I've decided that this spring gobbler season, I'm gonna try out a sp10 I borrowed from my uncle, if I like it , I plan to buy it from him.. Besides the weight of this beast, how bad is the recoil on this shotgun.. Little nervous to fire it .. I've shot thousands of magnum 12 gauge, but have never actuallyshot a 10g..
Sp10
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Virginian
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Recoil is not bad at all. Gas action and weighs a ton as you noted. I had it's predecessor the Ithaca for a while. Ended up with a lightened (as in machined) BPS 10 gauge. Handled better, and recoil was noticeable as they say.
Virginian
Member
When steel was a bit less efficient than it is today - the very first stuff was like shooting blanks, I am talking a few years after that junk - they opened the first swan seasons. The boys would literally be bouncing pellets off them as they flew by, you could hear them hitting the feathers. Those 10 gauges with Winchester copper coated 'T' shot would drop them right out of the sky. I know several guys who went and got a 10 after seeing that.
After tungsten came along, I went back to a 3" 12 gauge.
After tungsten came along, I went back to a 3" 12 gauge.
That is why I gave up on my vintage shotguns some years back when house buying was all the rage. Now the prices for most soft non-tox shot are about $100 per 25 cartridges. That is simply NUTS!
chas08
Member
I own an SP-10! Recoil is mild compared to a 3.5 inch round of comparable velocity and weight out of a 12 ga pump! It is my prefered Goose gun! It is heavy though! Laying flat on your back in a ricefield that ain't so bad. I'm not sure about trudging hills and hollers with it though!
Tolkachi Robotnik
Member
Okay on geese yes.
In goose blind longer barrels might be more popular for the non-hard of hearing. The gas nature of it bleeds off both recoil and a little noise though. The receiver also gets it away from your face far enough it won't be loud to you.
You will find it will be very good for large birds of all kinds. Practice with it, and work on your arm strength as you will shoot it better.
Practice loads are almost impossible to find. It is nice to be able to make your own reloads for ten gauge for this reason, you can shoot shells that aren't quite as serious. Otherwise finding light 1 1/4 ounce loads is really tough. Not that such a shell is actually very weak, in some twelve gauges 1 1/4 ounce loads are hard to shoot very much at all. They might not cycle in the SP10 but for practice that doesn't matter much.
The ten gauge turkey loads usually pattern very well indeed. Much better than some 3 1/2 inch twelve gauge loads with similar payloads. This probably due to shorter shot columns and perhaps even slower muzzle velocities.
In goose blind longer barrels might be more popular for the non-hard of hearing. The gas nature of it bleeds off both recoil and a little noise though. The receiver also gets it away from your face far enough it won't be loud to you.
You will find it will be very good for large birds of all kinds. Practice with it, and work on your arm strength as you will shoot it better.
Practice loads are almost impossible to find. It is nice to be able to make your own reloads for ten gauge for this reason, you can shoot shells that aren't quite as serious. Otherwise finding light 1 1/4 ounce loads is really tough. Not that such a shell is actually very weak, in some twelve gauges 1 1/4 ounce loads are hard to shoot very much at all. They might not cycle in the SP10 but for practice that doesn't matter much.
The ten gauge turkey loads usually pattern very well indeed. Much better than some 3 1/2 inch twelve gauge loads with similar payloads. This probably due to shorter shot columns and perhaps even slower muzzle velocities.
Deer_Freak
Member.
I bought a BPS chambered in 10 ga for deer hunting with dogs. It throws a load of buckshot at a deer but that was pre internet. Finding ammo was a PITA. Then I paid through the nose to get the ammo once I found it. I finally got a good offer on the BPS and I said good bye to the 10 ga. I have no complaints about the performance of the 10 ga. Ammo prices and availability was my issue with the 10 ga.
chas08
Member
Yes, absolutely! Mine is the 26 inch version and measures very close to a 28 inch 1100 in length. It works great in the ricefields! Easily dropping birds at 60 -70 yards with T-Shot if you can get the lead right at that range.
I had an SP-10 for over 5 years and harvested turkey every year. It was a real PITA to carry through the woods. I finally sold it and opted for a Benelli Super Black Eagle chambered in 3 1/2". So much lighter and really put the hurt on those long beards.
My dad owns 2 benellis, one is the sbe2 and a legacy sport.both are fine shotguns..and yes the sp10 is a tad heavy"lol" it's not that big a deal considering what it's capable of on geese , plus I'm getting it for about 500 bucks, which is a lot cheaper then a new 1600 dollar benelli.. The 10g is just for specific things.. Any toting through the woods for deer or such.. I have an 1187sp for that
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redneck2
Member
I've used an SP-10 for maybe 10-12 years for turkeys. #5 Hevi-Shot and a Tru-Lock choke. Tried to pattern it at 40 yards. Blew the center out of the target. Little tough to count pellet holes that way.
I've had witnessed DRT kills at 67, 61, and several at 50+ yards. Shells are expensive, but it should only take one.
The Tru-Lock is expensive and worth every nickle. Throws absolutely true patterns that are extremely tight. Machined from a solid block of steel. If you order one, they will ask specifically which shells you intend to use as it makes a difference in how it's finished. Those guys know their business.
The gun's heavy, but I'm only 5'7", and 62 YO. I carry it all day. Still isn't fun. Turkey hunting you should be sitting a lot more than walking. A pump 3 1/2" 12 gauge kicks WAY, WAY more than the SP. Recoil is no worse than a moderate weight 20 gauge with heavy field loads.
I've had witnessed DRT kills at 67, 61, and several at 50+ yards. Shells are expensive, but it should only take one.
The Tru-Lock is expensive and worth every nickle. Throws absolutely true patterns that are extremely tight. Machined from a solid block of steel. If you order one, they will ask specifically which shells you intend to use as it makes a difference in how it's finished. Those guys know their business.
The gun's heavy, but I'm only 5'7", and 62 YO. I carry it all day. Still isn't fun. Turkey hunting you should be sitting a lot more than walking. A pump 3 1/2" 12 gauge kicks WAY, WAY more than the SP. Recoil is no worse than a moderate weight 20 gauge with heavy field loads.
chas08
Member
I'm sure you know not to shoot steel or hevi-shot through that choke, but I didn't want to let it go unsaid!
They do have a distinctive report! The SP-10 is a lot easier on my bad shoulder than the BPS 10ga that it replaced! And a whole bunch easier than my 3.5" 12ga. 870 Supermag!...lol
I run a Patternmaster in mine for Geese! I've never shot lead through it!
Tolkachi Robotnik
Member
Copper plated lead fine
As long as it is lead the super tight choke is probably okay. You should not try steel or hevishot through the super tight chokes though, they will put a lot more pressure on the end of the barrel. And never slugs.
For ten gauge the super tight choke you probably want is the one you can find. There will be a lot less of those around than for a twelve gauge.
Every gun is different and those super chokes are sometimes almost unique. I have one for a twelve gauge and I really like it. It says Undertaker on it. You can miss turkeys with them, but it does keep the shot out of the drumsticks better. Even with the super tight chokes, the specific shotshells used can make a difference on the patterns. The important thing seems to be to have velocities not too fast, so wad and shot charge separate just as it comes out the bore/superchoke. The super tight chokes are better about grabbing the wad as it comes through.
As long as it is lead the super tight choke is probably okay. You should not try steel or hevishot through the super tight chokes though, they will put a lot more pressure on the end of the barrel. And never slugs.
For ten gauge the super tight choke you probably want is the one you can find. There will be a lot less of those around than for a twelve gauge.
Every gun is different and those super chokes are sometimes almost unique. I have one for a twelve gauge and I really like it. It says Undertaker on it. You can miss turkeys with them, but it does keep the shot out of the drumsticks better. Even with the super tight chokes, the specific shotshells used can make a difference on the patterns. The important thing seems to be to have velocities not too fast, so wad and shot charge separate just as it comes out the bore/superchoke. The super tight chokes are better about grabbing the wad as it comes through.
Gordon
Member
What I use with #4 copper plated lead shot
http://compare.ebay.com/like/140892632070?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
http://compare.ebay.com/like/140892632070?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
Virginian
Member
In my opinion, name brand choke tubes in general all work about equally well. The constriction versus bore diameter is the key ingredient. I have shot thousands of patterns to come to that conclusion. The fancy names do what they are intended to do too; make the manufacturers more money.
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