Researcher, very good info on the shells. Hadn''t thought about the perspective of using lighter loads a 3 inch shell to obtain better performance. Wonder if that's why my 1oz with 3 drams BP pattern so well in the extra tight chokes....because the gun was made that way? I don't have any intention of using heavy 3" loads and I'm aware of the potential to split the stock. If I was going to use the gun at all I would glass in the stock.

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.