While I have no factual date to back this up, here's some opinions from a group of old Kansas boys who have shot nothing but wild pheasants for 40 years or so: 1) #6 shot patterns better than #5, 2) 1-1/4oz in a 12 gauge is preferred, 3) one of us prefers 1oz of 6's in a 16 gauge, but I won't say who
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