Looks like your dad is shooting them with #5 and off of a branch, or powerline. Pretty tight pattern. Oh and I know they don't make that #5 lead anymore. Back in the day that shot would make a duck fold up like a wash cloth.
Do they even make lead shot anymore? Bismuth is not as good as lead and way more expensive. Steel shot sucks.
Nah just flying straight overhead. We both use 7.5s. 8s are good if they are real close but always seem to cripple a lot more with 8s. 7.5s drop em and as long as they aren't right on you they don't tear em up to bad.
