When I was shooting trap we used 12 ga. I took my grandmothers .410 out one time, not a good gun for clays but it sure was pretty. She used it to kill snakes without having to get too close. 
In an episode a few years back, I accidentaly shot my dad with #4 shot from a 12g. He was about 80 yards away and the BB pierced his upper lip. So 30 yards with 7 1/2 shot COULD happen. Of course I have no proof, but I am guessing that the shooter was about half the distance than what is being stated by the media.