10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

I currently have a 3.5'' 12 gauge and do alot of crane and goose hunting. My question is what am I gaining by switching (getting)to a 10 gauge?

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

More recoil, heavier gun, but, I have noticed, the 10 Gauge does have a better pattern than the 3 1/2" 12 gauge. I myself own an NEF Pardner 10 Gauge, and it has an excellent pattern.

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

I have a semi-automatic 10 gauge shotgun (Remington SP-10 Magnum) and it is heavy, 11 pounds, but the recoil is milder than many12 gauge shotguns I have used. The pros are better patterns, the cons are ammunition cost and availability.

Caldoc

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

will you have a much better range using the 10 over the 12 gauge?

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

no i do not see much but then that is just me

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

I have a 10 ga Browning Gold (semi auto)and it has much less recoil than my Benelli 3 1/2 in 12 ga. I have added a recoil tamer from Benelli and that does help but it is still more recoil than the 10.

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

Pro's of going with the 10:

MUCH better patterns
Less recoil (due to hevier gun)
Don't have many cycling issues, because they are only designed to shoot one type of shell (magnums)
Did I mention MUCH better patterns?

Con's of going with the 10:

Shells are getting harder to come by, and they are $$$
All you can shoot are 3 1/2", can't take this one to the skeet field
If you forget or run out of shells, unless someone else has a 10, you are SOL (ie: not at much versitility)

Summary:

I would say get the 10. Keep your 12 just so you have some flexibility (although, I personally think that a 3.5" 12ga is nothing more than ringing ears and a sore shoulder. Gene Hill may have submitted something about self confidence, but I digress). 10ga's are great for what they are meant for, which is pretty much what you are doing. They also make great (although often FAR too heavy) turkey guns.

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

I have a SP 10 , Grate goose Gun . Too slow for ducks . As far as ammo you can check places for close outs I just picked up Remington nitro Steel BBB a case for $12.00 box. $15.00 shipping. I also Reload Steel I bought 30 lbs of steel shot off Ebay for $ 20.00 . It can be done.

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

Pro's:
A little better pattern than 3 1/2 12 ga
Slightly less recoil that a light 3 1/2" 12ga gun (not less than a extrema)

Con's
Same amount of shot and powder as most 12 ga 3 1/2" loads
Can only use it for that purpose
Heavy as SH*T
10 guages don't point or swing very will.
$$$$$ for shells

Not worth it IMHO

Plus my brother had a Browning gold 10ga and sold it for his Benelli SBE II and wouldn't go back.

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

I have a BPS 10 and love it. I do not notice any more recoil from it and my 12 gaueg. I like the heaviness from the 10 gauge. We shoot alot of decoys geese and I do not have to swing it too much!

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

I have a 870 3 1/2 and my friend hunter has a NEF 10 gauge with a modified and we hunt deer alot and heblew one to ground meat but if you get the right combination for your 12 gauge then i would go witthe 12.


I love my 870 with a super full for everything and i would throw that POS 10 gauge in the river but its up to you

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

I know some places won't allow the 10ga in. Something to think about.

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

I shoot a BPS 10ga exclusivly for geese. I also own a BPS 12ga 3 1/2" that I use for other waterfowl hunting. I hunt with other guys that shoot the 12's for geese and I see a lot of crippling when they are shooting further than 35 yds. This includes them shooting the Hevi-shot rounds. I only shoot the Remington BBB Nitro Steel with the mod. choke and can kill big Canadas stone dead @ 60yards+. I live in northern IL and we have some of the biggest geese in the country around here. I don't use it for duck hunting because of the weight. It's swing is too slow.
HOPE THIS HELPS

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

I LIVE IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND HUNT GEESE CONSTANTLY I USE A 10 GUAGE NEF SINGLE SHOT AND IT WORKS GREAT ON GEESE THERE ISNT MUCH CRIPPLING INVOLVED IF YOU HIT THEM THEY COME DOWN LIKE A ROCKKKKKKKKK.BUT I STILL PREFER MY 12 GUAGE FOR DUCKS.I THINK IT IS A GREAT GUN YOU SHOULD BUY ONE.

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

not saying it aint true, but thats hard to believe. my sbe2 kicks just as lightly as my 20 gauge shotgun with duck shells in did. mine does have comfortech however.

RE: 10 Gauge pros and cons..?
 

T:

That 10ga the good doctor owns is a good 3-4 pounds heavier than your SBE2. Not to mention, it is gas operated and a 10ga is restricted to lower pressures than the new hotter 3 1/2" 12ga's. So the recoil will be less, probably much less.

And that comfort-tech stock you have does make a world of difference. I, like you, noticed that the recoil on standard 3" fowling loads out of a SBE2 resembled a 20ga.