Tom take it from experience it does not take too much recoil to damage what is perceived to be sound wood. My 1935 vintage Sterlingworth developed an internal crack in the web and I have never use a load of more that 1 1/8th ounce at 1200 fps. Now I use 1 ounce loads for pheasant, Prairie Grouse and Sage Grouse and 7/8th ounce for quail.