Rifle and pistol ballistics are readily available and used by many enthusiastic hunters to judge their gun's abilities. Usually, they are concerned about bullet drop, but on larger game, residual energy levels are also a concern when distances increase. I've not seen this type of data published for shotshell residual energy/velocity. I think it'd be helpful to the hunter. The smaller shot, as we all know looses it's ability to penetrate adequately a given target more quickly than larger shot as the distance increases.
I'm guessing the guys that regularly use what is percieved as smaller than the norm shot size successfully, shoot relatively close shots. I don't imagine anyone is suggesting #8s for shooting roosters at 40 yds, especially for a tailpipe shot.
