10 ga. Loads/Chokes

<P style="MARGIN: 0px">In deference to the older 10ga. guns out there, the 10ga. is loaded by the factories close to the same pressures as the 2 3/4" and 3" 12ga, around 11,500 psi.&nbsp; Actually, slightly less than those pressures&nbsp;for the 10ga.&nbsp; Whereas, the 3.5" 12ga, being new as of 1991? does not have any older guns out there which may chamber it.&nbsp; The 3.5" 12 is loaded up to around 13,500 psi.&nbsp; However, the Brits can load their 10ga. handloads in the same guns we use here, the BPS10, Gold 10 and SP10, up to 15,000 psi.</P> <P style="MARGIN: 0px">&nbsp;</P> <P style="MARGIN: 0px">If&nbsp;you chronograph the Federal shells, you might find they are actually running slower than advertised.&nbsp; Most Federal&nbsp;steel shot shells do, although they are now usually within 50-75 fps. of advertised velocities.&nbsp; I use a 1 1/2 oz. handload in my BPS10 that delivers a true 1500-1525 fps. &nbsp; </P>

 

<P style="MARGIN: 0px">I wouldn't recommend against the Federal shells as I haven't chronographed any of the new high velocity loadings in the 10ga.&nbsp; It's just that with steel shot shells, Federal has a history going back nearly 15 years of overstating the velocity their loads&nbsp;generate.&nbsp; I haven't read of anyone actually chronographing the new 10ga. shells, so I can't say the same is true with them.&nbsp; The HHV 12ga. loads appear to be much closer to advertised velocities than were their other lower priced&nbsp;shells. Perhaps they have gotten closer to advertised velocities with their 10ga. shells as well.</P> <P style="MARGIN: 0px">&nbsp;</P> <P style="MARGIN: 0px">It's hard to make a recommendation on shot size since I don't know what the particular requirements are of your situation, range, birds hunted, etc.&nbsp; In my high velocity loads, I prefer BBB's for geese as they carry a lot of energy to give good body penetration at longer ranges.&nbsp; If I knew my shots were going to be 40 yards or under, I might be tempted to use BB's, or even 1's if I thought I might also be shooting ducks with the 10ga.&nbsp; High velocity 1's are big enough to kill geese with body penetration within 40 yards, but they run out of steam for birds the size of Canada geese&nbsp;very quickly beyond that.&nbsp; Under 40 yards, many shooters use the smaller duck shot like 1's or 2's and aim for neck and head hits.&nbsp; And, using the duck shot, the low velocity loads will work fine if you can hit the head and neck. I just prefer to use big shot and aim&nbsp;to hit&nbsp;the biggest portion of the goose"s body.&nbsp; Over the years, I have found big shot at velocities over 1400 fps. have proven to be the most effective for me when shooting geese.</P> <P style="MARGIN: 0px">&nbsp;</P> <P style="MARGIN: 0px">However, whatever you choose, you will have to pattern it at the maximum range you will shoot to see if your load and choke will deliver sufficient pattern density for your purposes.&nbsp; You would be amazed at how badly some chokes and loads will pattern.</P>