I thought we were talking about field guns. A 9+ lb gun soaks up a lot of recoil. I only use the 3/4oz load for woodcock. Pheasants get 1 to 11/4 oz. For clays more choke helps for longer shots. Around here sporting courses are short, skeet in the woods. Just to satisfy your curiosity try some 3/4 oz loads when you aren't with your friends or try to get them to give you a couple bird handicap. Use a tight chokes and see what happens. You may be surprised if you don't talk yourself into missing because you don't trust the load.