eightbore, Brister makes pretty much the same point in his book. He points out that the same choke/load combination is a handicap at closer ranges. But if you're going to shoot long, you need tight patterns and large shot.

I've done a bit of testing with the new 1500 fps lead loads. In terms of pattern density, they lose in comparison to both the Super-X type loads (3 3/4 DE, 1 1/4 oz, 1330 fps) and the old 1220 fps Super Pigeon loads. I found a slight advantage to the
Super Pigeons over the Super-X, but not very much. I don't know why we have this desire for bigger and faster, because they certainly don't seem to be better.