10 gauge tacticality?

[La Pistoletta]

Exactly how does a 10 gauge compare to a 12? Would it ever be a wise choice to make on for a combat shotgun or is it too big 'n brute?
If not, what are they actually used for and what are the shotguns that fire them like?

 

[Wildalaska]

All that needs to be said is....

Ithaca Road Blocker

Look it up

WildblastfromthepastAlaska

 

[kudu]

The 10ga is a niche gun. Usually used for hunting waterfowl, especially geese, it is extremely effective because of it's high payload of shot. It has a much shorter shot string than a 3.5" 12ga shotgun which results in better hits on flying critters.

As far as tacticality it would do alright if enough loads were available, but even a load of lead #2's would be deadly out to 60+ yards.

I have an old Ithaca Mag 10 semi-auto 10ga. It is basicaly the same as the Remington SP10, as IIRC Remington bought the rights for. Although I never shoot more than a box or two of shells a year through it I have never had a malfunction.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I doubt you'll be able to equip a 10 gauge shotgun with the latest in tactical bling-bling.

User comfort and efficiency (recoil management, follow-up shots and wieldiness) are issues I'd be concerned about with a 10 gauge "combat shotgun".

 

[La Pistoletta]

Are there any 10 gauge solid slugs available? If so, do you think there's any bulletproof vest that could block them at 100 yards and closer?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Brister described firing any 10 gauge other than the gas action Ithaca (ancestor to the SP 10 Remington) as like being in a car wreck.

One of the things that pulled the M-14 from service was that the 10 lb weight was deemed too much for highly trained and fit young men to carry into battle.

A non gas action 10 gauge should weigh 11 lbs or more or be a gross violation of the Rule of 96.

Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. The 10 is too much for this mission....

 

[kudu]

IIRC 10 ga slugs were 2oz chunks of lead going about 1400-1500fps.


I think most vests could block the penetration of a 10ga slug, but the blunt trauma force would be several inches into the vest I would have to think. Severe shock would probably break ribs and possibly destroy heat and lung tissue without actualy penetrating.

 

[Gordon]

I posted recently on my MEGA MACHO 20" SxS Spanish 10ga. I also have a Browning BPS but have not got the 24" factory slug barre,YET. I had to find reloading equiptment for 10ga; NOBODY within 150 miles sells anything except some $23 a box steel goose drops. Since the fine old AyA ejector SxS was no good for steel, I just HAD to have 12" cut off the barrel. That reduced the weight from 11.5 lbs to 9.5lbs. A nicely fitted for me Limbsaver pad does what the name implys. 54 #4 buck per shot would be awesome in the home! 18 OO buck per would be awesome outside! From what I've seen the cyl. bores of my gun are more uniform and round at the 30yard max I've patterned it than 12ga. I know the BPS really whacks ducks and geese with steel better than any 12 for me. I have not found any rifled slugs yet. To be honest it IS a niche gun, and only a gun nut like me could make the system work. If you aren't serious about being a 10ga affectinado, then use the (tactically) more effective , and infinitely cheaper and less hassle 12ga

 

[sm]

Wildalaska

Ithaca Road Blocker

Before the word "tactical" became grossly overused and took on new meanings,folks used tools for the task and had reasons for methods and tools.
Now my buddy worked a lone stretch of highway all by himself. His sidearm was a Mod 58 ( .41 cal), He kept "handy" a model 37 pistol grip , a model 37 full stock "riot gun", a model 70 in '06.

Now when the call came about the black Dodge Charger , involved in the shooting of a fellow officer, and last clocked doing 120mph...was on "his" road...

He "Blocked the Road" with another Ithaca he kept for special circumstances.

At 6'5" and pure muscle he literally tossed the two "gentleman" driving out of the car, waiting on backup, puffing on a cigar...'bout time you got here".

That 440 was in need of serious attn...serious rebuild.

 

[45crittergitter]

3.5" 10 ga. and 12 ga. payloads are about the same, as are velocities (12 ga. 3.5" loaded to higher pressure). However, most 10 ga. repeaters weigh some 10-11 pounds, while my 12 ga. 3.5" auto only weighs 7. I reckon the 10 is much more pleasant to shoot, but the big 12 is far, far easier to carry and handle. I can stand the punishing recoil of a few 2.25 oz. loads in a 7# gun easier than I can try to swing an 11# gun.

 

[TimRB]

"I think most vests could block the penetration of a 10ga slug, but the blunt trauma force would be several inches into the vest I would have to think. Severe shock would probably break ribs and possibly destroy heat and lung tissue without actualy penetrating."

An instructor of mine told us a story about just such a question. At a school where he was teaching at the time, they decided to see if a vest would stop a 12GA slug, so they cut a piece of 3/4 inch plywood to size, fit a vest over it, and fired. I don't know the range, but it was probably close. The slug never actually penetrated the vest, but the slug/vest combo punched an impressive hole through the plywood. He came away thinking that a vest offered no meaningful protection against slugs.

That said, after firing plenty of 12GA slugs, I can't even *imagine* wanting to shoot 10GA. Geez...use a rifle.

Tim

 

[Smoke]

Availability of guns and ammo is limited to say the least.

Haven't seen a "value pack" of any 10ga load in Walmart.

We have a pretty decent gun store here, they don't carry any 10ga guns or shells. I don't know a place that does either.

I'll stick with 12ga.

Smoke

 

[sm]

Smoke

I agree, gimme a 12 ga. for the same reasons...

I've reloaded 10 ga...dang...25# bag of shot depletes right quick I might add.

 

[SteelyDan]

I'm still not sure what "tacticality" means, but I'm quite familiar with 10 gauge capabilities. In a nutshell, I think they provide some decent defensive options against floods of invading zombies. Otherwise, there are better choices. Though I have wondered how well they would do, with a load of buckshot, at opening a door that someone didn't want to open.

 

[pauli]

/me contemplates a pg only, double 10ga sawed off at the 10" mark...

 

[Joshua Hutchison]

* Imagines Pauli's arm bones disintergrating from the thought of that*

 

[La Pistoletta]

By "tacticality", I meant how well they could be used as a combat weapon. A full-size, 10 gauge buckshot might be too much, or maybe it would actually be 'more gun' to ensure a quick punchdown?