For what its worth and because the original question was about hunting with gaugemates (gauge reducers):
This thing
was shot with these things
They aren't gaugemates but they are gauge reducers - Little Skeeters from Browning.
I would recommend at least two pairs for hunting, one pair loaded up and in your gun and another loaded up and ready to go in for an instant reload if other birds are coming in or for a back-up shot. You can then poke out the empty shells at your leisure.
All the best
Skeeterbd
