coosa, JR,
I've heard of "golden pellet" shots over the years that have anchored birds, but as has been mentioned before, you don't hear about the missed or wounded birds at excessive distances. When I got rid of my 10 gauges decades ago, one of my guns went to a man in SC. The loads we used in the 10's were 2 1/8 oz big shot (BB's where legal) and St. Louie Threes #3, 2.5 oz without a wad collar in the right barrel. It was for close shots. The man shot a fall bird with it in the Upper Piedmont and killed it with a single BB at a measured 100 yards. A friend who hunted with him verified it. This story isn't told to glamorize or endorse it, but just to point out that some incredible distances are shot by folks who shouldn't do it. Gil