For Ruffed Grouse, I use the 1oz 12ga loads at about 1150 fps from RST. pretty much exclusively. One of the loads I tried previously was pretty anemic, I can't remember if it was the Falcon Lite, or Ultra light. They work on thin skinned birds, but I just have no confidence in them.
I hunt over dogs, and most of my shots are close, and my chokes quite open. I don't like shot up birds.
For PHEASANT, I exclusively use the "Best Grade" 1oz #5 load, at 1175fps A little bigger pellet, I use a mod/full choke combo, and try to hit them in the head.
I can kill them cleanly as far as I can hit them with that cartridge.
As they say, they are "Just Right".
And I've killed bushel baskets full of birds with that load out of a variety of early American doubles.
You pick those two loads, and you'll be set.
I should also add, I detest blown up birds, and work to eliminate them.
