However the difference between the payloads in you 410 and the 12 bore simply creates a better denser pattern with the 12. It is not the flyers from shot deformation that is the major difference, it is the number of pellets
Actually, the first sentence above is more accurate than the second. It is not the number of pellets, in total, that even matters. It is the number of pellets at any target sized spot in that pattern, which is another way of referring to density. This is partially made up for by tightening choke with the smaller payload. It is conceivable that you could have just as dense a pattern from a full choke .410, with a 11/16 oz. payload, as you do with a 7/8 oz. 12 ga. load and a very open choke. The skill of the shooter then comes into play in a big way. The importance of fliers going to the fringe of the pattern is that they lessen the density.
Given sufficient pellet energy,
density ........ is what kills birds and breaks targets. Period.
SRH
