I bought a 10 gauge loader!

Andy Griffith

Andy Griffith

Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2005
Messages
4,867
Reaction score
521
Location
Out for the duration
I have always had a thing for large bore shotguns...

So, I found and bought a used 10 gauge Mec 600 Jr.

I have also ordered one of the 10 gauge loadbooks from Precision Reloading.

Yes, I have a couple of 10's- most notably two single shot H&R's and an Ithaca Roadblocker. :D

Does anyone else here load 10's? Not really for waterfowl, but for coyotes, foxes other varmints (I consider geese varmints, but I know I'm in a minority ;)) with loads such as #2, #BB, and perhaps #OO buck? If I get brave, I might try one of those tri-ball loads with very hard cast linotype.
 
Register to hide this ad
My 10ga. is a short chambered SXS with 32 in. M&F barrels. I use a Federal case, W209 primer, 30grs. IMR7625, SP10 wad with 1/4 20ga. filler wad, 1 1/4oz. shot. It will average 1162 fps.
Same junk except 28grs. powder is 1113 fps.
33grs. is 1200fps.
Have fun. Larry
 
I have two 10 gauge mags.Both SP10s.I load for both and I don't shoot waterfowl.What did you want to know?
 
I've got an H+R single shot 10 gauge too. Handed down to me from my father. She's all business.
 
canoe on the yukon said:
I have two 10 gauge mags.Both SP10s.I load for both and I don't shoot waterfowl.What did you want to know?
Click to expand...

Do you have a good recipe for a #00, #000 or any good buckshot load? And perhaps an effective load with #BB shot for coyotes and other large varmints?

Do you use hard, copper or nickel plated shot, or does it matter?

So far, I have been given a load for a tri-ball consisting of:

  • (3) .662" hard cast balls (410grns. each, together a payload nearly 2 7/8 oz.!)
  • Precision Reloading brown steel wads
  • Precision Reloading spherical shot buffer
  • Undisclosed amount of Alliant "Steel" powder with Fed 209A in 3 12" Federal hull with paper base wad.
It was said pressure was within SAMMI specs, but recoil wasn't!
 
Andy,

You mentioned in your PM to me that you wanted to get a recipe for large shot and buckshot.A lot is going to depend on your gun,barrel and choke.You mentioned that you have an Ithaca roadblocker.It's the old Ithaca Mag 10 with a shortened cylinder bore barrel.The gun would be fine but a cylinder (non-choked)barrel will be problematic for varmits,etc.

The single shot shotguns you have were mainly intended as a low cost turkey gun and as such,I'm sure they must be full choked.Therefore they would be better for varmits.

A specific recipe will only help if you use the EXACT same components.Substituting is asking for trouble.

About the shot...lead BB shot would probably be the smallest I'd use for coyote,etc.....some would even recommend #4 buckshot.

Pattern your gun to see what patterns best.No two are just alike.I have gotten much better patterns by using a buffer material,especially with larger shot.Using a roll crimp rather than the more usual fold crimp can be helpful as well.By using a roll crimp,you adjust the shell to the load rather than the other way around.You can't do that with a press.A special tool is available.

You asked about 00 and 000 buckshot......00 is .33 and 000 is .36.This needs to be patterned as well.By using a wrap,one can get twenty 00 buck pellets in the 10 mag.I use a cup/driver that can take 18-00 buck pellets but I generally use 16 which gives me a better pattern.Each gun is different.
 
I missed a couple of things.Lead is fine.A slightly hardened lead is my preference.Copper plated is okay.I've never used nickel plated so can't comment.

I'm not that enthused about the tri-ball loads and such.Between buckshot and slugs,I've never seen the point but to each,his own.

I'm perfectly willing to give loading data but ONLY if you're going to use the same components.I use Federal 10 gauge 3 1/2" plastic shells with BPD pattern driver from ballisticproducts.com.

You will find that the 10 mag takes a commitment.It's in a class all it's own.
 
I only go by tried and true recipes, and don't substitute in shotgun- other than the shot size. ;)

I did get the Ballistic Products 10 gauge specific manual.
I might have to get one of those long barreled Browning BPS's to try out some other long range loads and to get something with a choke tube in it.
 
Andy Griffith said:
I only go by tried and true recipes, and don't substitute in shotgun- other than the shot size. ;)

I did get the Ballistic Products 10 gauge specific manual.
I might have to get one of those long barreled Browning BPS's to try out some other long range loads and to get something with a choke tube in it.
Click to expand...


Andy,

Since you have the BP 10 gauge specific manual,here are the components I use for heavy shot loads.


Federal 10 gauge hulls...(3 1/2" mag)

Federal 209A primers

The BPD 10 gauge pattern driver...(this is an excellent cup and holds up to 2 1/2 oz of shot)

10 gauge .030 thin overshot card

All of the above is constant.....the powder,shot,buffer and spacer wads are variable depending on the load.

For the above shot cup,you will use 20 gauge spacer wads.I generally use the felt wads but also use cork wads for smaller shot.Felt is usually better for larger shot and compresses well.I keep an assortment of 1/8 and 1/4 of each.

Buffer is optional but when you want a better pattern,it's often worth the trouble.BP #47 will be the best for your use.Other buffer materials can change pressures.

For powders,I use Longshot,Steel and SR 4756.


About the guns...I'm partial to the Remington SP10.Many are partial to the Browning Gold 10 or the Browning pump 10 (BPS).The gas functioning autos make the recoil tame.
 
Andy,

It has occured to me that you've said two things which are in direct conflict with each other..........."I don't have any buckshot load data"......."I have a Ten gauge loading manual"....These two statements contradict one another UNLESS you don't realize that the LEAD LOADING DATA can be used with buckshot.

Using the components listed above,very satisfactory loads can be used with buckshot.

The BPD-10 shotcup will hold 18 00 buck pellets(00 buck weighs around 8 pellets per ounce)Depending on your source,be sure and weigh them.Obviously,18 pellets will be a 2 1/4 oz payload.

My guns seem to do better with lighter payloads of two ounces (16 pellets)when loading 00 buckshot.As you can see,you have a lot of buckshot data at your disposal.

When I use loads of over two ounces,I use Steel powder.Two ounces down to 1 3/4 oz,Longshot.The majority of my loads are between 2 and 2 1/4.

Hope this helps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Sig .40 S&W OAL reloading question
Replies
4
Views
9K
noylj
noylj
Hoptob
Duplicating Buffalo Bore FBI Load
6 7 8
Replies
159
Views
178K
BillBro
B
Evil One
The .44 Special ain't so special?
2 3
Replies
50
Views
9K
44forever
4

Latest posts

Back
Top