I have shot a lot of quail oiver the years, use a 12 bore, middle of the road choke, use #8 skeet loads with the softest shot you can buy. But pattern the gun first, at close ranges you will pulverise the little fellas. Great sport, and good eating. Skin them , dont pluck them, wrap in the fattiest bacon you can find, and roast them in a pan with cloves of garlic. Yum, yum.