i never liek to shoot any where over 45 yards normally, but with my 11-87 SPS Supermag shooting Hevi-13 #6 3 1/2" and a UnderTaker choke i took a bird at 61 yards. he was walkign the other way after hanging up i i wanted him bad so i but the fiber optics just over his head and he went down, not hard like a 10 yard shot but he went down and flopped a bit.i never imagined i wouldget him at thatdistance but luck was most defintly a part of it. my pattern at 50 yardsis about 30 pellets in a 12 inch circle. i figure he wasnt hit with many but it really only takes one in the right spot. i have dropped geese at 55 yards but that is a little different. a 10 gauge would prolly do the same but the new 12ga. 3 1/2" loads out there will equal a 10 ga. most days. for recoil and power.