Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips
Turkey Guns & Shooting => 10 Gauge Turkey Guns => Topic started by: mcw3734 on May 07, 2020, 01:46:09 AM
-
I started hunting turkeys as a teenager in the late 80's/early 90's in western New York. I shot a couple, but that all stopped when I left for college.
Fast forward to just a few years ago, now living in Idaho, and I decided to seriously get back into it. I didn't have a gun for it, but remembered as a teenager being in awe of the 10 gauge as the turkey weapon. So I overpaid for a mint condition SP-10 online and have killed 5 longbeards with it so far. I'm still in awe every time I look at it.
But as I started reacquainting myself with the sport, and reading forums like this, I learned about all the advances in shot. Heavyweight, TSS, and of course all the choke tubes and sights. Had I known all this before I got back into it, maybe I wouldn't have bought the 10.
It's not a machismo thing why I carry it. I put a lot on miles on and yes, it is heavy. But the recoil is tolerable even for my 5' 11", 160 lbs. frame and I feel good about sending lots of shot downrange for a clean kill. In this second chapter chasing turkeys all my shots, and several friends I have 'guided', have been no more than 30 yards. And I have the resources to invest in testing chokes and shooting TSS, so maybe I should be shooing a 3" 12 or 20?
So that's how I ended up carrying the 10 around. Basically, mentally I was still in 1987 when I started gearing back up in 2017. And I don't regret it, but I can see why it's a little ridiculous given the tools that are out there now.
Where are you all at with it?
-
I don't find hunting with a 10 gauge ridiculous at all. Any lead turkey load and a half decent choke will get you plenty good 40 yard performance. Recoil will be less than most 3.5 12 gauges firing the same ammo. Weight wise, there is only about a pound or so of difference between my bps and an 835 mossberg, which is a top turkey gun. I think the biggest drawbacks to 10 gauges is they will always be and feel bigger and bulkier than other gauges. Everyone loves light slim guns, myself included. That and ammo companies not keeping up with developing better loads like they have done with other gauges. My 10 is mostly used for goose hunting anymore, where it never fails to impress me.Paper ballistics are great and all, but my experience in the field has proven this gun to me. Hunting turkeys with it is like having an old classic car in the garage. Yea it has drum brakes and no air conditioning, but when you take it out for a spin, you can't wipe the smile off your face!
-
I enjoy hunting with my Browning BPS 10 ga. from time to time. I find I carry it less and less as I get older though. It is just getting heavy. I now hunt mostly with my Benelli Nova 20 ga. and Hevi-Shot Magnum Blends. I will never sell my 10 though. I agree it's like getting out my classic Redfire Metallic 2003 Ford Mustang GT convertible and going for a drive! It's just plain fun!
-
I enjoy hunting with my Browning BPS 10 ga. from time to time. I find I carry it less and less as I get older though. It is just getting heavy. I now hunt mostly with my Benelli Nova 20 ga. and Hevi-Shot Magnum Blends. I will never sell my 10 though. I agree it's like getting out my classic Redfire Metallic 2003 Ford Mustang GT convertible and going for a drive! It's just plain fun!
I would like to compliment you my fine sir on your great taste in firearms and cars!
-
I like the classic car analogy. Glad to know I'm not the only one who feels the 10 gauge has significant 'cool factor'.
-
Because I have tons of 10 gauge #4 loads. They work out of my factory full just fine to 40+ yards.
It may be a little heavy but I don't have far to travel on the places I hunt anymore.
I don't really need it but damn it works fine.
Killed my bird at about 25 yards this year. A 20 gauge with 1 oz of # 7 1/2s would have worked just as good but it isn't nearly as cool.
-
Nothing exemplifies a ubiquitous turkey gun as a 10 gauge, particularly a single shot. However I do not own one.
-
I love them, period I own 4.I don't care what the guys that can't handle the weight or recoil say ,I know they have gun envy. :smiley-char092:
-
:OGani:
I enjoy hunting with my Browning BPS 10 ga. from time to time. I find I carry it less and less as I get older though. It is just getting heavy. I now hunt mostly with my Benelli Nova 20 ga. and Hevi-Shot Magnum Blends. I will never sell my 10 though. I agree it's like getting out my classic Redfire Metallic 2003 Ford Mustang GT convertible and going for a drive! It's just plain fun!
I would like to compliment you my fine sir on your great taste in firearms and cars!
Thank you very much. Love Brownings and Benelli's. That Mustang is my baby. She has a white top and white leather interior. 17 years old and only 14K miles! Despite her age she really turns heads! Ha!
-
I love them, period I own 4.I don't care what the guys that can't handle the weight or recoil say ,I know they have gun envy. :smiley-char092:
Recoil??
I have shot a few 12 gauge pumps that were jut as bad or worse, particularly the 835s.
-
The ultimag will break a guy from hunting
-
:OGani:I enjoy hunting with my Browning BPS 10 ga. from time to time. I find I carry it less and less as I get older though. It is just getting heavy. I now hunt mostly with my Benelli Nova 20 ga. and Hevi-Shot Magnum Blends. I will never sell my 10 though. I agree it's like getting out my classic Redfire Metallic 2003 Ford Mustang GT convertible and going for a drive! It's just plain fun!
I would like to compliment you my fine sir on your great taste in firearms and cars!
Thank you very much. Love Brownings and Benelli's. That Mustang is my baby. She has a white top and white leather interior. 17 years old and only 14K miles! Despite her age she really turns heads! Ha! Benelli and browning guy here too, also have a 62 galaxie I enjoy taking out for a spin. great minds think alike!
-
Regarding the weight of the typical 10 gauge, I don't think it's any big deal to carry it, especially with a sling. I mean, come on. But when it comes to holding that gun in the ready position off your knee... that's when those little 20's that are nearly half the weight of my 11 lbs. SP-10 would be pretty sweet.
-
The ultimag will break a guy from hunting
What's funny is it's gotta be a fit thing.
I've shot oodles of 835's at the patterning board with 3.5" shells. I've never found a single one of them to be anywhere NEAR as hateful to shoot as my BPS 10. Now my kid....... he'll sit down behind the BPS and shoot a whole box if I'd let him. But it runs my thumb knuckle up under my cheekbone something awful !! And it's used my facenet to sand the skin off my cheek TWICE.
I've gone to a 20 gauge single barrel as my primary turkey gun. But the BPS will, no doubt, get some days afield, yet.
-
At the patterning board with a lead sled?
-
I’m using an sp10 mag. Little heavy but a 10ga just hits them different. Their chances are slim. Especially with tss out of one.
-
At the patterning board with a lead sled?
Nope. Don't own a lead sled. Just snuggled in and ride the wave.
-
I bought an sp-10 in the early 90s brand new. Bought a short rifle sighted barrel for it right away and have hunted with it ever since. Started with lead 4s and progressed to nitro heavy shot blends. Had a bad experience with them several years ago. I will leave it at that.
Started loading 2 1/2 ounces of 7.5 tss and got an Indian creek .690 for it a few years ago. Absolutely awesome gun. Pure killing machine. Several of my hunting buddies shoot the same gun and load and all are in absolute awe with it.
This season I added a sumtoy mount and a vortex venom. Wow, this is a game changer.
-
There is no load made commercially that hits harder in the shoulder than the Magblends out of the 10 gauge. 3.5" 2 3/8th oz...period. I've shot everything made. There isnt much! lol.
I imagine the 12 gauge 3.5 magblends 2 1/8oz or 2 1/4oz out of the ulti 835 would be absolute brutal as well.
They both make the fillings hurt. In my opinion.
-
I have a SP-10 but have never hunted anything but geese with it, my interest is sparked tho so I ordered a Indian Creek .690 for it a couple days ago. I tried some #6's out of the factory Improved Modified choke and it much prefers deuces and bb size shot over 6's.
-
I killed a gobbler yesterday at 45 yards leaving fast in a thicket,try that with your ss 410
-
I have a 10 Ga single barrel and an SP10 and carry both of them on long walks frequently. The single barrel I carry african safari style like a guy would carry a double rifle on his shoulder with barrel facing forward and it carries much better that way. I just found out about a friend that has a great condition Marlin 5510 Goose Gun in 10 Ga that I am currently trying to add to my collection. After that, adding an O/U 10 ga to the collection would have me set for life I guess.
-
I have the Marlin super goose 12
-
I have a SP-10 but have never hunted anything but geese with it, my interest is sparked tho so I ordered a Indian Creek .690 for it a couple days ago. I tried some #6's out of the factory Improved Modified choke and it much prefers deuces and bb size shot over 6's.
Try the Rhino 720. Its a beast of a choke and works well out of my NEF.
-
Thanks for the info!!!
-
I never had one or haf an interest in having one til a buddy at work talked me into his a few weeks ago. Since owning it iv got a .675 jebs and found several boxes of the old fed heavyweight 7s and she purrs out to 50. And coming from a 3.5 12g it dont kick a fraction as hard as my 535 i traded for it. I get the nostalgia and tradition but honestly I just love the way it looks and now love the way it shoots! Btw its an original bottomland sp10. Awesome gun!
-
I was the same way growing up hunting them in the late 70’s and and 80’s and couldn’t wait to get a 10. I’ve had a Ithaca Mag 10 and BPS 10 built by Mark Bansner and they were shooters, later picked up a sp10 in bottomland. Great memories carrying those guns. With the advancement in shells I moved on to 20’s and 12’s. I fully intend to pick up another Sp10.
-
I think everyone should hunt with what they like and how they like! 30-06 for Rabbit anyone? :smiley-patriotic-flagwaver-an
-
I think everyone should hunt with what they like and how they like! 30-06 for Rabbit anyone? :smiley-patriotic-flagwaver-an
I did shoot a cottontail once with a 308 Win. FMJ. :o I also shot one years ago with a revolver 44 Special 246 gr. RN Lead. :o
-
I think everyone should hunt with what they like and how they like! 30-06 for Rabbit anyone? :smiley-patriotic-flagwaver-an
I did shoot a cottontail once with a 308 Win. FMJ. :o I also shot one years ago with a revolver 44 Special 246 gr. RN Lead. :o
As stated anything legal is ok in my book. I have a very accurate 30-06 that I have killed a truck load of game with. A partition will almost always take the head off a rabbit and if not a short cut with a knife will and it will bleed out. Did not intend to hi jack this post: just making an observation.
-
I was the same way growing up hunting them in the late 70’s and and 80’s and couldn’t wait to get a 10. I’ve had a Ithaca Mag 10 and BPS 10 built by Mark Bansner and they were shooters, later picked up a sp10 in bottomland. Great memories carrying those guns. With the advancement in shells I moved on to 20’s and 12’s. I fully intend to pick up another Sp10.
Sounds like you typically hunt with a 12 or 20 now? If so, why did you switch (weight, $hells)? Would you now only hunt your 10 gauge for sentimental reasons?
I love my SP-10. But I'll admit, I'm halfheartedly shopping for a 20 gauge 11-87 to be used as a backup for turkey and other game. I wonder if I'll fall in love with it and make it my primary turkey gun.
-
Using my Bps 10 exclusively this season. My new 24" barrel and Indian creek .710 came in, so hopefully i can get a good day and get out to pattern it. I have a good variety of lead ammo to try out, should be fun!
-
I don't find hunting with a 10 gauge ridiculous at all. Any lead turkey load and a half decent choke will get you plenty good 40 yard performance. Recoil will be less than most 3.5 12 gauges firing the same ammo. Weight wise, there is only about a pound or so of difference between my bps and an 835 mossberg, which is a top turkey gun. I think the biggest drawbacks to 10 gauges is they will always be and feel bigger and bulkier than other gauges. Everyone loves light slim guns, myself included. That and ammo companies not keeping up with developing better loads like they have done with other gauges. My 10 is mostly used for goose hunting anymore, where it never fails to impress me.Paper ballistics are great and all, but my experience in the field has proven this gun to me. Hunting turkeys with it is like having an old classic car in the garage. Yea it has drum brakes and no air conditioning, but when you take it out for a spin, you can't wipe the smile off your face!
The reason ammo companies don't upgrade the 10ga ammo is because of old guns that came with 3.5" chamber like over a 100 years ago and would not be safe with higher pressures ammo-just to mention My 835 with 28" barrel Is 7lb,my bps 10ga with 28" barrel is 11lb
10ga pumps and especially autos are the sweetest shooting guns with serious loads -sxs 10s not so much even though they weight 11lb also
I use them all extensively -
10ga is like a barbell but it's so effective especially with big lead and steel pellets (12ga looks similar on paper but that's where it ends )and 10 is always a pleasure to shoot others not so much with heavy loads
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
I love them, period I own 4.I don't care what the guys that can't handle the weight or recoil say ,I know they have gun envy. :smiley-char092:
Recoil??
I have shot a few 12 gauge pumps that were jut as bad or worse, particularly the 835s.
Definitely -try Winchester 1300 with heavy 3" ouch
I don't find that bps 10ga kicks anywhere close to any of the 12ga pumps 3" or 3.5 with heavy loads and I shot most of them
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
There is no load made commercially that hits harder in the shoulder than the Magblends out of the 10 gauge. 3.5" 2 3/8th oz...period. I've shot everything made. There isnt much! lol.
I imagine the 12 gauge 3.5 magblends 2 1/8oz or 2 1/4oz out of the ulti 835 would be absolute brutal as well.
They both make the fillings hurt. In my opinion.
Maybe it's a fit thing -but 835 with basically the same load kicks way way more -guns are at least 3pounds difference mine 835 is 4lb lighter than my 10ga bps and i Filled both guns composite stocks with silicone
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
I bought an sp-10 in the early 90s brand new. Bought a short rifle sighted barrel for it right away and have hunted with it ever since. Started with lead 4s and progressed to nitro heavy shot blends. Had a bad experience with them several years ago. I will leave it at that.
Started loading 2 1/2 ounces of 7.5 tss and got an Indian creek .690 for it a few years ago. Absolutely awesome gun. Pure killing machine. Several of my hunting buddies shoot the same gun and load and all are in absolute awe with it.
This season I added a sumtoy mount and a vortex venom. Wow, this is a game changer.
Beautiful to hear -i have to start loading The same exact thing
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
I've had a sp10 23" since 95 ...brand new and have used primarily ever since , they shoot great
Everyone complaims about the weight , I find this odd because its not a quail gun ....turkey guns are basically a stationary target shotgun with extremely heavy recoil shooting at a small object (head and neck) the weight makes for a very stable shot and soaks up recoil
The current trend is for folks to go towards 20 and .410.shotguns ...have at it , makes you happy go for it , I used a .410 extensively as a youth on small game and when I began turkey hunting a 20 , I couldnt get farther away from.either one of those and dont even look in the rear view mirror about that ...thats my personal preference, I also like smooth peanut butter and I think those who like crunchy are "nuts"
The 10 gauge seems to be living on borrowed time and borrowed money in the industry...on paper the tungsten based shot and the advent of 3.5 12 gauges spell doom for the 10 gauges market share ...but on a chilly morning when you lift that 11 pound 10 gauge up on a huge goose or lower the hammer on that Gobbler...you will know what people in the know ...know that the 10 gauge has tremendous killing power
-
I was the same way growing up hunting them in the late 70’s and and 80’s and couldn’t wait to get a 10. I’ve had a Ithaca Mag 10 and BPS 10 built by Mark Bansner and they were shooters, later picked up a sp10 in bottomland. Great memories carrying those guns. With the advancement in shells I moved on to 20’s and 12’s. I fully intend to pick up another Sp10.
Sounds like you typically hunt with a 12 or 20 now? If so, why did you switch (weight, $hells)? Would you now only hunt your 10 gauge for sentimental reasons?
I love my SP-10. But I'll admit, I'm halfheartedly shopping for a 20 gauge 11-87 to be used as a backup for turkey and other game. I wonder if I'll fall in love with it and make it my primary turkey gun.
I switched primarily for the weight savings. Lot easier to hold and carry a 5.5 pound benelli 20 or 7 pound benelli 12. If i carry a 10 now it's for sentimental reasons, i still have some of the 3 ounce Nitro 4x5x7.5 copper loads. That was a deadly combo.
-
I've had a sp10 23" since 95 ...brand new and have used primarily ever since , they shoot great
Everyone complaims about the weight , I find this odd because its not a quail gun ....turkey guns are basically a stationary target shotgun with extremely heavy recoil shooting at a small object (head and neck) the weight makes for a very stable shot and soaks up recoil
The current trend is for folks to go towards 20 and .410.shotguns ...have at it , makes you happy go for it , I used a .410 extensively as a youth on small game and when I began turkey hunting a 20 , I couldnt get farther away from.either one of those and dont even look in the rear view mirror about that ...thats my personal preference, I also like smooth peanut butter and I think those who like crunchy are "nuts"
The 10 gauge seems to be living on borrowed time and borrowed money in the industry...on paper the tungsten based shot and the advent of 3.5 12 gauges spell doom for the 10 gauges market share ...but on a chilly morning when you lift that 11 pound 10 gauge up on a huge goose or lower the hammer on that Gobbler...you will know what people in the know ...know that the 10 gauge has tremendous killing power
Definitely true -
It probably has all to do with bigger bore having less shot string and burning powder more efficiently
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
I've had a sp10 23" since 95 ...brand new and have used primarily ever since , they shoot great
Everyone complaims about the weight , I find this odd because its not a quail gun ....turkey guns are basically a stationary target shotgun with extremely heavy recoil shooting at a small object (head and neck) the weight makes for a very stable shot and soaks up recoil
The current trend is for folks to go towards 20 and .410.shotguns ...have at it , makes you happy go for it , I used a .410 extensively as a youth on small game and when I began turkey hunting a 20 , I couldnt get farther away from.either one of those and dont even look in the rear view mirror about that ...thats my personal preference, I also like smooth peanut butter and I think those who like crunchy are "nuts"
The 10 gauge seems to be living on borrowed time and borrowed money in the industry...on paper the tungsten based shot and the advent of 3.5 12 gauges spell doom for the 10 gauges market share ...but on a chilly morning when you lift that 11 pound 10 gauge up on a huge goose or lower the hammer on that Gobbler...you will know what people in the know ...know that the 10 gauge has tremendous killing power
i just got my sp10 and iv got it almost setup the way i want it and buddy it shoots! 50yds is no problem at all and coming from a 3.5" 535 the recoil is almost non comparable. Hope people like apex keeps making shells cause I'm hooked on the 10!
-
Life is short. Hunt with what makes you happy.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Life is short. Hunt with what makes you happy.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
AMEN!!! :camohat:
-
When I first heard of them back in 96 when I was pretty much just starting out turkey hunting (Had only been deer hunting since 92 or 93) I wanted one in the worse way because simply put I wanted the massive delivery of payload to the turkey and I liked that all of my friends that got me into hunting were afraid to shoot one.
Now with my second car accident behind me and the after effects of that as well as 3 shoulder surgeries behind me I do not much care to own one, though to be perfectly honest as much as I know it would kill me to do it I would like to shoot one just once.
These days the loads are much better than they are now, I would have ended up with a 10 gauge if not for my car accident but now hunt with my 12 gauge 11-87 and since it came to me with money I got because my father was electrocuted to death on a construction job I do not really want to use any other gun. Since NY went to rifle hunting for deer I now only use it for turkey hunting, I keep thinking of getting it camo'd but have not as of yet.
-
I bought my 10 G BPS new back in 1988. It has always been a turkeys night mare. I have got enough Federal Grand Slam #5 to last my life time. It is setup to hammer those Gobblers. I have got a claw sling and. 690 Kicks choke.. The kick is really not noticeable when shooting a turkey. Back in 2018 I had a total shoulder replacement. Here is a Ms Tom shot with it this past week. 19.5 lbs 10.5 inch beard. and spurs 1.25 inch (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210418/4ed942f30627a34e79cac73bf40e10d3.jpg)
Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk
-
I bought my 10 G BPS new back in 1988. It has always been a turkeys night mare. I have got enough Federal Grand Slam #5 to last my life time. It is setup to hammer those Gobblers. I have got a claw sling and. 690 Kicks choke.. The kick is really not noticeable when shooting a turkey. Back in 2018 I had a total shoulder replacement. Here is a Ms Tom shot with it this past week. 19.5 lbs 10.5 inch beard. and spurs 1.25 inch (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210418/4ed942f30627a34e79cac73bf40e10d3.jpg)
Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk
Nice
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
I use a 10 ga. because they don't make an 8 ga.! :TooFunny:
-
I use a 10ga. mainly because when I started turkey hunting in '81 as a kid, it was THE step up to serious turkey medicine. But being 11 years old I couldn't buy one. The only info I ever got about turkey hunting was articles in F&S or Outdoor Life by Ben Rogers Lee, Dick Kirby, or Jack Dudley and they all spoke of the Ithaca Mag-10. Nobody I knew had a 3" 12ga. back then, everyone had fixed choke 2 3/4" 12ga. guns. It's funny to look at old gun catalogs now and the only 3" models were 'waterfowl' guns with fixed chokes. I bought a H&R 176 10ga. in Feb. of '86 just in time for that spring season. It almost doubled the range of my turkey shooting compared to my 2 3/4" 12ga. shooting whatever high brass ammo I could find. That H&R fixed full choke is only .740" and really is more of a modified or imp. modified in performance at 40 yards but with those 2 1/4 oz. shells there was plenty of shot to get the job done. I never had any desire for a modern 12ga. 3" chamber with screw chokes then or now. I still own the H&R, got a Spanish SxS that Briley threaded with a .720" and .705" extended tubes, a BPS Hunter model with 26" barrel, and my all time favorite-the Ithaca Mag-10 Supreme grade that I fixed up with a Rem SP-10 barrel that I bought from a member here (used to be the cheapest and easiest way to get the screw in choke option). I've been actually kicking around getting the H&R's 36" barrel threaded just for old time's sake and take it out hunting again.
-
Years ago, in the 90’s, I got an interest in the mighty 10 gauge. My first turkey gun was an 1100 12 gauge Magnum. I decided to buy a Remington SP-10 with a 26 inch barrel. I loved the gun, it patterned well. Since I always do a lot of running/gunning in Northern NJ, NY, and PA, it became a bit cumbersome to carry. I sent the gun to Mark Bansner and had the barrel cut down, Rifled sights installed tapped to the barrel, and a Turkey/Predator choke system installed. This was a great gun, with the shorter barrel, a bit lighter. Then the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3.5 12 gauge came along. It was light, stream-lined, and cycled smooth. I decided to buy one, the Satin Walnut, Satin finish model the year it came out. I still have this gun, and added another SPE camo steady grip turkey model to my collection. I now use the Walnut model for Waterfowl hunting. I do regret selling my SP-10. Even though it was heavy, it was a turkey duster. I plan on adding another 10 gauge to my fleet. I miss it…….