Stupid 10 gauge question...

Super-Dave · March 21, 2010, 08:55 AM

Why is it that 10 gauge shotguns are so heavy and a 12 gauge 3.5" shotgun is very very light comparatively?

Ricklin · March 21, 2010, 09:16 AM

Well that and the heavier they are the easier the recoil.

jbaham · March 21, 2010, 12:45 PM

I agree with Ricklin the heavier the gun the less felt recoil. I have a browning BPS 10 ga that is heavy and I am glad because I used to own one that weighed about three pounds or so less and it would through anyone around. I recently bought a remington sp-10 and it is heavy as well. I also used to own a 3.5 inch 12 ga that weighed around 6 lbs and that thing was just nasty to shoot. If you are looking possibly for a 10 ga have a friend let you shoot one they are very nice.

olddrum1 · March 21, 2010, 12:53 PM

Because the circumference of the shell is larger and it takes more steel to encase it.

Old Grump · March 21, 2010, 01:18 PM

Ditto the above, my 10 gauge with its heavy 36" barrel is actually easier on my shoulder than 2 of my 12 gauges. Whats more its so much fun its addicting and probably should be illegal. Glad it isn't.

Super-Dave · March 21, 2010, 01:31 PM

so why arent the 3.5" 12 gauges heavier to reduce recoil?

Edward429451 · March 21, 2010, 01:37 PM

...easy as Pi

Thats funny

olddrum1 · March 22, 2010, 12:16 AM

Ed429 Thats funny

Dave McC · March 22, 2010, 10:07 AM

S.D, they, 12 Gauge 3.5 megadeath howitzers, ought to be. That's why they kick so darn much.

At this point, I've yet to need the extra payload of the longest shell. Even the 3" loads here are restricted to Waterfowl (Hevishot 2s) and Turkey( divers loads of 4s, 5s and 6s, up to 1 7/8 oz).Yes, those turkey loads do kick from a sub 7 lb gun. But I do not fire off a lot of them in a day, even when bench testing and patterning.
.
But then, I'm only 63.....

publius · March 22, 2010, 04:31 PM

I would imagine it's because the 3.5 12 was a modification of the existing 12ga. 2 3/4- 3 in. platform to do double duty as a 2 3/4 field gun and a 3.5 duck slammer. There's no way to do both perfectly so the manufacturers have made the assumption that people want a versatile gun at the expense of recoil. the 10 ga. was built from the ground up as a 3.5 in. duck/goose gun and weighs accordingly.

March 21, 2010, 08:55 AM	#1
Super-Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 795	Stupid 10 gauge question... Why is it that 10 gauge shotguns are so heavy and a 12 gauge 3.5" shotgun is very very light comparatively? __________________ If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever. George Orwell

March 21, 2010, 09:16 AM	#2
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,011	Easy as Pi Well that and the heavier they are the easier the recoil. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

March 21, 2010, 01:18 PM	#5
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Ditto the above, my 10 gauge with its heavy 36" barrel is actually easier on my shoulder than 2 of my 12 gauges. Whats more its so much fun its addicting and probably should be illegal. Glad it isn't. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

March 21, 2010, 01:31 PM	#6
Super-Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 795	so why arent the 3.5" 12 gauges heavier to reduce recoil? __________________ If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever. George Orwell

March 22, 2010, 04:31 PM	#10
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	I would imagine it's because the 3.5 12 was a modification of the existing 12ga. 2 3/4- 3 in. platform to do double duty as a 2 3/4 field gun and a 3.5 duck slammer. There's no way to do both perfectly so the manufacturers have made the assumption that people want a versatile gun at the expense of recoil. the 10 ga. was built from the ground up as a 3.5 in. duck/goose gun and weighs accordingly. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

March 21, 2010, 12:45 PM	#3
jbaham Junior member Join Date: March 13, 2010 Posts: 34	I agree with Ricklin the heavier the gun the less felt recoil. I have a browning BPS 10 ga that is heavy and I am glad because I used to own one that weighed about three pounds or so less and it would through anyone around. I recently bought a remington sp-10 and it is heavy as well. I also used to own a 3.5 inch 12 ga that weighed around 6 lbs and that thing was just nasty to shoot. If you are looking possibly for a 10 ga have a friend let you shoot one they are very nice.

March 21, 2010, 12:53 PM	#4
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	Because the circumference of the shell is larger and it takes more steel to encase it.

March 21, 2010, 01:37 PM	#7
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	...easy as Pi Thats funny

March 22, 2010, 12:16 AM	#8
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	Ed429 Thats funny

March 22, 2010, 10:07 AM	#9
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	S.D, they, 12 Gauge 3.5 megadeath howitzers, ought to be. That's why they kick so darn much. At this point, I've yet to need the extra payload of the longest shell. Even the 3" loads here are restricted to Waterfowl (Hevishot 2s) and Turkey( divers loads of 4s, 5s and 6s, up to 1 7/8 oz).Yes, those turkey loads do kick from a sub 7 lb gun. But I do not fire off a lot of them in a day, even when bench testing and patterning. . But then, I'm only 63.....

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