I used to shoot Pheasants in Pointing Dog Field trials. If a trainer said to go ahead and shoot, you better be sure of a downed bird.
I did that as well, in the late 60's and the 70's. I agree that 71/2's worked well on pen raised birds over dogs. Heck, I've killed wild roosters with #9's a few times, but I do not suggest that at all, on either pen raised or wild birds.
I don't have a bird dog any more, so I need the wild rooster dead in the air, and more often than not, #4 lead will do it. But, just in case the wind picks up and the shots become longer, I will have either #2 lead with me or #4 Hevi-Shot, depending on which gun and gauge I am using.
Frequently, I'll have #4 lead in the right barrel and the 'stronger' stuff in the left.
