#4 vs #5 for short 10 ga
 

After being really disappointed with #7.5 shot , im going to order probably #5 loads from rst next time for the short 10 ga . I used to hunt #4 with my 10 ga magnm and it hit like thunder , So im wondering how it will perform in the short 10 ga pattern density wise ? Im thinking with it being a lighter load perhaps it will pattern better or maybe I should stay with #5 shot . When im in the woods nothing tears through the leaves and squirrels though like a load of 4s imo . I havnt missed anything with the 7.5s but it just lacks killing power . Should I try 4s or 5s next in my short 10 ?

I've not fired any RST shells I load all my own . But so far I've been having good luck with 1 1/4 ounce loads of #8 and #4 . It's my intention to try a 1 1/2 ounce load of #4's for spring turkeys . Possibly later on I'll try one ounce and ounce and an eighth loads in the ten with #9 for impromptu skeet or dove loads .

I use 1oz light loads in my 10s. Squirle's don't stand a chance with #5 shot.

I use 1 1/8 oz loads . Wayne have you noticed if the 1oz loads shoot dirtier than heavy loads ? The 1 1/8 oz loads shoot while I like them are very dirty even have the 2 shots looks like I been shooting black powder lol . I think if I went with the 1 1/4 oz loads theyd probably burn cleaner though I like the low recoil of the 1 1/8s .
Craig my thinking was when I bought 7.5# loads was I could hunt and use them on skeet but I havnt even shot any skeet with the 10 ga yet . I have seen people fight over using #9s on quail Craig

I found that 6's are the go to shot size for my 10's, 1 to 1 1/8 th oz load should work just fine, 1 1/4 for bigger jobs ,scott

I wish ballistic products had it in stock by the box so I could try different sizes

milt nothing hammers a squirl or bird like a no4 but for all around use the 6 is the best shot as already stated but there is no satisfaction like the shot you think is best..charlie

Milton, you're probably gonna have some unburnt powder with light loads. I get it with 3/4oz in the 12, but as I've always said it's only in there till the next shot then it gets blown out. Now BP - that stays in there and builds up shot after shot. Try shooting 150 BP shells in a day at clays - now you got something to clean. As well as powder there's lead fouling to get out. Ah, the joy of shooting smoke.

Milton as far as I am concerned all shotgun powder shoot dirty. Just take a bore snake with you. One bull through the barrels and keep on shooting. Me I don't worry about it. I just clean them when I get home.

Good point on the black powder . though I would shoot it in a pinch . My right barrel has moderate pitting so I stay away from bp . Now I cleaned my barrels in white vinegar and they don't foul with powder as bad . Wayne I really should get a bore snake my usual method is using my tipton cleaning rod and I just stuff toilet paper down the barrel and push it through . that works pretty well so far .