When you say the HB pigeon was no good why was that? Did the gun cycle them OK? Where you not hitting well?

I tend to stick to 30gr 6's for most of my shooting, they should be fine in most cases. I use Lylevale or Ely Clear Pigeon.

3.5" steel is over kill and an expensive way to go pigeon shooting. Also is the gun proofed for steel?

Chokes, I dont get too hung up on chokes and dont even know what the shooking is on most of my shotguns. None are interchangable as well. (The number of people with changable chokes who dont ever change them is very high)

1/2 choke is fine in most cases I would imagine.

I would also suggest you pattern the gun so you can see where you are sending the shot when you shoot it, this might give a clue and point you to a change in aiming point/lead.

HTH

Jerry