The key to this is... if the load was accurate. And I agree, I can take loose powder, and make it do the same thing. But if PELLETS were accurate and lets say a lighter load was not, and I was confronted with distance.. I would shoot the three pellets.

150 Grains of pellet is equal to 150 grains of loose as far as I know. The change comes when your shooting Triple Seven pellets and loose Triple Seven powder. And Muley, you're right three pellets do have a pretty good kick. Which is one reason I never shoot that. Also pellets to me are just a fun thing to shoot. Other wise I shoot loose powder 99% of the time.