10 gauge buckshot, anyone? (might be the start of a buckshot thread!)

TheCoachZed

TheCoachZed

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I bought my 10 gauge with intentions of goose hunting, but its potential for deer hunting has not gone unpondered. I hunted deer with 12-gauge buckshot at close range for several years, and thought about trying the Big 10 for the same, maybe get a little extended range.

However! I did a bit of research and it seems Federal is the only major company even loading the stuff anymore (that I could find) and their 00 load is 18 pellets, same as their 3.5-inch 12 gauge load. Bummer! And I can probably find 3.5-inch 12 gauge 00 loads here in Canada, but haven't seen the 10 gauge loads anywhere, only slugs ...

So! Anyone hunt with 10 gauge buck? I guessed that, like 12 gauge, it would work best with #1 Buck, if you loaded it yourself ... but that was just a guess. I would bet that a #4 load would have a tremendous amount of pellets in it.

My favourite 12 gauge load was the 8-pellet Hornady Superperformance 2 3/4, as it was the only shell I could get in town with the FliteControl wad (called something else in the Hornady shells). And hey, if anyone knows where I could find some 10 gauge buck in the Maritimes, I'm all ears ... although it's looking like I'm back to the Hornady loads again. Or the crossbow .... sigh .... why do all the deer have to hide in fields close to people's houses, instead of out in the woods where I can use my rifle?
 
I have a buddy that hunts with the bps10g.ihave seen him shot deer with it with buckshot and it worked very well out to 40 yards no problem .I have never patterned his gun to see what it will do. But he loves it ..Dutch
 
I am a lover of the 10 for hunting, so I have to wade in on this one.
Your comment about extended range with the 10 ga is not even close to reasonable.
No offence intended I assure you.
Simple physics will tell that a sphere of a designated wt. launched at a determined velocity will deliver a known amount of inertia to the target.
Whether it is 10, 12, 20 or 410 the end ballistic result in terms of "killing power" is the same.
The only difference in real terms is the density of shot on target.
Clearly 25 #2 pellets on target will have a greater impact than 5.
Personally..... #4 buck under 40 yes is my favourite.
Shoot the heck out of your 10, and let the rest be jealous in their ignorance.
 
The heaviest handloads I see in my manuals for number 4 buck is 48 pellets which is disappointing. I see 3.5" 12 loads with 54 so I am left wondering why the 10 can't do better.
 
thegunnut said:
I am a lover of the 10 for hunting, so I have to wade in on this one.
Your comment about extended range with the 10 ga is not even close to reasonable.
No offence intended I assure you.
Simple physics will tell that a sphere of a designated wt. launched at a determined velocity will deliver a known amount of inertia to the target.
Whether it is 10, 12, 20 or 410 the end ballistic result in terms of "killing power" is the same.
The only difference in real terms is the density of shot on target.
Clearly 25 #2 pellets on target will have a greater impact than 5.
Personally..... #4 buck under 40 yes is my favourite.
Shoot the heck out of your 10, and let the rest be jealous in their ignorance.
Click to expand...

More pellets on target is what I meant. I am aware that the 10 shoots factory shells slower than a 12 gauge 3.5, etc. But in theory, the 10 should pattern better for more pellets on target.
 
I purchased from Prophet River these very same Federal Premium 00 buckshot shells.

Out of my Ruko single shot it gave an exceptionally tight pattern at 25 yards. About 8-10 inches IIRC.

Recoil was somewhat of a wow factor though. Not really a biggy for us Canadians harvesting a deer, I think so myself.
 
Last edited:
And it does pattern better.
More pellets on target with equal ballistic performance per pellet.
If you are a handloader try itx shot for birds.
Expensive, but hits like lead.
Shoot steel when you can, but when needed change up to the polymer shot for results on the higher flyers.
You first investment should be a "terror tube" 720 choke tube. Good investment for every type and size of shot.
Shoot it and enjoy it..
 
thegunnut said:
And it does pattern better.
More pellets on target with equal ballistic performance per pellet.
If you are a handloader try itx shot for birds.
Expensive, but hits like lead.
Shoot steel when you can, but when needed change up to the polymer shot for results on the higher flyers.
You first investment should be a "terror tube" 720 choke tube. Good investment for every type and size of shot.
Shoot it and enjoy it..
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, both my 10s have fixed choke (a Spanish Double and an NEF single shot).

I really like shooting the NEF, but shells are pretty hard to find around here. Particularly niche loads like 00 buck.
 
B said:
The heaviest handloads I see in my manuals for number 4 buck is 48 pellets which is disappointing. I see 3.5" 12 loads with 54 so I am left wondering why the 10 can't do better.
Click to expand...

For many years Federal used to sell a #4 buckshot load for the Magnum 10 that ran about 57 (?) pellets in this shotshell.

One reference was Gun Digest circa 1977.
 
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