I have to admit to never having heard of the 96:1 `rule` and thank you for revealing it - a handy `rule of thumb`. The standard 2 1/2" cartridge load in the UK was 1 1/8" oz by the way though 1 oz loads are at least as popular nowadays. Yup, agreed, the longer the shot `column` for any particular bore/gauge, the more `stringing` with a consequent degradation of pattern.