But then, I've been using #8's since I started turkey hunting.
It only takes "ONE" shot to the brain or CNS to anchor a bird. I prefer pattern density over larger shot.
Lead #8's or heavy #8's ??
Well, you can't get "chilled" shot any longer, so I just opt for plain Jane old lead #8's.
I did kill a bird a couple of years back with some #7.5's I dug out of a garbage can! ๐
Back in 1988, I started a new job. One of the supervisors was a "garage sale" nut. The subject of shotguns shells came up. He had bought a chest of drawers. When he got it home, one of the drawers had a buttload of 16 gauge ammo in it.
"I don't have a 16 gauge. Do you want it?"
Not being one to turn down free ammo, I accepted!
The next day, he brought me one of those small bathroom garbage cans half full of ammo. High velocity 7.5's and field load 8's. Probably 6 or 7 boxes total.
They had to be 10 years old. They still work very well.