Eightbore, have you patterned HS to compare with lead? I've never used the stuff, not being a waterfowler and not hunting upland game very often where nontox is required. However, my understanding is that HS patterns extremely tight, which might make up for at least part of the advantage in pellet count of a heavier lead load. That being said, whenever I've patterned buffered lead, it also delivers very tight patterns through tight chokes.