RE: max distance with a smoothbore shotgun
i killed a small buck about 5 yrs ago with an 20 gauge 870 with a improved cylinder choke at 168 yds ( at least thats what the nikon rangefinder said) i held the crosshairs of my 2.5 power scope right on the top of his back above the shoulder, he ran about ten yards and died a perfect heart shot..........it was all luck though.......i normal estimate the longest shots at about 100 yds