Dangit. The 100's of pheasants I've killed in South Dakota since moving here in 1996 weren't supposed to die when I hit them with the 7 1/2's? I guess some one forgot to tell me and the pheasants that. They work fine in South Dakota. Out of a 20 or 12 gauge. Like I said, know your effective range and shoot them in the head, they die. Shooting back and breaking a wing with a #4 cripples just the same as a 7 1/2.
I've heard it all before and been lauged at with the #3 and #4 shooters. I give them all the opportunity to prove their light load moxy and have yet to be taken up on it. Go stand at 30 yards and let me shoot you in the face with my 7 1/2 girly load. If you are afraid it may kill you I'm thinking it would do more damage to a 2lb bird.