RE: What would you carry? (load for Quail/Pheasant combo)
I ended up shooting the 20ga w/ the 1oz loads of #7.5 (Remington Express). I THOUGHT I had a modified in the gun and an Improved Cyl in my bag when I packed the night before, but it turned out to be an Improved Skeet. It was 8 degrees F (windchill well below 0) in the morning and a high of 14, and the guide had great pointers. The birds were all holding super tight, so I went to the Imp Skeet and had no problems at all. Had one phesant that flushed way out and didn't get a chance at it due to my light choke (flushed to the woods and I wouldn't have had a shot until 40-45yards, so I didn't fire). Otherwise took them down just fine (although due to the cold I was wearing a little too much for fast gun work, at 5'7" I have short arms so I was snagging a little brining the gun up).
It was lucky that I brought a spare gun though, my buddy brought the wrong tube set (didn't match the gun be brought) and had a full in the gun, so he ended up shooting my 12ga w/ Imp Cyl.