Bob Brister The Art and Science of Shotgun shooting remains the premier work on the subject.
Several things I have concluded with much shooting.
1. The best performing loads for each gauge are the nominal ones; 1 1/8 for 12, 1 for 16, 7/8 for 20, etc.
2. The concept of a true square load is that the height of the shot column equals its diameter. I know of no real evidence that this concept means a better load nor does it make sense to me that it would. It just sounds nice.
3. The best velocities are from about 1150 to 1200 for the nicest pattern.
4. Overloading shot beyond optimum for the gauge results in stringing, which may be beneficial in a crossing target. For a straight away target I don’t think it makes any difference.
5. Underloading shot results in holes in the pattern.
6. Too much velocity , much above 1200, can result in a hole in the center of the pattern.
You asked about a square load. I said what is really meant by that term, and to reiterate, I think it’s something the writers in the shooting magazines talk about without showing test results and that is without basis.
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