How tough IS a pheasant ????

[Double Trouble]

I know some people hunt grouse with # 8 shot...so I was wondering - would I be insane to hunt pheasant (stocked birds, not the wiley wild ones) with # 7 shot (vs. my usual # 6) ????

I am using a light ( 1 1/2 dram) black powder 16 gauge load (fiber wads, no plastic shot cup) with only 3/4 ounces of shot. I am considering the # 7 shot in an effort to improve pattern density, since I lose a lot of pellets with the fiber wads & over-shot card. (...and with only 3/4 ounces of shot, there's only about 165 # 6 pellets to begin with.)

Any experience with this odd size (# 7) ?

Thanks !

John