I think your patternmaster patterns looked more even.
Recommended patterning circle is generally 30". I like to pattern at 30 and 40yds.
I used to buy into looser chokes for steel shot and recommended shot sizes. 20 years of adult duck hunting experience(average of 45 + days/year) MS flyway from IL to LA with trips out west have changed my mind.
When shooting mostly mallards at that 25-35 yd range I like MOD and 3" 1 1/4 oz BBs. Definitely nothing smaller than 2s after the first week of NOV unless in a very tight hole low wind.
Down here where we shoot mostly greys and divers, I shoot 3" 1 1/4 2s all season.
The larger shot sizes cause more trauma and replicate the impact on birds that smaller lead shot achieved through shot deformation.
Later in the season bird plumage seems denser and heavier shot penetrates better. An example is January mallards out west demonstrate that well when you hear the shot hitting them and they fly off. Larger shot sizes seem to fly better in windy conditions and lend themselves better to those long follow up shots in the wind.
Full chokes don't seem to agree with theses larger shot sizes, displaying that erratic pattern you see in a couple of your pics.
Cheaper shells like Xperts, sportsman, etc...cost savings' are achieved partly through less cost/effort smoothing shot. These less rounded pellets fly more erratically as you see in some of your pics. Cut some open and compare sometime. Dry lok vs Xperts. Nitrosteel vs sportsman etc...
As other posters have commented, experimentation with specific gun/choke/shell combos is essential.
Train yourself to establish two shot pictures on the bird you target. This allows you to check your work. You will find you have better follow up shots if needed, mark birds better and "shoot your bird to the water" when dealing with brushy conditions or tough birds that like to make a run for it
Sorry for the long post. I hope this helps reduce your lost birds as it has mine.