I was asked by one of the guys I hunt with occasionally, who does not own a shotgun,
why I suggested he borrow my, Ithaca 10 ga road blocker ,shotgun,
for a hog hunt he was intending to go on,
where the land owner specifically stated "SHOTGUNS ONLY"
IF your limited to a shotgun,
for close range big game I think you should at least consider a 10 ga
and when I gave him that option, he pointed out that that 10ga shotgun was no longer in production.
shop carefully these 10 ga shotguns can occasionally be purchased very reasonably
Ive seen lightly used 10 ga Ithaca shotguns, several times for sale for under $800
"I have no idea why that would matter, that the guns no longer in production,
if the guns still 100% dependable"
http://www.eregulations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/18FLHD-LR2.pdf
the Ithaca 10 ga road blocker holds two in the magazine and one in the chamber , the legal max for some areas.its very effective, Ive used one for decades.
I explained that the Ithaca 10 ga road blocker was about the most lethal weapon he could have in his hands as a 10 ga 3.5" shotgun
I,ve spent a great deal of time hog hunting, here in florida, brush tends to be thick, ranges short and a
1 3/4OZ slug loaded for stationary first shots followed by two 18 pellet 00 buckshot shells in the magazine
does an outstanding job at dropping hogs at under 45-50 yards if the person shooting has decent skills.
no 12 ga would provide quite the same weight of shot and since you rarely get more than one or two shots you may as well maximize the payload.
as will be all too common, the skill and experience of the person using the equipment has a huge effect on how effective it will be,
Ive used both an Ithaca 10 ga mag 10, and an benelli black eagle 12 ga 3" semi auto on dozens of hunts
the benelli has interchangeable chokes, its lighter and ammos cheaper
if you do your job as a hunter correctly either choice in shotguns works just fine,
but theres zero doubt the 10 ga throws a bit tighter /denser pattern and has measurably increased reach,
now that rarely is a huge factor, as I try very hard to get turkey into the 35-40 yard,max range before you fire,
yes the 10 ga is a larger gun and heavier and ammos at times harder to find,
but its not like you shoot several boxes of shells on a turkey hunt
I generally have a box of shells last a couple years.
so why would anyone want a 10 ga?
if youve ever had a turkey strutting around at 45-47 yards, and were reluctant
to risk wounding ,you know damn well the the reason,
and yeah its damn effective even at that range, and probably a lot further,
but I refuse to try stretching it past that.
having confidence in your equipment, and a well proven effective pattern, does mater.
theres also the shot size options, lots of the guys I hunt with use #2 shot in 2.25 oz 10 ga hand loads
and that will kill very well at 50 yards
https://www.ballisticproducts.com/
https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Th...uctinfo/00M10/
yes 10 ga ammo is expensive compared to 12 ga, but I doubt youll go through more than a dozen cartridge/shells in a couple days hunting hogs, before you shoot more than you want too eat.
Lead shot comparison chart
Below is a chart with diameters per pellet and weight for idealized lead spheres.
Size Type Weight Diameter (in) Diameter (mm)
0000 Buck 82 grains 0.38 9.65
000½ Buck 76 grains 0.37 9.4
000 Buck 70 grains 0.36 9.14
00½ Buck 59 grains 0.34 8.64
00 Buck 53.8 grains 0.33 8.38
0 Buck 49 grains 0.32 8.13
#1½ Buck 44.7 grains 0.31 7.87
#1 Buck 40.5 grains 0.30 7.62
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...s&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=201499
a 10 ga can easily be loaded to throw 2.25 OZ of buckshot
thats easily 16-18.... 00 buckshot
now I use an ithaca mag 10 ga for most of my duck hunts
if your intention is to use buckshot, get an Ithaca road blocker shotgun,
or similar 10 ga, that throws (18) 000 buck with every shot.
thats double the average 12 ga shot guns 2 3/4" shell load of 8-9 pellets,
doubling your potential for hitting the vitals
and yeah, try hard to limit the shots to about 35 yards max.
https://www.federalpremium.com/shotshell/premium-slug-buckshot/vital-shok-buckshot/11-P108F+00.html
https://images.proxibid.com/AuctionImages/2849/172762/FullSize/3668_1.jpg
https://www.federalpremium.com/shots...-P108F+00.html
but I can assure you that a great deal of the FELT recoil can be REDUCED through the use of a vest with a decent shoulder pad sewn into it.
no matter what gun you sellect I would think thats a worth while option as it spreads and softens the impact noticeably
you might not be shooting 2.25" loads of shot from a 3.5" 10 ga. but no mater what shotgun youve selected a proper recoil absorbing shoulder pad might be a good idea!
https://www.chuckhawks.com/past_recoil_pads.htm
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/699899/past-super-mag-plus-recoil-pad-shield-ambidextrous
https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Super-Plus-Recoil-Shield/dp/B001C5XOJQ
the standard 12 ga buckshot load is 9 OO buck and mag loads only hold 12 OO buck
that 10 GA is throwing -50%-100% more OO buckshot than a 12 GA
and a 10 GA slug is 1 3/4 or 2 full OZ vs 7/8 OZ or 1 OZ for the 12 ga.
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...s&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=201499
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...s&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=201499
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/smaller-circles-in-larger-circle-d_1849.html
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/shotgun
https://www.ballisticproducts.com/load17_03_31.htm
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/The-Mighty-10-Gauge-6th-ed/productinfo/00M10/
BTW both browning and remington sell or sold 10 ga pump or semi-auto shotguns recently,
\ so Ithaca mag 10 is not your only option in a 10 ga repeater,
I've tried shooting all three and personally prefer ,
and purchased the Ithaca mag 10 as a result.
but any of the three provide an experienced and well practiced owner,
with a good basic weapon that packs impressive knock down power,
if you can handle these 10 ga shotguns, remain cool under stress and shoot well ,
there,s a sense of security knowing ,
nothing walking can get too you if you load 3,
...1 3/4 oz federal slug loads
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...s&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=201499
if you hunt turkey
where you hunt and the terrain matters, as do the state laws your forced to put up with.
I've never found 2 oz of #4 bird shot from my Ithaca 10 ga,
having issues at reasonable ranges, a 20 ga throws 1 oz of shot, thus about 1/2 the pellet count, now obviously the choke matters and a 10 ga is heavier and has more recoil and ammos more expensive, but where Im hunting getting a shot at a gobbler is not an every hunt experience
https://garage.grumpysperformance.com/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.grumpysperformanc e.com%2Fjan18%2FS2678f.jpg&hash=fac02928a19d4df416 ac023bf5388961
https://www.federalpremium.com/shotshell/premium-turkey/grand-slam/11-PFCX101F+4.html
why I suggested he borrow my, Ithaca 10 ga road blocker ,shotgun,
for a hog hunt he was intending to go on,
where the land owner specifically stated "SHOTGUNS ONLY"
IF your limited to a shotgun,
for close range big game I think you should at least consider a 10 ga
and when I gave him that option, he pointed out that that 10ga shotgun was no longer in production.
shop carefully these 10 ga shotguns can occasionally be purchased very reasonably
Ive seen lightly used 10 ga Ithaca shotguns, several times for sale for under $800
"I have no idea why that would matter, that the guns no longer in production,
if the guns still 100% dependable"
http://www.eregulations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/18FLHD-LR2.pdf
the Ithaca 10 ga road blocker holds two in the magazine and one in the chamber , the legal max for some areas.its very effective, Ive used one for decades.
I explained that the Ithaca 10 ga road blocker was about the most lethal weapon he could have in his hands as a 10 ga 3.5" shotgun
I,ve spent a great deal of time hog hunting, here in florida, brush tends to be thick, ranges short and a
1 3/4OZ slug loaded for stationary first shots followed by two 18 pellet 00 buckshot shells in the magazine
does an outstanding job at dropping hogs at under 45-50 yards if the person shooting has decent skills.
no 12 ga would provide quite the same weight of shot and since you rarely get more than one or two shots you may as well maximize the payload.
as will be all too common, the skill and experience of the person using the equipment has a huge effect on how effective it will be,
Ive used both an Ithaca 10 ga mag 10, and an benelli black eagle 12 ga 3" semi auto on dozens of hunts
the benelli has interchangeable chokes, its lighter and ammos cheaper
if you do your job as a hunter correctly either choice in shotguns works just fine,
but theres zero doubt the 10 ga throws a bit tighter /denser pattern and has measurably increased reach,
now that rarely is a huge factor, as I try very hard to get turkey into the 35-40 yard,max range before you fire,
yes the 10 ga is a larger gun and heavier and ammos at times harder to find,
but its not like you shoot several boxes of shells on a turkey hunt
I generally have a box of shells last a couple years.
so why would anyone want a 10 ga?
if youve ever had a turkey strutting around at 45-47 yards, and were reluctant
to risk wounding ,you know damn well the the reason,
and yeah its damn effective even at that range, and probably a lot further,
but I refuse to try stretching it past that.
having confidence in your equipment, and a well proven effective pattern, does mater.
theres also the shot size options, lots of the guys I hunt with use #2 shot in 2.25 oz 10 ga hand loads
and that will kill very well at 50 yards
https://www.ballisticproducts.com/
https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Th...uctinfo/00M10/
yes 10 ga ammo is expensive compared to 12 ga, but I doubt youll go through more than a dozen cartridge/shells in a couple days hunting hogs, before you shoot more than you want too eat.
Lead shot comparison chart
Below is a chart with diameters per pellet and weight for idealized lead spheres.
Size Type Weight Diameter (in) Diameter (mm)
0000 Buck 82 grains 0.38 9.65
000½ Buck 76 grains 0.37 9.4
000 Buck 70 grains 0.36 9.14
00½ Buck 59 grains 0.34 8.64
00 Buck 53.8 grains 0.33 8.38
0 Buck 49 grains 0.32 8.13
#1½ Buck 44.7 grains 0.31 7.87
#1 Buck 40.5 grains 0.30 7.62
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...s&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=201499
a 10 ga can easily be loaded to throw 2.25 OZ of buckshot
thats easily 16-18.... 00 buckshot
now I use an ithaca mag 10 ga for most of my duck hunts
if your intention is to use buckshot, get an Ithaca road blocker shotgun,
or similar 10 ga, that throws (18) 000 buck with every shot.
thats double the average 12 ga shot guns 2 3/4" shell load of 8-9 pellets,
doubling your potential for hitting the vitals
and yeah, try hard to limit the shots to about 35 yards max.
https://www.federalpremium.com/shotshell/premium-slug-buckshot/vital-shok-buckshot/11-P108F+00.html
https://images.proxibid.com/AuctionImages/2849/172762/FullSize/3668_1.jpg
https://www.federalpremium.com/shots...-P108F+00.html
but I can assure you that a great deal of the FELT recoil can be REDUCED through the use of a vest with a decent shoulder pad sewn into it.
no matter what gun you sellect I would think thats a worth while option as it spreads and softens the impact noticeably
you might not be shooting 2.25" loads of shot from a 3.5" 10 ga. but no mater what shotgun youve selected a proper recoil absorbing shoulder pad might be a good idea!
https://www.chuckhawks.com/past_recoil_pads.htm
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/699899/past-super-mag-plus-recoil-pad-shield-ambidextrous
https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Super-Plus-Recoil-Shield/dp/B001C5XOJQ
the standard 12 ga buckshot load is 9 OO buck and mag loads only hold 12 OO buck
that 10 GA is throwing -50%-100% more OO buckshot than a 12 GA
and a 10 GA slug is 1 3/4 or 2 full OZ vs 7/8 OZ or 1 OZ for the 12 ga.
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...s&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=201499
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...s&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=201499
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/smaller-circles-in-larger-circle-d_1849.html
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/shotgun
https://www.ballisticproducts.com/load17_03_31.htm
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/The-Mighty-10-Gauge-6th-ed/productinfo/00M10/
BTW both browning and remington sell or sold 10 ga pump or semi-auto shotguns recently,
\ so Ithaca mag 10 is not your only option in a 10 ga repeater,
I've tried shooting all three and personally prefer ,
and purchased the Ithaca mag 10 as a result.
but any of the three provide an experienced and well practiced owner,
with a good basic weapon that packs impressive knock down power,
if you can handle these 10 ga shotguns, remain cool under stress and shoot well ,
there,s a sense of security knowing ,
nothing walking can get too you if you load 3,
...1 3/4 oz federal slug loads
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...s&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=201499
where you hunt and the terrain matters, as do the state laws your forced to put up with.
I've never found 2 oz of #4 bird shot from my Ithaca 10 ga,
having issues at reasonable ranges, a 20 ga throws 1 oz of shot, thus about 1/2 the pellet count, now obviously the choke matters and a 10 ga is heavier and has more recoil and ammos more expensive, but where Im hunting getting a shot at a gobbler is not an every hunt experience
https://garage.grumpysperformance.com/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.grumpysperformanc e.com%2Fjan18%2FS2678f.jpg&hash=fac02928a19d4df416 ac023bf5388961
https://www.federalpremium.com/shotshell/premium-turkey/grand-slam/11-PFCX101F+4.html
Last edited:
