There is one reason why you may want to keep velocity down just a little I don't know if this is still a factor but in the early days of Bi loads, pellets would fragment, presumably on impact (with bone?) and presumably faster velocities would cause more of that. Fractured pellets do not penetrate much further of course.

Last year, I found two fragmented pellets (#5) in a mallard shot at about 30 yds, maybe a little less. Those are the only two pellets I have ever seen. One pellet was lodged in the ball ball of the humerus and the other had penetrated the sternum's keel. I do not know what the velocity was, but I don't get too carried away with fps stats, so probably not more than 1250. Otherwise, I've never seen a fractured pellet in any bird. I have not been shooting a lot of waterfowl until last year however. Pheasants have much lighter bones.

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BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)
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