[Southpaw]

Thanks for your efforts and sharing Todd. I think its interesting. Typically the smallest I like to go is 8 shot on quail and dove.

I still remember one cold day trying to break some cold clay targets stored in the barn when trying out a new 28 gauge and all I could find was #9 shot for it. Pretty frustrating knowing your hitting the target solid at about 15 yards and nothing breaking but seeing dust fly off. Then to pick up a 20 gauge with 7.5 shot at same distance and powder them. I know live game is not a clay target but at the time felt like I was shooting sawdust and that was 9 shot. 10 or smaller shot sounds almost like shooting talcum powder, but hey like most trying to keep open mind and indifferent and let your scientific approach playout.

BTW Tom I think you sharing what those old timers did is neat and appreciate your comments as well as many others do. They obviously used what they thinked worked for them and the given parameters and conditions of supply, demand and pricing. Hard to argue with their results. I am sure they maybe had to balance it in their thought process of which to use. Use 8 shot and kill the bird but not be able to sell it at premium price because shot up some, or shoot smaller shot and get em quick not have meat torn up. Like I said different pot they were hunting for maybe.