Who's running a 10-gauge?

[Oregon Bill]

I spotted a 10-gauge double from Centaure in Belgium on a local gun rack. Got thinking that if I whittled the beavertail forend way down, got the barrels cut and crowned and laid in some all-brass 10-gauge hulls, I'd be a force to be reckoned with.  A sobering note, however, is that the only new 10-gauge brass hulls out there right now are Rocky Mountain CC, at about $8 EACH!
Spose I could find some paper, or -- UGH! -- use p-p-p-p-plastICK.

[Dick Dastardly]

A 10ga Winchester 87 and a Spanish SxS 10 ga are waiting on my gun rack for next SASS season.  Both do very well with black powder.  I do load 3½" heavy loads for the SxS.  They don't hurt much from a 12 pound gun.  The 87 has been cut down and takes 2-5/8" ammo.  I use cut down once fired Remington waterfoul hulls.  I cut them down on my band saw.

All my bp shot shell ammo is loaded via MEC 600 Jr. Mk-5 units and roll crimped.

Those mighty Tens sure wake up the drowsy.  Enough smoke to obscure everything downrange.  Makes the dude with the timer puke.  Lots of fun.

DD-MDA

[Oregon Bill]

Thanks Dick. One of the first CAS matches I ever watched, a guy staged up with one of those 87s with 10-gauge brass hulls and the black, and oh, my what an impression he made!

[Wildcat Will]

Oregon I have a Spanish sxs 10 and have purchased the RMC Brass.  They are pricey but they will outlast me for sure.  I load them up and when Bertha roars there is no question I'm on the line.  Amazingly, there are two other members of my home club, Pungo Posse in SE Virginia, who also shoot.  Both are currently using plastic hulls.  Great fun and sure does move the RO away.  

[Oregon Bill]

Will, have you left the barrels full length? Are your guns hammer or hammerless?
If you'd care to mention load "pertiklers," I'd be obliged.

[Silver Creek Slim]

I also have a 10ga Spanish SXS with 30" barrels. I use plastic 3 1/2" shells. They are available from Ballistics Products. I use a square load of 1 ¼ oz + 3.1 cc of BP and shot with 1/8" Nitro card, 1/2" fiber wad, overshot card and roll crimped.

Slim

[Stu Kettle]

I want an 8-gauge just like the guy carried in "Appaloosa" - since I just found out brass is obtainable.

[Sacramento Johnson]

Howdy!
Yep, have a modern made spanish made (Zabala Hermanos) SXS hammerless double in 10g which I call "Big Mama" (engraved on the receiver, no less!), barrels cut to 24 inches.  I, too, use the RMC brass; indestructable, eminently reusable, and what style points a canvas belt of those evokes!

My pard recently found a Bernadelli (Italian) MODERN STEEL SXS in 10g, WITH HAMMERS (after years of searching, no less).  We plan to try in out this spring!

[Tornado]

Pictures guys, we need pictures! 

[Wildcat Will]

I'm using the same load as Silver Creek Slim.  I've not cut the barrels and I think they are 32".  Internal hammers and has some scroll work on the receiver.  Weights a bunch but she sure gets attention.  I patterned Bertha on paper at distances we normally shoot at and get about a 3-4 inch diameter circle.  I've been told what the chokes are in each barrel, but I'm not a big shotgun person so as long as the clays break and the targets fall down I'm happy.   

[Pony Racer]

Mine is an original Remington that was cut down before I owned her.

While I love the look of full length sxs with hammers - she is a might heavy even cut down.

I use similar load to WW - but use plastic and brass.  Purchasing 30 or so more brass hulls is on my soon to purchase list of cowboy stuff.

The federal Hulls last 3-4 loadings - so using those as you get your brass stock up is very economical and easy - I loaded them same way as I load brass!

PR

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I'm using the same load as Silver Creek Slim.  I've not cut the barrels and I think they are 32".  Internal hammers and has some scroll work on the receiver.  Weights a bunch but she sure gets attention.  I patterned Bertha on paper at distances we normally shoot at and get about a 3-4 inch diameter circle.  I've been told what the chokes are in each barrel, but I'm not a big shotgun person so as long as the clays break and the targets fall down I'm happy.   

Those big'uns were made for duck & geese shooting with magnum shells.  I'll bet the choke are real tight!

[Wildcat Will]

Sir Charles I've been told told they are choked tight, with the right side tighter than the left.  I will say it took a little practice to figure out how to sight in with them.  Yes, I really do have to aim a bit more than with my 12g guns.  It can be a bit embarrassing with I miss.  I get a ribbed pretty good about missing with a 10g.  Of course they do it through a bunch of glorious Smoke.   

[Lucky R. K.]

Most of the old shotguns I have owned or examined have the more open choke in the right barrel with the tighter choke in the left.  The front trigger fires the right(more open choke) barrel and the rear trigger fires the (tighter choke) left barrel.

Lucky 

[DJ]

Where does anyone find once fired hull to feed their 10 gauges?  I'm resurrecting an 1887, but can only find new hulls at new hull prices.

--DJ

[Wildcat Will]

Most of the old shotguns I have owned or examined have the more open choke in the right barrel with the tighter choke in the left.  The front trigger fires the right(more open choke) barrel and the rear trigger fires the (tighter choke) left barrel.

Lucky 

Lucky your probably right about this one too.  Like I said I'm not a shotgun person. 

[Oregon Bill]

I'm still thinking hard about this Belgian 10-gauge double. It has a couple of issues: It is hammerless, so that kicks it up to the late 1870s to 1880s. It has a Greener crossbolt, but W.W. Greener invented that in 1873, so no issue there. But it has a ventilated rib, which would simply have to go. Might be hard to find a replacement without cannibalizing another shottie. The ventilated recoil pad is also a must-fix.

[Major 2]

I want an 8-gauge just like the guy carried in "Appaloosa" - since I just found out brass is obtainable.

That was mock-up prop gun...made from 12 guage with 8 guage tube overlays...

there is a old 8 Guage at the local  Cracker Barrel screwed to the mantle over the fireplace ... breaks my heart 

[Mason Stillwell]

I buy my hulls from ballistic products. !! Like the mighty ten. once fired ......... Probably not.

Mason

[Oregon Bill]

Well, my Remington Model 1889 10-gauge hammer gun will be here this week, thanks to amigo Tascosa Joe, who had one surplus to his needs. I have a few once-fired Federal 3 1/2-inch hulls to mess with. First thing I need to do is confirm chamber length -- could be 2 5/8 or 2 7/8. Then I need to ring up the good folks at Circle Fly wads and order in OP, cushion and OS wads. Will likely also need a set for when I have some RMCC brass hulls to play with.
Will report when this sweetheart is in hand.