Pete, absolutely correct. And the interesting point is that the modern progressive powders produce higher velocity for a given shot load and do it at a lower chamber pressure than the same amount of earlier smokeless powders. So if you want to think about modern powders as being easier on the barrels, I think that would be right. The recoil, as you note, is a different issue.
Some other sporting clays fellows and I were sitting out the rain one day and started looking at the difference in lead that you would have to pull if you dropped from say 1200 fps to 1150. On a 1 oz load, it made a big difference in recoil and about a 4 in difference in lead at a usual crossing range of 30-35 yards. Thats what I remember, it would be interesting to work through the lead tables again.
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