When did we fall into this 1400 FPS insanity? I’ve killed a literal ton of game using an ounce at 1150 FPS. Thousands of Dove, hundred of Quail and more than a thousand Ducks in my youth. Could any of them been more dead if I boosted the velocity 250 FPS, or increased shot by a fraction? A few who got away might have been brought to bag but I bet the temptation to shoot birds further away would in the end cause more crippling.
Now late season ducks and geese, over big water, do take a lot of shot to bring them down. But I did so with 1 3/8 or 1 1/2 ounce at 1150-1200 FPS for years. I see so many “hunters” who blame the arrow not the Indian, themselves, for their misses. Give me a Bismuth load at 1200 FPS in a reasonable shot size and let me limit my shits to those I took in my youth then I have me need for 1400fps.
It is interesting that modern loads are hotter than what many assume, but most were designed after the double gun was in rapid decline. Safe in pump guns and semi automatic guns for sure and many of the later doubles. But dead is dead to me. The extra punishment on my shoulders from recoil does not appeal to me. And as Larry points out often the best pattern is well below maximum velocity. I had the same experience when shooting rifles. Rarely were the best groups produced by the hottest loads.
