I think you would like 5's a bit better. Find some 3 1/4-1 1/4-5's .. No need for magnums ..
Shot a couple Pheasants with 7.5's out of a 16-thought I was out of 6's, then found some later in my bag-today at around real close and another at perhaps 25. Hit them hard. Bud used 6's. One at around 20 and then made an excellent shot at around 45. It just collapsed. The one at 20 turned into a runner that Toby brought back after being gone for 15 minutes. Center them and most everything works at normal ranges. However, 5&6's gives one some room for error when they get out a bit.
A good retriever saves many days no matter what size shot we use.
