10ga. Waterfowling Guns? Opinions?

Sheephunter stick to your 12 i'll stay with the my 10 as far as sammi goes thats for north america .
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Truthfully I'm not making a case for either and feel both are great choices. I just think that guys that feel the 10 gauge is vastly superior to the 3.5" 12 gauge are fooling themselves and from all the info I can gather they are....

I'd never ask anyone not to stick to their favourite 10 gauge....it's a great waterfowl gun......

Unlike most threads on here, this was not a "mine's better than yours" affair......just talking guns with guys that know......
 
sheephunter said:
Those were actually factory loads that I quoted.....

I agree with the pattern density but that can achieved with the 3.5" 12 gauge as well....possibly not as well due to taller shot stack but I wonder if it is enough for a real world difference??

I agree that larger shot size would retain a bit more energy but you could do that with the 12 gauge 3.5" as well.

Again, not knocking the 10 as it's a grand old gauge that definitely had its day and is still having its day but I can't help but think that those that feel it's far superior to the 12 gauge 3.5" aren't just kidding themselves....and possibly shooting beyond the ethical capabilities of the shotgun??????
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Never ment to infer the same pattern density and velocities couldn't be achieved or obtained with the 3.5" 12ga or that the 10 is superior. The bottem line for me is I'm well pleased with the end results, patterns & game, I get with my SxS 10ga. If I wasn't, I'd be shopping and would likely go 3.5" 12ga as that seems to be todays choice, and in a SxS if possible.
Again, the patterening I did was quite some time back and as I recall, the patterns from my present 10ga were noticeably tighter than from the previous one, that's why & when I got rid of the first one. I'll have to repattern and record the results. Seems that the best patterns was with the old Federal Premium, of which I still have a 'few' boxes.;)
 
can-man said:
nobody does just to point out if they do will a 12 become extinct ?
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Considering the SAMMI ratings on the 20 gauge and hull capicity, it could never achieve performance the same as the 3.5" 12 gauge, unlike the 3.5" 12 gauge which has not only achieved but if you are a factory ammo guy, surpassed the performance of a 10 gauge in most cases. Not really sure I understand your point.
 
Johnn Peterson said:
The velocities of 1550 f/sec for 1 1/2oz loads and 1500 f/sec for 1 5/8oz in 12ga 3.5" 'seem' to be the exception rather than the rule.
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Im wouldn't say that.....they are readily available and fall within SAMMI pressures.........sure you can buy lighter rounds but that doesn't make the heavier ones the exception
 
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Johnn Peterson said:
My only dilemma at present is obtaining a supply of Bismuth or hevi-shot. Again, because of tight patterns, I don't want to touch/alter the chokes just to go for steel shot.
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I have never used hevi-shot in a bore that was originally choked for lead, because I was under the impression that hevi-shot was harder on the bore than steel? I thought it was designed to be an improvement over steel, but required a steel proof bore? For this reason, there is a softer version of hevi-shot being made.
 
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sheephunter said:
Im wouldn't say that.....they are readily available and fall within SAMMI pressures.........sure you can buy lighter rounds but that doesn't make the heavier ones the exception
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Asking or suggesting those velocities may be the exception rather than the rule was because other than the example you've given, I haven't seen any other similar references to velocities at that level. Not saying there aren't any others, just that I haven't been able to find them. Most for the 3.5" 12ga. mirror those of the 10ga. 3.5".
 
Covey Ridge said:
I have never used hevi-shot in a bore that was originally choked for lead, because I was under the impression that hevi-shot was harder on the bore than steel? I thgought it was designed to be an improvement over steel, but required a steel proof bore? For this reason, there is a softer version of hevi-shot being made.
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I've heard similar info which is why I plan to go with Bismuth. I've contacted the manufacturer and a distributor in southern AB, and have recieved reload data, specs as well as word on associated products they have available. So, next move is to get my hands ona few different sizes of that shot.
 
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