3 1/2 inch 10 Gauge
 

I was bitten by the Short 10 bug a couple years back and currently have two. A Remington 1894 CE and an E.M. Reilly. I would like to do some experimenting with the 3.5 10 and currently looking to buy one. I like the Ithaca NID, Beretta but open to any good ones...not any Parker's out there I can find. I would like to hear of others experiences with these or other guns if any are willing to share. Handling characteristics and tight patterns are of particular interest. Thanks!

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http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/...534#Post497534

Ask Bill Janelle about the 3.5" 10ga. I saw him kill a goose at an honest 70 yards with an Ithaca 10 magnum NID but the gun knocked him over too. :whistle:

I've owned no less then four guns that were chambered for the 10 gauge 3 1/2" . The first was a brand spanking new Remington SP-10 in 1990 it was one of the first year guns with a 26" barrel . I bought it for turkey and once I had it I started shooting 2 1/4 ounce turkey loads . Back then I crawled the stock like one wouldn't believe my nose was always against my thumb anyway the first shot with that cannon made me think I broke my nose but in reality it literally knocked the snot out of me .
Years later I got the bug again and before I knew it I had a pair of Ithaca MAG-10 autos and a Browning BPS all with 30 or 32 inch pipes . And as one might expect they all shot nicely .
Somewhere in all of that I got the hots to get a Benelli SBE and I wanted that one for Sika deer at Chincoteague NWR . Patterened a fair amount of 3 1/2" buck with that thing and it most certainly rapped you more then the 10 autoloaders .
Now I've pretty well settled on 2 7/8" 10's for most of that stuff . But I did today buy a slightly used MEC Steelmaster so I can have a press strictly for 12 gauge 3" to load for my Superposed Mag and A-5 Mag .

It is most certainly a viciouse cycle and I suppose I'll play it until I die :rotf:

If I really wanted good patterns and handling I would leave the ten gauge double idea behind and go for a pump or auto 10 gauge still in production such as:

http://www.browning.com/products/fir...e-stalker.html

Any old double gun will only give you a maximum of about .040 constriction whereas a modern pump can be fitted with an aftermarket extended choke tube. You can find choke tubes all the way down to .110 constriction for lead shot with Briley's Invector 10ga Super Turkey straight rifled choke tube .665. Pump gun would weigh in at the 10 1/2 lb range.

But, the biggest incentive to buy the Browning 10 gauge pump gun might be it's most attractive handling feature, it's price, under $699.00, new in a box!

Bill

you can still buy a spanish double barrel 10 fairly cheap they are good guns but kick like the devil...if you shoot the 3 1/2 inch gun then shoot the short 2 7/8 10 ga gun the short ten will come up the winner every time in handling aspects....i have both guns and the short ten handles better...charlie

many years ago - i was going through the doubles at the long gone store once run by Doug Turnbull's dad (just to say how many)- there was one of those big Spanish 10 gauges there and a young guy was looking at it with his girl friend or wife looking on

he saw me look at the gun in his hands, held it up and asked "what do you think?"

i smiled and said "I don't think I would shoot it straight up if I was standing in soft ground"

i'll agree with Charlie - i find the short ten a delight to shoot -

I've only shot one turkey with this gun, but he fell dead at 45 yards. Certainly not an Ithaca or Beretta but Spanish and imported under the name of Mercuri Magnum (yes, how they spelled it) but it is solid and well made with good case colors and nice walnut and checkering. No kick with 2 1/4 ounces 3.5 inch loads due to 32" sewer pipes, but still handles well and not too heavy to carry.

I decided I needed this Field grade Ithaca this spring. I haven't had a chance to use it much. It's close to a legal 8 ga.

I'd like an Ithaca NID Mag 10 double , but all the Spanish or Italian 3 1/2" guns have always felt clubby to me . But I'll say this "if" I owned a Parker 8 gauge I'd use it here in VA not for waterfowl but you can bet your bottom dollar I'd kill deer and or turkey with it .