So what happen to 10 Gauge shotguns and etc...

[whm1974]

So when 10 Gauge shotguns become really popular back in the late 80's to early 90's... In fact the Lever Action Shotgun used by Conner's protector was a 10 Gauge as so the Novel said....

The reason for increased popularity was due to steal shot being required because a few studies showing that birds were sorrowing lead pellets left all over the place...

Well now days I don't hear or read much about 10 Gauge shotguns anymore, so are they still around? To my limited knowledge they were only used in modern times for bird hunting in areas requiring steel bird shot.

 

[IdahoSkies]

3.5 inch 12 gauge shells happened. Much easier to make and sell a 12 gauge that can do it all 2.75, 3 and 3.5.

Once the 3.5 became more common, especially when steel goose l Ioads were loaded in that size the 10 gauge was just not very necessary.

 

[Virginian]

Steel shot fostered a brief resurgence of the 10 gauge. In my opinion, it is a very effective round, but all the guns are too heavy.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I like the 10 ga. I think the loads pattern better and have a shorter shot string.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I'm a fan of the 16 gauge, so I know all about gauges going out of style. lol

 

[whm1974]

3.5 inch 12 gauge shells happened. Much easier to make and sell a 12 gauge that can do it all 2.75, 3 and 3.5.

Once the 3.5 became more common, especially when steel goose l Ioads were loaded in that size the 10 gauge was just not very necessary.

So how come no one bothered to make 10 gauge shotguns that can use 3.5" shells?

 

[JohnKSa]

Once the longer (more powerful) 12ga shells became commonly available, the demand for the 10ga fell off. People used 10ga when 12ga wasn't enough, but the more powerful ammo (and stronger guns) in 12ga made it possible to get close enough to 10ga performance to satisfy most people's purposes.

 

[lemaymiami]

Simple advice... if you want to find out why 10ga isn't very popular - shoot one and you'll learn most of what you need to know.. If that lesson isn't sufficient take one afield and carry it in hand all day long...

Yes, there are circumstances and situations where a "long tom" is just the ticket... but most will never need that much shotgun in my opinion...

 

[rule303]

When Mossberg introduced the 3.5" 12 ga in the 835 it sold for less than $200. At the time only Browning and Ithaca were were selling 10's, and they were 3-4 times the price, and were only good for waterfowl hunting. The 835 was billed as being able to do it all from doves to geese.
The big 10 is much more pleasant to shoot than a 3.5" 12ga, and patterns better, but not enough to make a difference to most hunters.

 

[Jim Watson]

So how come no one bothered to make 10 gauge shotguns that can use 3.5" shells?

You mean like this one?

The Gold has an Illustrious History with Browning
Today's Gold shotguns are our special 10 gauge versions designed specifically to handle the larger, powerful 10 gauge shotgun loads.

• Receiver: Aluminum alloy
• Barrel: Ventilated rib
• Action: Gas-operated autoloader
• 3 1⁄2" chamber
• Magazine capacity: Four in the magazine plus one in the chamber

 

[alsaqr]

i still own a ten gauge Ithaca shotgun. A friend sometimes borrows it for goose hunting.

 

[bearman49709]

So how come no one bothered to make 10 gauge shotguns that can use 3.5" shells?

10 ga 3 1/2" shells have been around for a minimum of 60 years. The 12 ga 3 1/2" since 1988, only 32 years.

 

[dawei]

I'm a fan of the 16 gauge, so I know all about gauges going out of style. lol

Me too & the 28 ga also.

 

[George P]

The 28 is the most underappreciated bore size there is - great for most targets and upland birds; I have seen good reports of it being used on turkeys with #9 TSS

 

[entropy]

So how come no one bothered to make 10 gauge shotguns that can use 3.5" shells?

They do. The standard shell lengths are 2 7/8ths, and 3.5" It's hard to find 2 7/8ths 10 ga. shells these days.

 

[labnoti]

To understand why 3.5" 12 gauge effectively replaced nearly all the little demand that remained for 10 gauge, you have to understand that guns like the Mossberg 825 were effectively 10 gauge. They were overbored so the bore was practically equivalent to 10 gauge, and with the 3.5" long shell, they could hold practically the same amount of shot. They could do the same things 10 gauge could do because they had the same size shot payloads and the same size bore. What they could do that 10 gauge could not do is shoot much less costly 12 gauge 2 3/4 shells.

In practical terms, you could think of the 835 like a 10 gauge where they shrank the bolt face down so it could shoot 12 gauge shells also, but it still had the chamber size and the bore size of a 10 gauge.

So why would anyone want a 10 gauge that can't shoot 12 gauge shells, when you can have one that does? (This is a rhetorical question, I don't actually need anyone to explain their irrational desires)

Now you could also ask, why was 10 gauge so unpopular even before the 835? Simple: because it wasn't a 12 gauge. Standardization and economy of scale are things.

 

[Mn Fats]

In fact the Lever Action Shotgun used by Conner's protector was a 10 Gauge as so the Novel said

Forgive me, but what does this mean? The only thing I can think of as far as "Conner's protector" is this... Which was a 12 ga. At least I thought? Could be wrong but it doesn't appear he's loading 10 ga. shells in.

I've never needed anything more than a 12 ga. In fact, I find myself liking less oomph. 20 ga. 16 ga. is my sweet spot. Maybe other folks realized they don't need 10 ga overkill with very expensive shells too.

That said, I'd still like to own one someday

 

[Injunbro]

10 gauge went the way of the 8 gauge, more gun than needed as well as too heavy & clunky to handle quickly. I'm the only guy I know around here who still uses a 12 gauge for quail hunting since a 20 is much faster... but I love my old 12 side by side. Truth be told my little .410 double works fine for quail.

 

[Virginian]

A 3-1/2" 12 gauge is NOT equivalent to a 10 gauge, not even almost.

 

[Tinkerer's_Dam]

I would like to get my hands on a 10 gauge and few varieties of buckshot loads (#4,#3,#2,and so on) along with some 2-3/4 inch slug loads.

 

[kudu]

I have shot some of the 2oz slugs out of my Ithaca Mag 10, not a horrible kick, but not something I would want to shoot on a regular basis. I shot 3 slugs into a paper plate at 50 yards, they were about 5" apart. Being a gas gun, it wasn't too bad. I would never hunt deer with it, but I just wanted to try it out. It was my go to goose gun in the day. 90 yard shots with lead BB's were not unheard of to take a goose down.

 

[JDeere]

I still have a Marlin Super Goose in 10 residing in the back of the safe. Back in the day she would take some high flying geese others had to pass on. Shells were kind of expensive but you made your shots count...

 

[cdb1]

If I ever feel the need to shoot 3.5” 12 gauge payloads, I’ll save my shekels and purchase a Gold, Mag-10 or SP-10. 10 gauge semi’s are noticeably softer shooting than 3.5 inch 12 gauge gas semi’s simply because they weigh more.

 

[Texas10mm]

To understand why 3.5" 12 gauge effectively replaced nearly all the little demand that remained for 10 gauge, you have to understand that guns like the Mossberg 825 were effectively 10 gauge. They were overbored so the bore was practically equivalent to 10 gauge, and with the 3.5" long shell, they could hold practically the same amount of shot. They could do the same things 10 gauge could do because they had the same size shot payloads and the same size bore. What they could do that 10 gauge could not do is shoot much less costly 12 gauge 2 3/4 shells.

In practical terms, you could think of the 835 like a 10 gauge where they shrank the bolt face down so it could shoot 12 gauge shells also, but it still had the chamber size and the bore size of a 10 gauge.

So why would anyone want a 10 gauge that can't shoot 12 gauge shells, when you can have one that does? (This is a rhetorical question, I don't actually need anyone to explain their irrational desires)

Now you could also ask, why was 10 gauge so unpopular even before the 835? Simple: because it wasn't a 12 gauge. Standardization and economy of scale are things.

I highly doubt the chamber was 10 gauge size.

 

[entropy]

Forgive me, but what does this mean? The only thing I can think of as far as "Conner's protector" is this...View attachment 928705Which was a 12 ga. At least I thought? Could be wrong but it doesn't appear he's loading 10 ga. shells in.

I've never needed anything more than a 12 ga. In fact, I find myself liking less oomph. 20 ga. 16 ga. is my sweet spot. Maybe other folks realized they don't need 10 ga overkill with very expensive shells too.

That said, I'd still like to own one someday

The Model 1887 was made in both 10 and 12 ga., the Model 1901 was made in 10 ga only. It is a rather awkward action to work, I have shot an original 1887 (test fire after repair) and I'd much rather have a Model 97. I believe they chose the 1887 for the movie for it's unique look.