Little round balls are ballistically very inefficient. The faster they goes, the quicker they slows, & particularly as they exceed the speed of sound, where drag increases way out of proportion to their increase in velocity. Comparing just #8 & #9 at normal Skeet velocity (1200fps) then the #8, arrives at 40yds with 5½% more velocity (660fps vs 625fps) & due to their heavier weight carry 60% more energy (1.04FtLb vs .65FtLb).
Bumping #9's up to ridiculus velocities in an attempt to increase their puny killing power is somewhat akin to P*****G into the Wind. The low velocity principal was based upon these "Facts". Start a pellet at just under Mach 1 & make it large enough for desired energy at anticipated range. Even a #6 for instance can be started at only 1135fps & arrive at 40yds doing 695Fps with an accompaning energy of 2.08FtLbs. You could attempt to speed up #9's until they melted from the heat of air friction & never arrive at that power level.
Last edited by 2-piper; 06/16/09 08:49 AM.