Stan, an experienced shooter has to evaluate shots to determine whether his bullets will kill the bird. It is the same in a live bird shoot as it is in sporting clays. Bring some big stuff just in case. I we are shooting soft birds, we shoot soft shells.
Bill,
While I completely agree with that premise, and I do so when hunting, it is counterproductive for me when competing. It is critical for me to be as consistent as humanly possible in every way I can. I want the push against my shoulder to be exactly the same every time I pull the trigger. Anytime I start switching anything in the middle of a round.... chokes, shells or anything else, I am inviting problems into my mental game. If I think 1 oz. loads will break every bird out there on a course, I will use them. If not, I will go with the 1 1/8 oz. loads with the supreme confidence that I am prepared for anything.
SRH
Stan, This sort of goes along with the premise that the least little thing, eg, a change in choke, change in shells, someone talking behind you, the wind pops up, a chg in overcast, a car driving by, a plane overhead, a dog barking, and a plethora of other distractions, will always balk some shooters!
