So I inherited a ithica mag 10...

Deja vu · March 20, 2010, 09:28 PM

So I inherited a ithica mag 10 a few days ago from an uncle that knew that I liked to shoot shotguns.

I have never shot a 10ga before and have no idea how much the ammo is... The gun came with a few boxes of bird shot #8-#6 and some buck shot but it all appears pretty old

I am wondering what a good use for this gun is... I regularly hunt geese and ducks as well as pheasants with my Remington 870 12 ga.

This gun feels really heavy it seems like it could be a pain to carry

so is there really any point to this gun other than to take up space in my vault? Not that i am complaining

Webleymkv · March 20, 2010, 10:19 PM

10ga shells can be quite expensive. Most of what you'll find available will be steel waterfowl loads with #2, #1, BB, BBB, or T shot and it will usually cost $25-30 per box of 25 shells. Certain times of the year, you will also find Turkey loadings with #4, #5, or #6 shot usually with pellets made of some exotic non-toxic metal like bismuth. Finally, only Federal still makes buckshot and slugs specifically an 18-pellet 00 Buck loading and a 1 3/4oz slug.

The 10ga's two main areas of popularity are waterfowl (particularly goose) and turkey hunting. The advantage of the 10ga is that the larger bore usually allows a denser pattern at longer ranges (particularly with steel shot).

One interesting variation of the Ithaca Mag 10 was the Roadblocker which was intended for police use. While the Roadblocker never really caught on for it's intended purpose, it did become somewhat popular in Africa among Professional Hunters for sorting out dangerous game such as lions and leopards that had been wounded. While the Ithaca no longer makes a 10ga, the rights to the Mag 10 design were bought by Remington who now makes their own version called the SP10.

The recoil of the 10ga is, in my opinion, overblown. While recoil certainly is heavy, the greater weight of most 10ga shotguns helps to dampen it greatly. My H&R 10ga (probably the hardest-kicking model available) actually seems to me to have less recoil than my Remington 870 Express 12ga loaded with 3" Brenneke slugs. The semi-automatic operation and extra weight of your Mag 10 will probably make the recoil even more manageable than my H&R.

Also, it's great fun to disintegrate clay pigeons with a 10ga stoked full of BB shot (and to watch the faces of all the other shooters when you do it).

dropthehammer · March 21, 2010, 09:26 AM

I hunted ducks and geese with a Mag 10 back when it was still legal to shoot lead shot. The gun was very impressive for pass shooting, 70 yard kills were not uncommon. Sold mine a few years after steel shot became mandatory. Recoil was very manageable, but I was alot younger then.

publius · March 22, 2010, 04:35 PM

You got some #8 shot w/it. I would take that sucker dove hunting at a big hunt on opening day. It would be funny as hell. I really would.

Hog Buster · March 22, 2010, 05:03 PM

It’s a fine gun for goose hunting and you can make some great shots on high flying ducks. Problem with it is expensive ammo and it’s heavy enough to be crew served. Wandering around carrying it is like toting and old Browing Automatic Rifle. The recoil ain’t bad but close shots should be avoided, least you pluck ‘em and gut ‘em in mid-air. Like most folks I got rid of mine after a couple of seasons.

jbaham · March 23, 2010, 09:49 AM

The ithaca Mag 10 is a good gun. I currently have a browning bps 10 ga and a remington sp-10 which is the newer model of the ithaca mag 10. The recoil is not bad at all in fact most 12 ga 3.5 inch guns will recoil harder. Another plus is the gun is a semiautomatic. The shells I use in the bps are around 18 dollars a box they are winchester #5 2 1/4 oz turkey loads. Just don't believe all the hype that the 10 guage is going hurt you really bad. I used to own one about 5 or so years ago that was nasty but it weighed about 7 lbs as well. For Any type of waterfowl hunting this would be a good gun, and turkey hunting as well.

good luck

baltz526 · April 10, 2010, 06:39 PM

Your 10ga will work great pass shooting geese and mallards on the snake. Check mac's for ammo. Internet ammo shopping for the 10ga will get you ammo for the same as 3 1/2" 12ga. If you can find it, federal steel is the best for store bought. New high $ nontox is coming for next season, but not many can afford to shoot it.

crghss · April 10, 2010, 08:05 PM

I would love a Ithica 10ga. As others have said it's great for waterfowl & turkey, if you want to hump it.

I think the dove idea would be a hoot.

April 10, 2010, 06:39 PM	#7
baltz526 Member Join Date: April 10, 2010 Location: lapine oregon Posts: 66	Your 10ga will work great pass shooting geese and mallards on the snake. Check mac's for ammo. Internet ammo shopping for the 10ga will get you ammo for the same as 3 1/2" 12ga. If you can find it, federal steel is the best for store bought. New high $ nontox is coming for next season, but not many can afford to shoot it. __________________ 10ga shooters anonymous member in good standing. reloader of steelshot goose loads for modern shotguns

March 20, 2010, 09:28 PM	#1
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	So I inherited a ithica mag 10... So I inherited a ithica mag 10 a few days ago from an uncle that knew that I liked to shoot shotguns. I have never shot a 10ga before and have no idea how much the ammo is... The gun came with a few boxes of bird shot #8-#6 and some buck shot but it all appears pretty old I am wondering what a good use for this gun is... I regularly hunt geese and ducks as well as pheasants with my Remington 870 12 ga. This gun feels really heavy it seems like it could be a pain to carry so is there really any point to this gun other than to take up space in my vault? Not that i am complaining

March 20, 2010, 10:19 PM	#2
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	10ga shells can be quite expensive. Most of what you'll find available will be steel waterfowl loads with #2, #1, BB, BBB, or T shot and it will usually cost $25-30 per box of 25 shells. Certain times of the year, you will also find Turkey loadings with #4, #5, or #6 shot usually with pellets made of some exotic non-toxic metal like bismuth. Finally, only Federal still makes buckshot and slugs specifically an 18-pellet 00 Buck loading and a 1 3/4oz slug. The 10ga's two main areas of popularity are waterfowl (particularly goose) and turkey hunting. The advantage of the 10ga is that the larger bore usually allows a denser pattern at longer ranges (particularly with steel shot). One interesting variation of the Ithaca Mag 10 was the Roadblocker which was intended for police use. While the Roadblocker never really caught on for it's intended purpose, it did become somewhat popular in Africa among Professional Hunters for sorting out dangerous game such as lions and leopards that had been wounded. While the Ithaca no longer makes a 10ga, the rights to the Mag 10 design were bought by Remington who now makes their own version called the SP10. The recoil of the 10ga is, in my opinion, overblown. While recoil certainly is heavy, the greater weight of most 10ga shotguns helps to dampen it greatly. My H&R 10ga (probably the hardest-kicking model available) actually seems to me to have less recoil than my Remington 870 Express 12ga loaded with 3" Brenneke slugs. The semi-automatic operation and extra weight of your Mag 10 will probably make the recoil even more manageable than my H&R. Also, it's great fun to disintegrate clay pigeons with a 10ga stoked full of BB shot (and to watch the faces of all the other shooters when you do it).

March 21, 2010, 09:26 AM	#3
dropthehammer Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Location: Suburb of Cleveland Ohio Posts: 108	I hunted ducks and geese with a Mag 10 back when it was still legal to shoot lead shot. The gun was very impressive for pass shooting, 70 yard kills were not uncommon. Sold mine a few years after steel shot became mandatory. Recoil was very manageable, but I was alot younger then.

March 22, 2010, 04:35 PM	#4
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	You got some #8 shot w/it. I would take that sucker dove hunting at a big hunt on opening day. It would be funny as hell. I really would. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

March 22, 2010, 05:03 PM	#5
Hog Buster Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2009 Location: Pointe Coupee, Louisana Posts: 772	It’s a fine gun for goose hunting and you can make some great shots on high flying ducks. Problem with it is expensive ammo and it’s heavy enough to be crew served. Wandering around carrying it is like toting and old Browing Automatic Rifle. The recoil ain’t bad but close shots should be avoided, least you pluck ‘em and gut ‘em in mid-air. Like most folks I got rid of mine after a couple of seasons. __________________ Those who beat their guns into plows, will plow for those who don't.-Thomas Jefferson

March 23, 2010, 09:49 AM	#6
jbaham Junior member Join Date: March 13, 2010 Posts: 34	The ithaca Mag 10 is a good gun. I currently have a browning bps 10 ga and a remington sp-10 which is the newer model of the ithaca mag 10. The recoil is not bad at all in fact most 12 ga 3.5 inch guns will recoil harder. Another plus is the gun is a semiautomatic. The shells I use in the bps are around 18 dollars a box they are winchester #5 2 1/4 oz turkey loads. Just don't believe all the hype that the 10 guage is going hurt you really bad. I used to own one about 5 or so years ago that was nasty but it weighed about 7 lbs as well. For Any type of waterfowl hunting this would be a good gun, and turkey hunting as well. good luck

April 10, 2010, 08:05 PM	#8
crghss Junior member Join Date: July 1, 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 537	Turkey! I would love a Ithica 10ga. As others have said it's great for waterfowl & turkey, if you want to hump it. I think the dove idea would be a hoot.