BTW, I've read that shells which mix shot sizes don't work very well, because while the smaller shot fill in the gaps of the larger shot, the higher drag-to-mass ratio means they separate out during flight. I wonder what experiments have been done with using a mixture of denser small shot with less-dense large shot? Since lead is cheaper and less dense than other materials, I would think mixing large lead shot with smaller tungsten or bismouth shot would be cheaper than filling the entire shell with the smaller more expensive shot.
I’ve never heard of such experiments, although with the new Taurus Judge pistol, some personal defense ammo is mixing sizes (such as the Winchester PDX).
Large lead shot is now only used for defense, deer (buckshot still is popular is some places) and in rare cases turkey.
Small shot does slow down considerably faster than even minimally larger shot. The range I shoot at limits shot to no larger than 7.5, because 6 (not much bigger) can reach the access road.
The tiny #12 shot in .22 shot capsules will only travel about 100 feet.