Rod is your gun a 20ga? If it is 7/8 or 1oz should be fine. For most shooting I will take a more open choke over a tighter choke any day. Wal mart usually has skeet loads or sporting clay loads that should pattern very well for you. I personally would rather hit 80% of my birds at 35yds or less than hit 50% or less at longer range. Most upland hunting especially quail are killed at 35yds or less. Next time you have a minute have your friend take a soda can and pace off 40yds. The can will represent the size of a quails body minus the wings. Now draw that size on a pattern sheet and take a few shots at it and count the holes. Without being rude does your friend really know what he is talking about? So what if some of your shot is hitting a few branches, if your killing birds what does it matter.