2’s are standard for ducks with steel shot, I think you’re remembering the good old days and an ounce and a quarter of lead 6’s. I still have some of those loads, kill btr than steel 2’s any day. Now they are just good for head shooting turkeys.
You’re right - we still use lead shot in hunting tests. We’re miles and miles from any body of water larger than Lake Lanier! In fact, it’s pretty common for the judges to make some sort of throwaway comment like, “Well here we are on a duck hunt on this little tiny pond . . . “ Although we did have a problem one year because semi-migrating Canadas kept settling in the middle of the water series and interfering with the dogs (they were absolutely without fear). Turned out a nearby neighbor had been FEEDING the darned things. They must have thought the dogs had a sandwich or two hidden away somewhere.