Run with the Fox, that Winchester test was fine and he stated how good the Winchester 21 was because it didn't give up the ghost when a Purdey soon did. Bit like testing a John Deere tractor against an Aston Martin by driving them both across a ploughed field to see which went farthest and the tractor coming out tops in the test therefore being acclaimed the better vehicle.
I would go with the bad fit and headspace being the likely problem. Curiously though, a change of cartridge may be a solution. I can recall the old Gevelot Club cartridge. No matter what gun I used after six shots I had a throbbing headache and ten shots would have had me done. That was with a 1 1/8th. ounce load. I put it down to the frequency of the vibrations they caused which was not compatible with whatever was inside my head.
Wood pigeon shooting is just about the best and most testing sport. A good consistant shot with those will find everything else easy. I'm crow shooting tonight, then wood pigeon Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday and will hope to squeeze another day in between if I can. Lagopus.....
