Mark, I'm not the feller you're looking to for scientific data but common sense tells me 3/4 ounce in a 12 will result in patterns more uniform with fewer flyers than any smaller gauge can deliver. There has to be far less pellet distortion and shorter shot string. I know my short tens delivering 1 1/4 ounce hit geese and ducks like being hit with a pie tin in the face. Same principle.

When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)