The pronouncements and denials of Mr. Winston's contentions is no surprise. Faith conquers all. Belief systems are incontestable. Simple facts are easily ignored when such overwhelming evidence of experience is available. Not to mention the superiority of Hogwarts Physics. And we all know that anyone else's data is prima facie inferior to our own regardless of derivation.
Shot deformation in the choke is generally considered to be the origin of the squashed hence the usual superiority of harder shot pattern-wise. I think I recall some patterning studies of plastic wad vs fiber that lent credence to that contention as well.
