The old 96:1 ratio of gun to shot weight is still a better determination for controlling recoil than the square load. With the square load in a 16 being only .79 oz the 96 ;1 ratio would give you a gun of 4 3/4 lbs. If one plans on using 1 oz loads the the Ratio gives a 6 lb gun weight, far more comfortable with continuous use of ounce loads.
I really failed to see anything at all in the above link which was much applicable to shotguns. Also it would seem that even Black Gunpowder improved a lot over the next decades of use. 1000 atmospheres (14,700 psi) was stated to be the maximum achievable pressure in a closed cell vessel. Some 100 years after this was written sporting shotguns were proofed at a higher pressure, with black gunpowder, than this & it wasn't done under a closed cell situation either.
PS; This has been an interesting thread, glad you posted your question Stan. I hope we answered it sufficiently to the fact the writer of the article just didn't word it good & that it should have applied to each component of the load & not the entire load
I agree the rule of 96:1 is a good one. I do not posit the square load as it is commonly defined is a good is a great rule save an unintended side effect of not overloading you gun
Do not agree with your definition of a square load in common parlance. It is attune to 7/8 in 20, 1 in 16 etc.
Do agree the square load is hogwash as an idea of some sort of magic.
My point is it does little harm if it keeps people from overloading their particular gauge of gun.
