My dad started us boys out with 2 3/4in 7 1/2 with 1 1/4 oz shot, 3 3/4 drams powder which is a high base load in the good ol 12 ga. I have killed all kinds of birds with this load, inc dove, quail, pheasants, pigeons, (wild variety), ducks, from teal all the way up to honkers and snows.
We patterned different loads at 35 yards, and 7 1/2 high base loads gave the best pattern density, in all 3 of our shotguns. And I do believe, have more than adequat knock down power. 7 1/2's don't break the wings of geese as well as bigger shot does, but with more bb's in the pattern, we found bb's in the head were the killers. For the last 30 yrs or so, since I do all my reloading, my load is 7 1/2's with a load of Herco, and Remington high base wads. For crows, I would not hesitate taking shots at 50yds and even a little farther with my reloads. If your lead is right on, these crows are DRT.
As for the 32gr Vmax. they also work on magpies
Overall I want a hard hitting (2 3/4" though...i knowww 3" would hit harder but I don't want the added recoil. Sorry, but I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to recoil 
), and long range shot that will stay together on the way out. Lets hear those opinons! I want everyones in here! 
