Gil, sounds like we hung out in the same circles, i guess since we've been In the game for over 40 years our paths have most likely crossed. I picked up a couple of Niels calls as well.
Most Of the pro staffers used a 10. With large shot. I alway thought why and what for, since most birds are killed within 40 yard. I can attest I took the road to perdition from light loads, to super heavy loads, and killed birds with those loads and missed a few with the same. But find myself back to 1 3/4 oz of 6s from a 3 inch 12.