I am not happy with my semi 12 ga I don't want to go into details about it and I have been thinking about getting a pump and been looking at the 835 and the 535 but I have heard that the recoil is worst then a bps 10ga so it got me to thibking about a 10ga but I'm just not sure how well it would be duck hunting all day. I could see one for turkey but I am just not sure how well it would be duck hunting I am just thinking right now im not going to rush in right now but I am thinking thanks
browning bps 10 ga
- Thread starter jrbaker90
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Virginian
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I had three of them. The last one I machined off quite a bit of weight. One of my machinists made his own card shooting barrels and he got interested in my project and it looked very good. They are as good as it gets in pump guns, never had a single bobble, but I still prefer the ergonomics of a Wingmaster, so after tungsten came along I went back to a 3" 12 gauge. The BPS was the lightest 10 gauge going, but it was/is still heavy. Nothing will reach out there like a 10 gauge with the right loads, but you have to practice to take advantage of that. Shells are more expensive, and the availability of a variety of loads is not usually that good locally. I do not think you need it for ducks, but for geese and swans it is outstanding. You need to decide if you need the capabilities enough to put up with the disadvantages.
MCgunner
Member
Yes, indeed, the BPS 10 is MUCH easier on the shoulder than shooting 3.5" 12 out of a 535. i own a 535 and my best buddy has a BPS10. The weight really helps. But, for duck hunting I shoot 2 3/4" 2 or 3 fast steel. I'm not sure why you'd wanna shoot a 10 at ducks. Fast steel in 2 3/4" does the trick just fine. Perhaps you're pass shootin' them? 2 3/4" or even 3" 12 is SO much easier on the body than 3.5" and I have a limbsaver on the 535. A box of shells out of that thing on geeee would be brutal. I've fired 21 rounds out of my 10 before, a little sore in the shoulder, but nothing to write home about.
I have an H&R 10 gauge, a 9 lb gun, and use it on geese. Snows can be WAY up there on a blue bird day and what with the price of hevishot now days, my 10 has already paid for itself. 10 gauge steel T works better than 3" BB hevishot for me. For one reason, the patterns are over 90 percent in a 30" pattern board at 40 yards, best patterning gun I've ever fired. My 12's best patterns with 3.5" are in the low 80 percent range, good patterns, but don't compare to the 10. I'm not saying the BPS will pattern that well, but I'm betting it'll be better than the best you can get with a 3.5" 12 because not only my experience, bot others I've talked to will corroborate me on this.
But, if you're hunting ducks over decoys like I do, even in the open bay, a 2 3/4" fast steel load is all you'll ever need and they're cheaper. 3" is overkill. My 10 is strictly a snow goose getter. The BPS is my favorite pump, even though i don't have one. The ergos, especially for a lefty, are far superior to anything with a crossbolt safety and not having a shell elevator in the way is the only way to go on a cold morning when you're wearing gloves. However, my Mossbergs shares these features, shoot just as good as any other 12, and are lighter as they have aluminium receivers. That's a big bonus when the gun has to come up fast on those early morning, low flying teal. Even the BPS 12 is heavier than the Mossberg. The 10 is an even bigger lump of steel.
I have an H&R 10 gauge, a 9 lb gun, and use it on geese. Snows can be WAY up there on a blue bird day and what with the price of hevishot now days, my 10 has already paid for itself. 10 gauge steel T works better than 3" BB hevishot for me. For one reason, the patterns are over 90 percent in a 30" pattern board at 40 yards, best patterning gun I've ever fired. My 12's best patterns with 3.5" are in the low 80 percent range, good patterns, but don't compare to the 10. I'm not saying the BPS will pattern that well, but I'm betting it'll be better than the best you can get with a 3.5" 12 because not only my experience, bot others I've talked to will corroborate me on this.
But, if you're hunting ducks over decoys like I do, even in the open bay, a 2 3/4" fast steel load is all you'll ever need and they're cheaper. 3" is overkill. My 10 is strictly a snow goose getter. The BPS is my favorite pump, even though i don't have one. The ergos, especially for a lefty, are far superior to anything with a crossbolt safety and not having a shell elevator in the way is the only way to go on a cold morning when you're wearing gloves. However, my Mossbergs shares these features, shoot just as good as any other 12, and are lighter as they have aluminium receivers. That's a big bonus when the gun has to come up fast on those early morning, low flying teal. Even the BPS 12 is heavier than the Mossberg. The 10 is an even bigger lump of steel.
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I have been hunting with a BPS 10 for years. It does kick less and pattern better than any 3.5" 12ga I have ever tried. That being said, 90% of the time a 3" 12ga will more than cover what you need to do waterfowl hunting. The big downside to the 10ga is that shells are more expensive and harder to find than 12ga. The big manufacturers are only offering a couple loads these days also.
MCgunner
Member
Well, I do have a MEC 10 gauge press, but don't load much on it as I only shoot 10 on geese. 10 gauge is a few dollars (not that much) more than 3.5" 12, quite a bit more'n 2 3/4 or 3" 12, perhaps double the price of those. But, the Walmart in El Campo stocks shelves full of 10 gauge T shot. This is goose hunting country.
I can see where there'd not be much to choose from in some parts of the country, though. And, yeah, you might have to roll your own 3 or 4 shot. Don't think I've ever seen any 10 with that small of shot other than turkey loads in lead, not steel. I haven't checked, but I'd be surprised if the Walmart in Columbus (Texas) doesn't stock 10 gauge T shot, too, what with the proximity of Eagle Lake and all the outfitters over there. Yeah, I wouldn't wanna spend 30 bucks a box for 10 gauge just to shoot ducks, though. I can do it for around 10 in 12 gauge 2 3/4" fast steel. If you are going to use a 10 on ducks, best get into reloading.
chas08
Member
I can't add much to whats been said already. I've owned one since the mid 80's. It was a huge advantage in the days of crappy steel shot loads. Nowadays not so much. Where it really shines is delivering large payloads of large steel shot.I use mine for Geese and Cranes only nowadays. But with a 1 3/4 oz load of #2 steel, it can fold a duck at ranges you shouldn't speak about!
SeekHer
Member
I love Browning, hate recoil, love the 10 bore and abhor a pump action.
Have you considered the Browning Silver semi auto in 10...I bought one as my Ithaca Mag 10 was starting to get old (bought it brand new when they first came out) so I retired it...The Ithaca made it feel like I was shooting 12 bore duck loads while the Browning is like I'm shooting light field loads.
Have you considered the Browning Silver semi auto in 10...I bought one as my Ithaca Mag 10 was starting to get old (bought it brand new when they first came out) so I retired it...The Ithaca made it feel like I was shooting 12 bore duck loads while the Browning is like I'm shooting light field loads.
I been thinking I just think I would be better off with another 12ga semi but I will get one of better quality I looked at a remington versa max yesterday the black synthetic I was amazed it shoulder beautifully I loved the 2 bead sights the recoil pad felt good it felt really balanced. I know this this is saying a lot but to me it felt as good if not better then my Belgium a5 does as far and the feel and balance. Thanks
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