I've hunted with 12 ga. guns almost my whole life, that's 54 yrs. of shotgunning for game. I've got some experience with both 20 ga. and even .410 bore guns on quail, etc, long before plastic shells and plastic shot cups came along.
With the old .410 bore paper shells, they'd kill fine as long as you did ask them to do so over 30 yds. out.
I found the 28 ga., with modern ammo, patterens fine all the way to 40 yds. with #7.5 shot. Even #5's look good for big birds like pheasants and Sage Grouse.
I found that, for some reason, I could shoot that 6.5 lb., 870 alot better on game than I could the 7-7 1/4 lb. 12's I've tried over the years. And it carries alot nicer for those long hikes into the high country for Blue Grouse and Mtn. Quail.
So, having done a few Chuckar hunts myself, I'd have no problem going after them with a light 28 rather than one of my 12's. E
