With regard to the post about hornets nest , # 8's in a 23/4 inch 12 ga. shell lacks enough power . It was funny seeing them peel out the bottom of the nest until I realized they were comming at us. We made it into the truck ( we were standing next to it ) . But the noise the hornets made bouncing off the glass was loud.
Penetration is good on game fer sure . Depending on game though a light fast bullet gives a flater bullet path which needs less correction when aiming . You need to strike a blance really. It all depends on shooter skill , distance to critter, bullet construction and how tuff critter is. Why shoot elk bullets at 100 lb white tail deer ? Or 180 gr 44's at elk ? Either might work but not the best choice really. Even cast bullets can be different in hardness and shape .