I think the longer sighting radius is a big deal. I have a Winchester Defender shotgun — 12 gauge, 18” barrel, cylinder bore, with a magazine that holds eight 2-3/4” shells. Years ago I saw advice from a source that is now long forgotten that #4 buckshot was quite lethal in home defense but reduced potential over-penetration in home walls. Made sense to me so that’s what I have. In a 2-3/4” shell there are 27 #4 buckshot, each having a diameter of .130”.
Shotgun patterns at close range are indeed tight. Folks sometimes wonder how they missed a turkey’s head with a shotgun. If the turkey gets too close, that tight turkey choke is not your friend. Might as well be shooting a rifle.
