I've been lucky, a buddys father passed and left 2 cases of Remingtons and I've been shooting them. But next year I'll be reloading if I can fund components
I have the LL Bean and one made by Orvis. The LL Bean is a little bigger and holds its shape better, but both work well. I can now pack my gun for hours and the gun mounts vary fast when its holstered
On the pheasant just look at the head and shoot for the head or you'll get caught up with how big they look with that long tail and shoot behind them and when a covey of quail flush try to just pick out one bird and shoot at it , if it falls pick out another if you have time and just shoot at...
I was a Goldens guy for 30 years then 8 years ago I hunted over a GWP for the first time, 3 months later I had one and have been hunting with them ever since Upland and Waterfowl. I still love Goldens and will some day have another. As for guns Im a O/U guy 20 & 28's are what I shoot these days