Loading 10 Ga vs 12 3 1/2"

Kobra · April 19, 2001, 11:43 AM

Can a 10 Ga be loaded to more velocity than a 12 Ga. 3 1/2"? I am still trying to decide if a Browning Gold 10 Ga or a Super Black Eagle is in my future.

I would guess in a modern 10 that it would win. Both push the same load of pellets.

Kobra · April 20, 2001, 02:58 PM

Well according to Alliant's web page basically your bigger loads (1 1/2 and 1 5/8) do have more velocity in a 10 Ga versus a 3 1/2" 12 Ga.

Anyone else have some opinions on this?

Dave McC · April 21, 2001, 07:46 AM

Velocity in shotgun loads is an arcane and complicated matter.

A "Magnum" rifle load is one where a standard projectile is moved at higher velocity than a standard rifle load will. Contrast a .308 vs a 300 Mag.

OTOH, a "Magnum" shotgun load is usually moving at a standard velocity but with a heavier payload, like 1 1/2 oz vs 1 1/4.

How about describing the mission? 10 gauges are used for turkey and waterfowl,mostly.

Kobra · April 24, 2001, 08:17 AM

The mission would be just that turkeys and geese. I bought a used Super Black Eagle this last weekend so I am going to come familiar with 3 1/2" 12 GA. 10 Gauges are interesting though.

Dave McC · April 24, 2001, 11:48 AM

Kobra, do yourself a favor and try out some 3" turkey and goose loads. Pattern them, and then try the 3 1/2" hernia inducers. Chances are, the 3" patterns will be better, but you will not know if you don't try them.

If I needed to use barnburner loads, I'd be getting a Mag 10 Ithaca and patterning heavily. BTW, the few times I've shot a Mag 10,it worked well and kicked little. An 11 lb shotgun, true, but sturdy,reliable and effective...

Kobra · April 25, 2001, 12:27 PM

I am one step ahead of ya...

I bought some 3" last week before the Benelli purchase to feed my 870 Express so I will be able to use it, until I locate some 3 1/2" (Turkey season just started in KY so the stores are temporarily out). I planned on shooting them and testing my 870 with them too. I work as an engineer so it is in my nature and mentality to screw with everything I own looking for that perfect combo.

Dave McC · April 25, 2001, 01:29 PM

Ok, Kobra, I understand engineers. Why not pattern both your shotguns with what you have and see if the results are satisfactory? You may have the right combination now, just waiting to be discovered.

And, play with the chokes also. Sometimes better patterns come with a bit less constriction...

Dead · April 27, 2001, 07:41 AM

Go for the 10ga, then you can get 1.75oz slugs

Kobra · April 27, 2001, 12:50 PM

Hell I can't say I have ever seen a 10 Ga slug....that would definitely do some damage.

April 24, 2001, 08:17 AM	#4
Kobra Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2001 Location: LA - KY (Cajun Hillbilly) Posts: 338	New info since original post........ The mission would be just that turkeys and geese. I bought a used Super Black Eagle this last weekend so I am going to come familiar with 3 1/2" 12 GA. 10 Gauges are interesting though.

April 27, 2001, 07:41 AM	#8
Dead Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: AoW Land, USA Posts: 1,968	Go for the 10ga, then you can get 1.75oz slugs __________________ Dead [Black Ops] www.therallypoint.org

April 19, 2001, 11:43 AM	#1
Kobra Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2001 Location: LA - KY (Cajun Hillbilly) Posts: 338	Can a 10 Ga be loaded to more velocity than a 12 Ga. 3 1/2"? I am still trying to decide if a Browning Gold 10 Ga or a Super Black Eagle is in my future. I would guess in a modern 10 that it would win. Both push the same load of pellets.

April 20, 2001, 02:58 PM	#2
Kobra Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2001 Location: LA - KY (Cajun Hillbilly) Posts: 338	Well according to Alliant's web page basically your bigger loads (1 1/2 and 1 5/8) do have more velocity in a 10 Ga versus a 3 1/2" 12 Ga. Anyone else have some opinions on this?

April 21, 2001, 07:46 AM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Velocity in shotgun loads is an arcane and complicated matter. A "Magnum" rifle load is one where a standard projectile is moved at higher velocity than a standard rifle load will. Contrast a .308 vs a 300 Mag. OTOH, a "Magnum" shotgun load is usually moving at a standard velocity but with a heavier payload, like 1 1/2 oz vs 1 1/4. How about describing the mission? 10 gauges are used for turkey and waterfowl,mostly.

April 24, 2001, 11:48 AM	#5
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Kobra, do yourself a favor and try out some 3" turkey and goose loads. Pattern them, and then try the 3 1/2" hernia inducers. Chances are, the 3" patterns will be better, but you will not know if you don't try them. If I needed to use barnburner loads, I'd be getting a Mag 10 Ithaca and patterning heavily. BTW, the few times I've shot a Mag 10,it worked well and kicked little. An 11 lb shotgun, true, but sturdy,reliable and effective...

April 25, 2001, 12:27 PM	#6
Kobra Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2001 Location: LA - KY (Cajun Hillbilly) Posts: 338	I am one step ahead of ya... I bought some 3" last week before the Benelli purchase to feed my 870 Express so I will be able to use it, until I locate some 3 1/2" (Turkey season just started in KY so the stores are temporarily out). I planned on shooting them and testing my 870 with them too. I work as an engineer so it is in my nature and mentality to screw with everything I own looking for that perfect combo.

April 25, 2001, 01:29 PM	#7
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Ok, Kobra, I understand engineers. Why not pattern both your shotguns with what you have and see if the results are satisfactory? You may have the right combination now, just waiting to be discovered. And, play with the chokes also. Sometimes better patterns come with a bit less constriction...

April 27, 2001, 12:50 PM	#9
Kobra Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2001 Location: LA - KY (Cajun Hillbilly) Posts: 338	Hell I can't say I have ever seen a 10 Ga slug....that would definitely do some damage.