Better reread all of that. It is a matter of pellet count plus energy. It is normally accepted that a load should have a minimum of 188 pellets inorder to assure a pattern density of .25 pellets per square inch for Mallard sized birds. (or that we reduce or expand the pattern diameter inorder to have the desired pattern density) The energy the pellet retains is determined by the speed and the weight of the pellet. The simple fact is that a #4 steel pellet weighs less than a #6 HS pellet. (#6 HS has 235ft lb/in2 at 45yds when fired at 1325fps, while a #4 steel pellet would need to be fired at about 1700fps to do the same)
There is no factory #4 steel load which has 235ed at 40 yards, therefore my comment that it should not be considdered.
Now if my norm was to hunt a timber hole where you can't even see a duck at over 25 yds, much less get a shot at one past that distence, then of course my load choices would be different than it is. Here in Utah we will often spot birds a mile or more away, and then it is up to good calling, good positioning and decoy use that we get a chance at them. So why would I even considder limiting myself to a 25 yard range.
While I would guess that my average shot is closer to 40 feet than it is to 40 yards, those 40 yard shots are by no means out of the question.
What I personally do is always choke my gun for what I anticipate will be my average shot, and load my gun for what I considder would be the worst shot that I am willing to take. Simply put this means a little less choke and a little larger or heavier shot.
tom
