LC Smith 10 gauge

[CraigThompson]

Picked up an LC Smith 10 gauge today !
Gun was made in 1890 and is steel twist . Thirty inch barrels modified and modified . Overall it needs a good cleaning , but all in all I think it's a shooter !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LC1_zps5c80a1b4.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LC1_zps5c80a1b4.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LC2_zpse7d39c78.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LC2_zpse7d39c78.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LC3_zpsc6a0cee0.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LC3_zpsc6a0cee0.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LC4_zps86ad3a05.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LC4_zps86ad3a05.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LC5_zps094ebb2c.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LC5_zps094ebb2c.png.html)

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

That sure looks like a keeper. Thomas

[Pete Lester]

It looks like it would be a great shooter. I see the Trap Gun butt plate, does it have trap gun dimensions?

[CraigThompson]

It looks like it would be a great shooter. I see the Trap Gun butt plate, does it have trap gun dimensions?

I haven't measured the stock dimensions but I can say that when you throw it up it seems to have dimensions closer to what we would have today rather then what one would "assume" was normal for a gun from the 1890's !

If I'm able to go to the range this coming week I plan to shoot right and left barrel patterns with 00 Buck at 25 yards . Might even try my 1 1/4 ounce #8 dove loads as well .

[Frank Cronin]

LC Smith Syracuse hammerless guns came with the trap gun plate. This was marketing strategy by the factory since the game of trap was becoming very popular during this time period. These guns could be used for trap and also for the field.

LC hammergun butt plates had a setter pointed on a rock.

[Craig Larter]

I am kind of a 10ga LC Smith nut, your Elsie appears to be a Quality 2 grade, the barrels are "good" damascus not twist. It was an $80.00 gun back in 1886. Enjoy.

[Bill Murphy]

A sweet ten Syracuse gun. Post your serial number and specs on the L.C. Smith forum so they can add it to the Syracuse Smith serial number list.

[CraigThompson]

I am kind of a 10ga LC Smith nut, your Elsie appears to be a Quality 2 grade, the barrels are "good" damascus not twist. It was an $80.00 gun back in 1886. Enjoy.

Whats the difference between Quality 1 and Quality 2 ?
I "assumed" since this one has virtually no engraving it was Quality 1 ?

[CraigThompson]

The picture isn't the greatest but it's of the pattern of the steel on the barrels from beneath the forend .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LC6_zpsaddbaefd.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LC6_zpsaddbaefd.png.html)

[Craig Larter]

There never was a Quality 1 during the Syracuse period----Quality 2 was the entry level hammerless gun. Here is a Quality 3 which only has a bit more engraving but a better quality Damascus barrel and normally better wood quality.

[CraigThompson]

The fellow I got this Smith from has a bunch of stuff he "says" he wants to sell . Including some Parkers and more Smiths . I am hoping he'll have a decent Parker 10 I can acquire at a decent but fair price .

He brought this one in yesterday with a bunch of other stuff that "his son" he said hadn't taken care of .

He claims to have about 80 Lugers he wants us to move for him . Not exactly my thing but I wouldn't mnd a decent DWM from the WWI time period for my father .

He brought in what would have been a really nice Browning Safari on the FN action in 7mm Rem Mag . But by the time he got it to us the rust was a bit much !

This Smith was sitting in the rack and at first i thought it was just a 12 . He also brought in a old "Sloan's Spanish" 10 gauge in pretty sad shape . I was messing with that thinking I might be able to salvage it for some buckshot or whatever . And then I got to looking at the Smith and the Sloan gun was cast aside !

[CraigThompson]

Okay i just reviewed the Blue Book and it says ,

Quality 0 started in 1895

Quality 1 started in 1892

So as you said mine has to be Quality 2 !

I am glad to see the prices for the three grades in this book are pretty much the same so atleast I didn't screw the guy !

[Mark Landskov]

Very nice! I wonder if this is an actual 'Lyman Cornelius Smith' gun. I believe that was about the time he sold out and moved on to typewriters and such.

[Craig Larter]

Grade 0 and 1 were made by LC Smith in Fulton NY, your gun proceeds that period it is Syracuse NY produced and it is a QUALITY 2 gun not a GRADE 2 Fulton produced gun. The grade numbering system changed after the company moved to Fulton. The Blue Book must only list Fulton era guns.

[CraigThompson]

Grade 0 and 1 were made by LC Smith in Fulton NY, your gun proceeds that period it is Syracuse NY produced and it is a QUALITY 2 gun not a GRADE 2 Fulton produced gun. The grade numbering system changed after the company moved to Fulton. The Blue Book must only list Fulton era guns.

Nope it lists both .

And you are correct it says Quality 2 .

According to the "Blue Book" the gun I have seriel numbers to 1890 , but when one reads deeper into the "Syracuse Style" guns it say by seriel number this gun was most likely made in Fulton also .

It also shows the "Quality 0 and 1" in the same 1886-1895 grouping .

The Blue Book says ;

Syracuse guns seriel number;
16,000-16,999
18,000-20,999
22,000-23,500

And Fulton guns ;
30,000-40-334

It calls all of these as "Syracuse style guns" .

To further in this grouping they show

Quality 0 new 1895
Quality 1 new 1892
Quality 2
Quality 3
down to Quality 7

They also say Quality 4-7 a total of 550 produced .

[CraigThompson]

The Blue Book also claims they made some 8 gauge guns from 1892-1913 I'd be intrested to know approx how many of those they produced !

[Frank Cronin]

Not many 8's. I think 23?

[CraigThompson]

Not many 8's. I think 23?

Well that settles it !

I'll most likely never get a Parker 8 gauge hammerless , looks about 99.9% sure thing I'll never get a LC Smith 8 gauge and about 2000% that I'll never get a Colt 1883 8 gauge :crying:

[charlie cleveland]

i know that there was over32 of the lc smith 8 ga made but i bet the number is even higher...charlie

[Bill Murphy]

Eight gauge Parkers are not hard to find, they are only hard to pay for. Smith eights are hard to find and hard to pay for.

[Pete Lester]

Well that settles it !

I'll most likely never get a Parker 8 gauge hammerless , looks about 99.9% sure thing I'll never get a LC Smith 8 gauge and about 2000% that I'll never get a Colt 1883 8 gauge :crying:

Parker's , L.C. Smith's, W.C. Scott's , 444 Marlin's , cast bullets , Sika Deer and the Philippines !

[CraigThompson]

Parker's , L.C. Smith's, W.C. Scott's , 444 Marlin's , cast bullets , Sika Deer and the Philippines !

Actually I've had a couple other Smith's for well over 35 years . Have one Ideal 12 gauge and another kinda beater 12 gauge Field Grade someone sent to Westley Richards and had he barrels sleaved .

[CraigThompson]

Eight gauge Parkers are not hard to find, they are only hard to pay for. Smith eights are hard to find and hard to pay for.

So whats the "assumed" amount of Colt 1883 8 gauges or was Grover Clevelands the only one known ?

[Robert Delk]

I thought that was a Lefever.

[Robert Delk]

You're right. I checked the NRA museum and they said it was the only Colt made in 8 guage.You learn every day.

[Bill Murphy]

In addition to the many eight gauge Parkers, few Smiths, one Colt, there are a few Lefevers out there. If you want to obtain an eight gauge for your collection, you should attend side by side shoots where PGCA and the L.C. Smith Collectors Association have a display presence. Most of the Smith eight gauges are in the collection of one person. He can't need all of them. Maybe he will turn one loose for you.

[CraigThompson]

In addition to the many eight gauge Parkers, few Smiths, one Colt, there are a few Lefevers out there. If you want to obtain an eight gauge for your collection, you should attend side by side shoots where PGCA and the L.C. Smith Collectors Association have a display presence. Most of the Smith eight gauges are in the collection of one person. He can't need all of them. Maybe he will turn one loose for you.

Everything that intrests me is kinda like Lays Potatoe Chips !

Just one is never enough :rotf::rotf:

While any thing I acquire does go in my modest accumulation I have a rule now . Everything I buy must be shot in some form and usually everything I buy within reason needs to be blooded at some point !

[Bill Murphy]

That shouldn't be a problem with a Parker or Smith eight. The shells are easy to load and the gun is just another gun, just heavier.

[Drew Hause]

Grover Cleveland 1907, with his 8g Colt. Courtesy of NJ Div. of Parks and Forestry, State Park Service, Grover Cleveland Birthplace State Historic Site

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/20002415/371711424.jpg

[CraigThompson]

Got out to the range this morning about 8:45 and it was actually rather pleasent !


I took my new to me LC Smith 10 gauge of 1890 vintage !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Range%207-31-13/R7-31_zps0967e360.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Range%207-31-13/R7-31_zps0967e360.png.html)

All at 25 yards .

Tried 00 right barrel !


http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Range%207-31-13/R7-31a_zps3d99b00b.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Range%207-31-13/R7-31a_zps3d99b00b.png.html)

00 left barrel ,

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Range%207-31-13/R7-31b_zpse55731e2.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Range%207-31-13/R7-31b_zpse55731e2.png.html)

#1 right barrel ,

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Range%207-31-13/R7-31d_zpse08146b9.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Range%207-31-13/R7-31d_zpse08146b9.png.html)

#1 left barrel ,

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Range%207-31-13/R7-31c_zpsc83597ba.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Range%207-31-13/R7-31c_zpsc83597ba.png.html)

#3 right barrel ,

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Range%207-31-13/R7-31e_zpsa6185948.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Range%207-31-13/R7-31e_zpsa6185948.png.html)

#3 left barrel ,

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Range%207-31-13/R7-31f_zps7d7dd4da.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Range%207-31-13/R7-31f_zps7d7dd4da.png.html)

[CraigThompson]

All the pellets didn't hit the target . With the 00 Buck there were 12 pellets in each shell , with the #1 I got 16 pellets per shell and with the #3 Buck I was getting 28 pellets per shell .

These were all non buffered loads I might add . When I tried buffered and not in my W&C Scott I so no appreciable difference in the patterns so for my needs non is fine . Or so it has been so far .

[charlie cleveland]

if that hada been a deer he d either drop right in his tracks orwould not go very far.. craig which one of the buck shot loads do you like best... with the patterns your old guns a throwing i would not be afraid to shoot out to 40 yards...i like the sound of the no 3 buck...charlie

[CraigThompson]

if that hada been a deer he d either drop right in his tracks orwould not go very far.. craig which one of the buck shot loads do you like best... with the patterns your old guns a throwing i would not be afraid to shoot out to 40 yards...i like the sound of the no 3 buck...charlie

I used the same 00 load in my W&C so I'm kinda leaning towards the #1 Buck load .

And actually I need to find some more #3 Buck as all I have was from reclaimed shells . And that is close to gone , I think I have enough #3 Buck to load maybe 10 shells .

I'm supposed to meet some old friends for skeet friday . If I can tonight I might load up enough for one round of skeet with the LC tommorrow or a round of Jap Trap .

I am truely hoping the guy that brought this one in , has a decent hammerless Parker 10 gauge !

[Bill Murphy]

I have a Parker 32" gun, #86,988 that was bored for buckshot by Parker Brothers. If I can come up with a box of #00 or #1, I will check her out. I will order a letter and find out if she was patterned with buckshot. I've never seen a stock book entry that specified buckshot.

[Pete Lester]

I have a Parker 32" gun, #86,988 that was bored for buckshot by Parker Brothers. If I can come up with a box of #00 or #1, I will check her out. I will order a letter and find out if she was patterned with buckshot. I've never seen a stock book entry that specified buckshot.

What does bored for buckshot measure; bore diameter, choke constriction, lenght of taper?

[CraigThompson]

I had wanted to make some roundball loads for my W&C Scott 10 gauge . But the constriction in the barrels makes it quite hard to get a roundball that will do what I consider well , Perhaps I can pursue the roundball in a REM SP-10 wad with this LC Smith .

[CraigThompson]

I loaded up 30 rounds with 1 1/4 ounces of #8 shot for a round of skeet tommorrow . This thing is choked not quite as tight as my W&C so I'm intrested to see how it does .

[CraigThompson]

Well I shot a round with the LC and did okay 23 of 25 . However the extractor doesn't seem to have a very strong spring as it opens okay but before I can get the second hull out it drops . We'll look nto this monday or tuesday I think !

[Drew Hause]

Craig: you should have the First Type (disc & pin) Barrel Check, used 1884-1900 on extractor guns.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/15234180/366661897.jpg

They do tend to get gunked up, but removal for cleaning is a challenge

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/15234180/336540472.jpg

David Williamson on the LCSCA site could help

[CraigThompson]

Craig: you should have the First Type (disc & pin) Barrel Check, used 1884-1900 on extractor guns.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/15234180/366661897.jpg

They do tend to get gunked up, but removal for cleaning is a challenge

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/15234180/336540472.jpg

David Williamson on the LCSCA site could help

Yes that's what it looks like before taking it apart . My gunsmith buddy will get into it Monday I think . I'm hoping its just dirty in there . I haven't figured out how to get on the LC forum short of becoming and LC Assoc member !

[Drew Hause]

You do not need to join the LCSCA to post here http://members.boardhost.com/lcsmith/

[CraigThompson]

Is this under rib on my LC correct and a factory thing or is this an add on !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LCSmith001_zps3979ab1b.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LCSmith001_zps3979ab1b.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LCSmith002_zps6aa93563.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/LCSmith002_zps6aa93563.jpg.html)

[Craig Larter]

The rib is correct factory for Syracuse guns. What happened to the barrel stop?? The mechanism in the round hole.

[Drew Hause]

It's a First Style Reinforcing Wedge. The earliest example found to date is an 1893 A1 with damascus barrels. It is possible that the wedge was added at a later date.
Scroll about 1/2 way down here for other examples, and I added your image
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/15234180
David Williamson on the LCSCA site has a better DOM list for Syracuse and early Fulton guns.

BTW: the barrels are Laminated Steel and the rough forged tubes were from Birmingham; note the Provisional Proof mark.

[CraigThompson]

The rib is correct factory for Syracuse guns. What happened to the barrel stop?? The mechanism in the round hole.

We pulled that out to check it and clean it , my extractor doesn't want to stay up very well !

And thanks for the info I was kinda thinking that may have been an after market .

[CraigThompson]

It's a First Style Reinforcing Wedge. The earliest example found to date is an 1893 A1 with damascus barrels. It is possible that the wedge was added at a later date.
Scroll about 1/2 way down here for other examples, and I added your image
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/15234180
David Williamson on the LCSCA site has a better DOM list for Syracuse and early Fulton guns.

BTW: the barrels are Laminated Steel and the rough forged tubes were from Birmingham; note the Provisional Proof mark.

Well then my gun seriel numbers to 1890 so now I have the earliest known :whistle:

Thanks that link was helpfull !

I thought the barrels were more of a twist rather then damascus !

Actually I snapped the left barrel firing pin last night . So at the moment I need to replace the firing pin , replace the spring in the forend and figure out why the extractor won't stay up even though "it appears" that everythings there and intact !

[Ray Masciarella]

Bill, I have seen a letter for a DH that said it was patterned for buck shot. If I recall correctly, the original owner was in La.

[CraigThompson]

Well a new firing pin has been fabricated heat treated and installed !

Now all thats left is to get the forend back , I sent that off to my stock guy to fix the tip were the ebony inlay is .

Once thats back I'll try some primed cases in the gun to make sure then pin is okay !

And then fabricate a forend flat spring .

[charlie cleveland]

bet she ll fire up a storm..i have a old 10 ga lc smith and its truly a great shooter.. charlie

[CraigThompson]

bet she ll fire up a storm..i have a old 10 ga lc smith and its truly a great shooter.. charlie

I think I'm in need of a Parker , LeFever , Remington and Colt in 10 gauge hammerless for comparison !

Already have the Scott , this Smith and a fluid steel Ithaca NID :)

I may give that Smith a try at 25 and 50 yards with #4 Magnum birdshot to see whats what . But I think I'll shoot at something larger then a drink can Charlie !

Keep your fingers crossed that the guy who brought this one in has a good shootable Parker hammerless 10 that I can pick up relatively cheap !

[charlie cleveland]

got them finger s crossed for you..thats a great idea get all the usa made shotguns old doubles in the 10 ga... charlie

[CraigThompson]

I pulled out my copy of "The Hunters Guide to Ballistics" by Wayne van Zwoll and reread the chapter on buckshot !

He claims in his testing ANY buckshot from 000 to #4 penetrated well enough to kill deer to 40 yards and if you keep 60% in the obligatory 30" circle at that distance you should be fine on broadsides . If quartering he claims #1 or larger is required .

I usually hold my shots with buckshot to 30 yards . So I am thinking with my somewhat less powerfull 10 gauge loads I should be fine in the Smith with #1 and #3 for deer based on his criteria .

I do have #4 buck on hand so when and if I have gotten deer with #1 and #3 I may very well try some #4 in my Ithaca NID Short 10 .

[charlie cleveland]

i would agree with wayne s findings on the buckshot.. buckshot is a very effective if ranges are kept with in reason.but i have known of deer being killed at far ranges with it..such as one i knowed of was killed at 105 steps one shot of 00 buck hit the deer in the burr of the ear not another hole in deer..other long shots i ve heard of but these are lucky shots...quarting away shots arenot good unless a person gets a very close shot... i hope you get a good one with the old 10 ga...we ll be waiting for the storey and pictures... charlie

[CraigThompson]

Last week or so a fellow on Gunbroker had some 0 Buck shot for sale in ten pound bags , it's gone now I kinda wish I had gotten ten pounds to try . Might just go to BPI and get some 0 , 1 and 3 buck . Seemed Hornady is just making 00 and 4 now .

[charlie cleveland]

for some reason in the old days seems like the factorys loaded the ten ga in mostly 0 buck or no 1 buck..of the buckshot shells in my collection in ten ga this is what i mostly have which is few...i ve loaded the 000 buck in the short ten it holds 8 of them it really patterns good at 40 yards...i ve shot several deer with no 4 buck in the 3 1/2 inch ten i believe there is 54 pellets in a shell...theres 27 no 4 buck in a 12 ga 2 3/4 inch loading so a short ten should be ok with 27 to 30 no 4 buck... i ve seen several boxes of ten ga 3 1/2 inch in 0 loadings by winchester and also no3 buck in the big ten...these boxes of buck was loaded around the late 30 s to late 50 s..as every body knows there not been any short ten buckshot loaded in years but they do load the 3 1/2 inch in 00 buck and no 4 buck and these are loaded by federal..i have not seen any winchester or remington loaded buckshot in a few years... charlie

[CraigThompson]

for some reason in the old days seems like the factorys loaded the ten ga in mostly 0 buck or no 1 buck..of the buckshot shells in my collection in ten ga this is what i mostly have which is few...i ve loaded the 000 buck in the short ten it holds 8 of them it really patterns good at 40 yards...i ve shot several deer with no 4 buck in the 3 1/2 inch ten i believe there is 54 pellets in a shell...theres 27 no 4 buck in a 12 ga 2 3/4 inch loading so a short ten should be ok with 27 to 30 no 4 buck... i ve seen several boxes of ten ga 3 1/2 inch in 0 loadings by winchester and also no3 buck in the big ten...these boxes of buck was loaded around the late 30 s to late 50 s..as every body knows there not been any short ten buckshot loaded in years but they do load the 3 1/2 inch in 00 buck and no 4 buck and these are loaded by federal..i have not seen any winchester or remington loaded buckshot in a few years... charlie

I have 3 or 4 boxes of WIN 3 1/2" 00 Buck at the shop someone brought in for me to sell .

I seem to remmember seeing Remington 2 7/8" birdshot shells still being made into the late 70's . Grandfather shot them in the W&C Scott 10 I have now . At the time that was his dove gun .

[CraigThompson]

I am hoping me forend will return for the LC this coming week !

After that I'll try the firing pin on some primed empty hulls . IF all goes well I think I'll shoot a couple more patterns with 00 , #1 and #4 Buck at 25 yards .

[charlie cleveland]

i bet they shoot mighty close at 25 yards... i dont know why but it always seem like the deer are just at the outer limits of my buckshot loads.. charlie

[CraigThompson]

i bet they shoot mighty close at 25 yards... i dont know why but it always seem like the deer are just at the outer limits of my buckshot loads.. charlie

Dunno I've shot quite a few 24 of 25 rounds at skeet using that old Scott shooting both 1 1/4 ounce handloads of #8's and a couple times with 70's Remington Shur Shot #4's factory loads .

[charlie cleveland]

thats some good shooting ther with that old ten... i ve never shot a round of skeet in my life thers no body around my parts that into shooting much...i ve shot my fair share of dr pepper cans though and paper targets...but i do believe i would enjoy skeet and trap shooting.... charlie

[CraigThompson]

thats some good shooting ther with that old ten... i ve never shot a round of skeet in my life thers no body around my parts that into shooting much...i ve shot my fair share of dr pepper cans though and paper targets...but i do believe i would enjoy skeet and trap shooting.... charlie

When I piggie hunted in southeast Arkansas in 2012 those guys in AR and the ones from Greenville MS all said the same thing , no skeet or trap clubs around there !

I suspect there are atleast some Sporting Clays Ranges close by that they're not aware of but I honestly don't know !

[CraigThompson]

We used to have what they call 50/50 shoots between the area gunclubs for fun in the winter time . They were two rounds of skeet and two rounds of trap most folks used two different guns . At that time I shot both competitively and used seperate barrels on my old Krieghoff K-32 .

If I were still going to those shoots now I would most likely carry that W&C especially if it were a SxS shoot or if you were only allowed a single gun for both !

We have awobble motor on one of the trap machines . It's kinda fun to shoot Jap Wobble Trap also !
For that one you use the wobble trap in the trap house and shoot from the skeet stations . The killer of the game is you cannot leave a station until you break a bird . So technically you could burn up your whole 25 shells on station one !

Best I've ever done at that was 19 stations before I was out of shells, so I missed 6 times in that round .

If you spend alot of time around gunclubs you eventually see the uhm "difference of opinion" between skeet guys and trap guys !

Kinda like duck hunters versus quail/grouse hunters .

I shot both shotgun games ALOT and always figured if I could see the target I could break the target . When we got to doing Jap Wobble Trap some of the skeet guys would get all pissy as well as some of the trap guys . It was always fun to go out and shoot with those guys and add a little wager into the equation . I typically shot a SxS or a field grade O/U and generally I took their money !

[CraigThompson]

I am planning on going to the range wednesday and if the forend comes back for my LC Smith 10 gauge I'll cart that one out to try the new firing pin and some more buckshot patterns at 25 yards . Have 3 loaded with 12 pellets of 00 Buck , 2 loaded with 16 pellets of #1 Buck and 2 loaded with 32 pellets of #4 Buck .

I also am going to take my Philly Fox Sterlingworth 12 guage and try some old Remington 2 3/4" Foster slugs at 25 and 50 yards .

[charlie cleveland]

sounds like you mean business with them buckshot loads...i think you will be impressed by the no 4 buck it usally patterns pretty tight with a gun with some choke... i ve not got to try the lc smith yet ive been trying to get some grass and bushes knocked down.. not to many of us into buckshot i wonder if bill ever tryed out that parker shotgun that was bored for buckshot..bill what kinda choke you reckon your guns got... charlie

[CraigThompson]

sounds like you mean business with them buckshot loads...i think you will be impressed by the no 4 buck it usally patterns pretty tight with a gun with some choke... i ve not got to try the lc smith yet ive been trying to get some grass and bushes knocked down.. not to many of us into buckshot .

I actually already tried the #4 Buck in the W&C Scott as well as my Ithaca NID . And they did well enough for 25-30 yards or so I thought .

I meant to get the bush hog on the back of my John Deere last month and like the last several years it's almost september before I get around to it !

I have maybe 2 miles of trails on my 67 acres to open before archery season . Thankfully I have the one hang on already up as well as two ladder stands so all I need to do is hang three climbers and I'm done !

I always keep an extra climber on my ATV in case I wanna try a new spot quickly . Also use that one on the Blackwater NWR in Maryland two times a year .

[CraigThompson]

I have a 25 pound bag of Remington 000 Buck my old deceased shooting buddy gave me about two years ago . Someone had given it to him to make birdshot out of and he thought that would be a waste and gave it to me . I am thinking 8 of those inside the Remington SP-10 wad might be alright !
Two per layer of four layers .

[charlie cleveland]

the triple 000 works good but i think it will only stack 3 to the layer.. as i was disking today i seen several deer beds they will have to sleep some where else tonight... i ve got to clean my trails out too i wanted to put up a coupla moreshooting houses but i m running out time and energy...i had a lot of things i was going to do this summer but summers about gone and a few of them things aint gonna get done... charlie

[CraigThompson]

the triple 000 works good but i think it will only stack 3 to the layer.. as i was disking today i seen several deer beds they will have to sleep some where else tonight... i ve got to clean my trails out too i wanted to put up a coupla moreshooting houses but i m running out time and energy...i had a lot of things i was going to do this summer but summers about gone and a few of them things aint gonna get done... charlie

Well I didn't get the forend back yesterday so the LC stayed home !

I did however shoot my relatively new to me Philly Sterlingworth 12 gauge with some older Remington 2 3/4" slug loads at 25 and 50 yards !

First shot from the right barrel at 25 yards drilled the silver dollar sized bullseye then the left barrel hit about 4 inches to the right of the first shot . Tried them at 50 yards after that and failed to hit the 9x11 inch piece of paper with either barrel .

So much for the slug idea in that old Sterlingworth !

[charlie cleveland]

i dont have a gun that will shoot a slug very good either.. my old 8 ga parker is not very accurate with a round ball load i do pretty good to 30ds but any farther its a gamble.. i ve got to get my work caught up and do a little target practice with the ole 8 i sure would like to take a deer with the pumpkin ball load.. i hope my old smith longe range shoots buckshot ok i will try it soon... charlie

[CraigThompson]

Got the forend back today !

My friend that does stockwork did an excellent job to my eye !

I though the new firing pin had been heat treated but that'll get done tommorrow . My gunsmith buddy said he'll do the firing pin while he's blueing tommorrow !

Perhaps I can get out early thursday morning and try the buckshot loads . Might load some 000 wednesday just in case !

[CraigThompson]

Loaded some 000 today .

Using my same old load of SR7625 with the SP-10 wad I'm able to put two 000 per layer and get 4 layers nested .

Hopefully this will look good at 25 yards . To be honest I don't think I've ever fired 000 Buck in anything before !

[charlie cleveland]

it will pattern great at that distance...i ve patterned my old ten parker with this load to 40 yards it would do a deer in.. charlie

[CraigThompson]

I put in for an area permit on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge a day or so ago . If we get drawn I'll take one of the 10 gauges loaded with buckshot and a rifle or my Savage 220 rifled bolt action with Remington AccuBond Sabots !

Hope we get drawn I haven't hunted there in three years I think . Main objective is Sika deer but they've relaxed the regs on whitetails as well !

[charlie cleveland]

hope you get drawn i would like to hear of a kill with the old ten...i hope to draw blood with the 8 ga parker pumpkin ball load too.. charlie

[CraigThompson]

hope you get drawn i would like to hear of a kill with the old ten...i hope to draw blood with the 8 ga parker pumpkin ball load too.. charlie

I already have permits for muzzle loading and the shotgun seasons on the Blackwater NWR for Sika and whitetails this season !

Been hunting the little Jap elk on Chincoteague since 1991 and on Marylands Eastern Shore and the Blackwater since 1996 .

A pair of 6 point Sika from MAryland and a pair from Chincoteague each year and I'd give up whitetails and black bear for the rest of my life !

[CraigThompson]

Just got back from the range !

Tried a 000 and #4 Buck at 25 yards !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/LCSmith10gauge000right_zps10d1056a.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/LCSmith10gauge000right_zps10d1056a.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/LCSmith10gauge000Left_zps5e4a97e9.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/LCSmith10gauge000Left_zps5e4a97e9.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/LCSmith10gauge4right_zpsb4836f36.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/LCSmith10gauge4right_zpsb4836f36.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/LCSmith10gauge4left_zps609137f6.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/LCSmith10gauge4left_zps609137f6.jpg.html)

Well as it looks #4 , #3 , #1 , 00 and 000 Buck all shoot well enough in this gun for what I'll do with it on deer !

Now all I need is to draw an area for Chincoteague NWR !

[CraigThompson]

BTW , here's a picture of the forend tip after the fill in fix whatever you wanna call it !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/LCSmith10forendtip001_zps0669d01d.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/LCSmith10forendtip001_zps0669d01d.jpg.html)

[Dennis V. Nix]

Craig,
Those patterns look pretty good to me. I am not much of a supporter of buckshot but I think at 25 yards those loads will do well. Will you do me a favor and look at the muzzle of your L. C. 10 gauge to see if there is a line similar to what is on a Parker to signify barrel length. My barrels measure 31 1/2 inches. I thought they had been cut until I checked the muzzles while cleaning and saw a distinct line across the rib. I think the barrels on mine are the original length but am still curious as from what I have read the barrels of these Syracuse guns were either 30 or 32 inches. Thanks.

Dennis

[CraigThompson]

Craig,
Those patterns look pretty good to me. I am not much of a supporter of buckshot but I think at 25 yards those loads will do well. Will you do me a favor and look at the muzzle of your L. C. 10 gauge to see if there is a line similar to what is on a Parker to signify barrel length. My barrels measure 31 1/2 inches. I thought they had been cut until I checked the muzzles while cleaning and saw a distinct line across the rib. I think the barrels on mine are the original length but am still curious as from what I have read the barrels of these Syracuse guns were either 30 or 32 inches. Thanks.

Dennis


My barrels are 30" .

Here are two pics of the end of the rib . It looks to me as if the end has the same border that goes along the side edges of the rib .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/barrels001_zps04b21990.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/barrels001_zps04b21990.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/barrels002_zps8c99bb0d.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/barrels002_zps8c99bb0d.jpg.html)

[charlie cleveland]

craig looks like your old 10 is ready for anything you pull a trigger on...on those small deer any of your buckshot loads are gonna be fine. when does the season open on these little jap deer... charlie

[CraigThompson]

craig looks like your old 10 is ready for anything you pull a trigger on...on those small deer any of your buckshot loads are gonna be fine. when does the season open on these little jap deer... charlie

Now Charlie you oughhta know "Jap Deer" ain't politically correct :rotf:

The season in Maryland is same as the whitetails . On Chincoteague the gun season starts the first or second week of december .

Hopefully we get drawn for Chincoteague we haven't hunted there in two or three years I think . Usually myself and another fellow go , but we may have a couple others talked into going . We can have five people in our area if we get drawn .

[CraigThompson]

craig looks like your old 10 is ready for anything you pull a trigger on...on those small deer any of your buckshot loads are gonna be fine. when does the season open on these little jap deer... charlie

Oh yeah 00 and 000 are the only ones technically "legal" on Chincoteague . But since all mine are reloads well you know :whistle:

[Dennis V. Nix]

Craig,

Thanks for the photos of your 10 gauge muzzle. Your barrels and mine do look alike so I am going to stop worrying about the barrels being cut.

Thanks again,

Dennis

[CraigThompson]

Craig,

Thanks for the photos of your 10 gauge muzzle. Your barrels and mine do look alike so I am going to stop worrying about the barrels being cut.

Thanks again,

Dennis



You are quite welcome !

[CraigThompson]

Charlie I "might" be heading to southeastern Arkansas in late january early february . And if I go this coming year I'll more then likely drive a seperate vehicle so might be able to stop by for a visit !

Only thing that'll stop me from heading that way is logistics or funds as I'm tentativly going to the Philippines february the 15th if nothing major goes wrong !

[charlie cleveland]

craig hope you get to come by..we ll dosome serios talking about old guns for sure..we mite get a short hunt in for squirl or deer or even shoot the famous dr pepper can... ya ll come.... charlie

[Craig Larter]

For you 10 gauge Elsie lovers. The top gun is my Grade 3 10 gauge very early Fulton with chain Damascus 30" bbls and the bottom gun is my Pigeon Grade 10 gauge with 30" Nitro barrels---one of 4 10's and the only one made with 30" bbls. They are the pride and joy of my Elsie collection.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t2/clarter/Twins_zps18be7c3f.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/clarter/media/Twins_zps18be7c3f.jpg.html)

[CraigThompson]

For you 10 gauge Elsie lovers. The top gun is my Grade 3 10 gauge very early Fulton with chain Damascus 30" bbls and the bottom gun is my Pigeon Grade 10 gauge with 30" Nitro barrels---one of 4 10's and the only one made with 30" bbls. They are the pride and joy of my Elsie collection.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t2/clarter/Twins_zps18be7c3f.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/clarter/media/Twins_zps18be7c3f.jpg.html)


By no means are my Smith's replacing my Parker's or english made guns . But since getting that old beat up Smith 10 I've found a whole new respect for the name :whistle:

And by the way your two look very nice !

[charlie cleveland]

i could not gey your pitures to come thru my old computer..would love to see them old ten s... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

lovely old guns..that piegon grade is something else the no 3 is just as nice but i love the way that smith put the piegons on these guns... if i had 2 guns in a collection as nice as these they would be my pride and joy too... charlie

[CraigThompson]

ot out to the range this morning about 7:30 and of course I took along my old LC Smith 10 .

I was going to try my buckshot loads at 50 yards . Well I did take one shot with the 000 Buck and put 3 pellets on the paper but low . I suppose I shoulda aimed high !

Anyway after that I tried a load in each barrel with 000 , 00 , 1 , 3 and 4 Buck . Amazingly they all still shoot pretty darned good at 25 yards !

[CraigThompson]

Went to the range yesterday morning and shot some more patterns in the LC Smith 10 gauge with handloaded buckshot at 25 yards !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns009_zpsf3e0e2bf.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns009_zpsf3e0e2bf.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns008_zps2396a58a.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns008_zps2396a58a.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns006_zpsd4bfdaf8.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns006_zpsd4bfdaf8.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns007_zps794f8569.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns007_zps794f8569.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns005_zps85628ebc.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns005_zps85628ebc.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns004_zpsee44b2d3.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns004_zpsee44b2d3.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns002_zpsa125ca6b.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns002_zpsa125ca6b.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns003_zpse9afd0af.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns003_zpse9afd0af.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns001_zps8b3dfcda.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/8-28-13Patterns001_zps8b3dfcda.jpg.html)

[charlie cleveland]

craig that old gun is really puttin them buckshot in there..aint no deer going to get away with that many holes in him... what kinda load are you useing in the ten with each type of buckshot... charlie

[CraigThompson]

craig that old gun is really puttin them buckshot in there..aint no deer going to get away with that many holes in him... what kinda load are you useing in the ten with each type of buckshot... charlie

I use my same old charge of SR7625 30 grains and whatever shot I use is inside a Remington SP-10 wad with NO buffer whatsoever . Lets see I load 8 of the 000 , 12 of the 00 , 16 of #1 , 28 of #3 and 32 of #4 .

I gotta say I've never owned a gun that seemed to be at ease with so many different sizes of buckshot . Grnated I never was much of a buckshot person . And truely I'm still not but I truely enjoy killing deer with these old guns . And quite possibly some other game animals (well atleast with grandads old W&C 10 gauge) .

I would still like to do the round ball thing inside the SP-10 wad in this LC since it's modified in both barrels . My old W&C is way way way to tight to even think I could get a ball that was safe to shoot near decent at 25 yards .Not as sure about the NID but if I get a mold for the LC I'll most likely give it a try in the NID as well !

Might just load up 40-50 loads of 1 1/4 ounce of #8's for the dove opener monday !

Either load a bunch of those or some for my Browning 20 gauge Superpose .

[CraigThompson]

I think I need to get on the horn to BPI and get 8 pounds of 0 buck and 8 pounds of #3 Buck .

Haven't tried #0 yet and am about out of #3 .

[charlie cleveland]

i ve got to order me a little of everthing too i m aboutout...may have to start shooting rocks if lead get any higher or cross over and get me a cross bow..im like you craig i like to hunt deer with these old guns..my plans are to tote the 8 ga parker till i get a deer with it..i ve got to make some more round balls for it before long...i guess i kinda cheated on my dove shells i went to walmart... charlie

[CraigThompson]

i ve got to order me a little of everthing too i m aboutout...may have to start shooting rocks if lead get any higher or cross over and get me a cross bow..im like you craig i like to hunt deer with these old guns..my plans are to tote the 8 ga parker till i get a deer with it..i ve got to make some more round balls for it before long...i guess i kinda cheated on my dove shells i went to walmart... charlie

Turns out I had three boxes of 16 gauge reloads with an ounce of #8's hidden on the back of a shelf !

Also have 5 or 6 boxes of Remington and Winchester 1 1/8 ounce #5's I can take as back up !

So looks like if I go monday I'll carry my little AH Fox A grade 16 !hru

[CraigThompson]

Loaded up 10 rounds with 000 and 10 rounds with #1 buck tonight .

I also moved a stand today on one of our Damage Control Farms . Moved it back into a rather thick funnal the deer use .

If I get my 15 birds quick monday or if they don't fly well I shud be able to get to this stand PDQ and perhaps i can plow a deer with the old LC Smith !

I'm halfway thinking about loading #1 in the right barrel and 000 in the left barrel therefore if a doe or two come by at the same time I can plow one "hopefully" with the #1 load and then hammer one with 000 :cool:

[Dennis V. Nix]

Craig, good luck with both the doves and the deer. We will be waiting to see photos of your success.

Dennis

[CraigThompson]

Craig, good luck with both the doves and the deer. We will be waiting to see photos of your success.

Dennis

Well the dove today was a bust for me , never had a bird fly by within range so I bailed at 16:00 went home showered and was sitting in my tree stand by 17:00 and I am still sitting here . Not seen a deer yet either .

[charlie cleveland]

hope you get that deer with the buck shot..i believe i would load it just like you said..that triple 000 should ground check any thing that comes by..good luck charlie

[Dennis V. Nix]

Craig, we don't want you to milk the season with the buckshot like Charlie did last year with his 8 bore. We can't stand that much suspense anymore. I know you will get your deer just as I know Charlie will get his deer this year with a slug from the 8 bore. Good luck to both of you. Actually- Good luck to all of us this year for a safe and successful hunting season.

Dennis

[CraigThompson]

Well the dove shoot didn't pan out today but the deer on the DCP did !

Some pics from early while I was about 22-24 feet up my tree !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13001_zps324c20fb.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13001_zps324c20fb.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13002_zps4b4fc4d4.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13002_zps4b4fc4d4.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13004_zpsb80aa7a2.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13004_zpsb80aa7a2.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13003_zpsdf7e9af6.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13003_zpsdf7e9af6.jpg.html)

Had one of my 444's along just in case I saw one past 40 yards . This is a circa 1967 rifle I relbued and refinished the wood as it was about 3% blueing when I bought it . Shooting the Lyman 429244 HP with a goodly charge of H322 .


http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13005_zps74684b3c.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13005_zps74684b3c.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D6_zps29d1b226.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D6_zps29d1b226.png.html)

My Thermacell , until November I'm never without it !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D5_zps1c006849.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D5_zps1c006849.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D2_zps73d62452.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D2_zps73d62452.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D1_zps4c0d5efe.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D1_zps4c0d5efe.png.html)

[CraigThompson]

Well long about 19:30 I looked directly below me and there was a doe about 4 yards from the base of the tree I was in !

Here's one from my seat using the I Phone !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D7_zps87f41a74.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D7_zps87f41a74.png.html)

And another from the same place with the zoom on my Nikon CoolPix !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13007_zpsdf60fb1b.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13007_zpsdf60fb1b.jpg.html)

And some pics when I got down !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13008_zpsfcc5c200.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13008_zpsfcc5c200.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13010_zpsba636fad.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13010_zpsba636fad.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D8_zpsd458f126.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D8_zpsd458f126.png.html)

I shot the right barrel which had my handloaded #1 Buck with 16 pelletes . I aimed right at the whithers of the deer as she was to close to go in from the side . Anyway it looked like 10 or so went in right where I aimed . When I skinned the deer about 2 inches of the backbone was gone there . I also found a pellet in the elbow of one of the front legs .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D10_zpsd40d5faa.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/D10_zpsd40d5faa.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13011_zps231ae66f.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-2-13%20LC%20Smith%2010%20gauge/9-2-13011_zps231ae66f.jpg.html)

Well I realize 4 yards really isn't a fair test . But next time I'll go with #3 Buck in the right barrel and 000 Buck in the left barrel !

[CraigThompson]

Craig, we don't want you to milk the season with the buckshot like Charlie did last year with his 8 bore. We can't stand that much suspense anymore. I know you will get your deer just as I know Charlie will get his deer this year with a slug from the 8 bore. Good luck to both of you. Actually- Good luck to all of us this year for a safe and successful hunting season.

Dennis


Dennis you need not worry about me milking it !

Last year I got four deer and that was my worst year in the last twenty seasons . Generally I kill between 10 and 15 . So right now I'm at 4 with still a month of DCP and then hunting season starts . Hopefully I can use a couple more sizes of Buck in either this LC or my Ithaca NID 10 . Also have a few Ruger #1's I wanna blood this year 338 WIN MAG , 375 WIN MAG , 416 REM MAG , 25-06 , 270 , 280 , 6mm , 257 Bob , my wifes Ranger Arms LH 25-06 and a Mannlicher Schoenauer 243 .To say nothing of the Philly 12 gauge Sterlingworth and the Philly 20 gauge Sterlingworth . Oh and I almost forgot the 16's Parker GH damascus and a AH Fox A .

Then of course there are a couple 444's I've yet to blood . As well as about 5 390 grain plus cast bullets I wanna field test in my 2001 Marlin 444 Ballard rifled gun .

IT's a never ending thing :rotf:

[CraigThompson]

FWIW , out of the almost 250 deer I've taken in my life thats only the second I've gotten with buckshot !

Don't think I've fired at no more then 3 with buckshot either .

Got this one and the one I popped with Granddad's old W&C 10 gauge a couple years back .

Everything was the same as far as the loads concerned EXCEPT I used 12 pellets of 00 Buck on the deer I killed with the W&C Scott 10 !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/12-18-10eveninghunt002.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/10%20gauge%20shotguns/12-18-10eveninghunt002.jpg.html)

The one I missed was at Chincoteague NWR and it was a Sika hind . Jumped her at about 15 feet . I was using a nice old Winchester Model 12 12 gauge with Hevi Shot buckshot factory loads 00 Buck . Anyway I am more used to 1100's and 870's so I was looking for the safety in exactly the opposite place from where it was !

By the time I got the safety off the Sika deer was 40-50 yards away and I am about 99,9% sure I did not cut a hair !

[CraigThompson]

I need to find a listing for W&C Scott serial numbers . I realize my W&C 10 is pre 1897 but I'm not sure what year . Either the LC or the W&C is the oldest gun I've killed a deer with . Killed a couple with old Marlin 1895's that were made in 1896 and 1897 . So now I'd be interested to know which if these old shotguns is the oldest !

[wayne goerres]

I don't know when my WC Scot 10ga was made either. Cant find any info on serial No.

[CraigThompson]

I don't know when my WC Scot 10ga was made either. Cant find any info on serial No.

Try this link ,

http://doublegunshop.com/dgsnos5.htm

I googled it and came up with that connection .

And after looking at that table I am thinking my W&C 10 gauge will fall in the mid to late 1880's although my memory of the number could be off a bit .

[Dennis V. Nix]

Craig, that is one nice looking deer. Congratulations on a fine kill.

Dennis

[CraigThompson]

Craig, that is one nice looking deer. Congratulations on a fine kill.

Dennis

Thank you sir !

I had it cut up and in the freezer about 45 minutes after I took the pics !

[CraigThompson]

Well the seriel number on my W&C 10 is 30,9xx so that puts it at 1881 or 1882 . So thats easily the oldest gun I've killed a deer with !

[CraigThompson]

And the seriel number on my Ithaca NID 10 is 434xxx which dates it at 1926 !

I have some #3 Buck loaded up for the right barrel in the Ithaca as well as the previousely mentioned 000 .

Ran across about 7 rounds of old 50's Winchester paper 10 gauge 2 7/8" 0 Buck that my grandfather had . If I can get to it this year I'll try and pop a deer with them in my W&C .

[CraigThompson]

Here's a picture of one of the short 10 single 0 Buck loads . I had forgotten I took them with me for the last day of the 2012 Virginia Deer Season !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/2012%20Last%20Day%20Deer%20Season/LastDaydeerseason1-5-13009.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/2012%20Last%20Day%20Deer%20Season/LastDaydeerseason1-5-13009.jpg.html)

[charlie cleveland]

great looking old shell i truly hope you get a deer with this round..i also hunt with a few old loads seem to take me back in time... charlie

[Daryl Corona]

Craig;
Congrats on the doe. Do those thermacells work as good as everyone says they do? I hunt in Rock Hall here in MD. and we are surrounded by water and the skeeters have been dreadful this year. Might have to invest in one of them if they are worth it. I'll hunt near Blackwater NWR in december and even then the skeeters can be a problem.

[CraigThompson]

Craig;
Congrats on the doe. Do those thermacells work as good as everyone says they do? I hunt in Rock Hall here in MD. and we are surrounded by water and the skeeters have been dreadful this year. Might have to invest in one of them if they are worth it. I'll hunt near Blackwater NWR in december and even then the skeeters can be a problem.

Yes sir I bought that thing specifically to use on the Blackwater !

And it works great as long as the winds not blowing hard .

I used to smear 90% Deet bug spray all over my hands and face . And I honestly think those little bastards in the marsh around Blackwater looked as the bug spray the way you or I would look at ketchup on a hamburger .

Since getting that Thermacell back around 2005 I think . I've had little problems with the flying buzzing critters of the Blackwater .

They aren't overly expensive I think you can get the unit and the little holster thing for about $30-35 .

I will not hunt the early muzzleloading season in Dorchester County without it . Very rarely need it for the gun opener but I usually take it along just incase it's unseasonably warm !

[CraigThompson]

Daryl depending on what area I draw for the gun hunt on Blackwater I may very well take my little Savage 20 gauge rifled bolt action and this LC Smith loaded with 000 !

Actually the last time I carted two shotguns to my tree on the Blackwater I killed a 6 pointer . Hmmmm I wonder !

[John Dallas]

Daryl - Back in the late 50's we used to take our summer boat trip to Rock Hall. Stayed at a marina owned by Les Mayne (Main?) Very nice. I've done some duck shooting at Elliott's Island. A special part of the world. We use 4" gill netting for the mosquitoes

[Daryl Corona]

John;
Rock Hall has changed a little since the late fifties but still a great place to hunt. Our farm is right next to, what was once known as, Remington Farms. It still serves the same functions as it always has, a fancy corporate hunting farm. It's now called Chesapeake Farms and it holds a lot of waterfowl, turkey and skads of whitetails. We benefit from all their management. Our esteemed member, Dave Purnell, now lives on Elliott's Island and is happy as a clam. I'm sure he can tell you stories about those Eastern Shore skeeters. He's probably got names for them all.:)

[John Dallas]

I had the chance to hunt Remington Farms several times in the 60's, when my Dad was a director at Remington. Hunting geese over "The Feathers" (stuffed taxidermy geese) was a real kick

[Daryl Corona]

Funny you should bring up "stuffers" as we call them around here. I have 2 dozen which I use on those bluebird days when the decoying is tough. Add a flag to the setup and the odds tilt in your favor a bit. I'd be willing to bet your dad and I probably had some friends in common. Small world, is'nt it?

[CraigThompson]

Well this evening I went back to the same place I was at Labor Day monday evening !

I was just about ready to start getting down and a deer walked out beneath me and I dusted it with my old Parker GH 16 gauge damascus gun shooting my handloaded shells with 10 of the #1 Buck pellets , Remington SP-16 wad and 21 grains of Unique . At the boom of the gun the deer folded up as I aimed at the base of the head and since it was less then 10 yards from the base of the tree well you get the picture . When I fired I heard another one behind me walking around so I laid the Parker down and picked up my circa 2001 Marlin 444 loaded with the Mountain Molds Mt Sourdough 433-425GC bullet I had cast and pushed with 37 grains of RL-7 . Another one stepped out above me by about 15 yards and I drilled her behind the shoulder . She went 10 yards and fell back in a small ravine !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-5-13/10_zpsb315c3de.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-5-13/10_zpsb315c3de.png.html)



The Parker GH 16 gauge damascus gun ,

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-5-13/9-5-13001_zps34d8343a.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-5-13/9-5-13001_zps34d8343a.jpg.html)



The Parker and my 2001 Marlin 444 .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-5-13/9-5-13002_zps1f0b227b.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-5-13/9-5-13002_zps1f0b227b.jpg.html)



By the time I got down the tree it was pretty dark and my pics ain't so great .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-5-13/9-5-13003_zps250c204a.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-5-13/9-5-13003_zps250c204a.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-5-13/14_zpsa89c8714.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-5-13/14_zpsa89c8714.png.html)



Next trip back in here I'll take my Ithaca NID 10 gauge #3 Buck in the right barrel and 000 buck in the left barrel .

[CraigThompson]

Well I wanna do some load work with a pair of Parker VH and VHE 12 gauge guns I've had a good while . Also the Philly Sterlingworth 12 and 20 as well as another Utica Sterlingworth 12 we've had a good long while !

So I have some more #3 Buck coming , as well as a bag of Remington SP-12 wads and a bag of Remington SP-20 wads .

Also saw some recovered 0 Buck for sale I might scarf up . Seems this was all taken from old factory loads for some reason or another .

Have several other 16's I wanna try as well in doubles and drillings but most certainly will not get them all taken care of this year .

At some point I have W&C Scott hammerless sidelock guns in 12 and 20 both 2 1/2" I might try and get a deer with but only time and ease of loading will tell !

Christ I do not know whether I'm getting old just forgetfull or both !

I completley forgot about a pair of LC Smith 12's I have . Probably because they haven't been out of the safe other then for cleaning and oiling in about the last 10 years . Ones an Ideal grade and the others an older Field I thought but it may be the same era as my 10 anyway it was sent to Westley Richards to be sleaved so it's fluid steel .

[CraigThompson]

I had the chance to hunt Remington Farms several times in the 60's, when my Dad was a director at Remington. Hunting geese over "The Feathers" (stuffed taxidermy geese) was a real kick

Did they have the mirror blinds when you were there ?

Or was that John Olin's Nilo Farms that had the mirror blinds back in the 60's and 70's ?

[John Dallas]

Didn't see mirror blinds at Remington. Had a chance to shoot at Nilo in the mid 70's. The duck shooting was really lame. They had trained a bunch of mallards to fly from their pen to the water. You stood with your back to the water, and it didn't matter what you did, or what you were wearing, those birds were making a bee line to the water (and corn) Not very elegant.

[CraigThompson]

Well we went out monday the 9th on the big piece we have for deer Damage Control and I tried a completely different area !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-9-13/9_zpsc8434f3d.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-9-13/9_zpsc8434f3d.png.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-9-13/11_zps3c5bbdae.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-9-13/11_zps3c5bbdae.png.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-9-13/10_zpsfb3143ad.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-9-13/10_zpsfb3143ad.png.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-9-13/9-9008_zps49cdceac.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-9-13/9-9008_zps49cdceac.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-9-13/9-9007_zps433585a1.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-9-13/9-9007_zps433585a1.jpg.html)



Took my 1920's Ithaca NID 10 gauge 2 7/8" fluid steel barreled gun .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-9-13/9-9001_zps35bbf26b.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-9-13/9-9001_zps35bbf26b.jpg.html)



Also took my wife's Ranger Arms LH 25-06 .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-9-13/9-9004_zps7f2aa48b.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-9-13/9-9004_zps7f2aa48b.jpg.html)

[CraigThompson]

Went DC hunting again this evening and went back in the woods to the same place I was at Labor Day evening !

Took my Ithaca NID 10 gauge loaded with #3 Buck in the right barrel and 000 Buck in the left barrel . Also hauled along my Ruger #1H 416 Rem Mag . But sorry to say nothing spotted !



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-10-13/9-10006_zps6fc62064.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-10-13/9-10006_zps6fc62064.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-10-13/9-10007_zpsb4c50898.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-10-13/9-10007_zpsb4c50898.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-10-13/9-10004_zps02a79eba.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-10-13/9-10004_zps02a79eba.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-10-13/9-10003_zps9b420ce6.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-10-13/9-10003_zps9b420ce6.jpg.html)



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[Mills Morrison]

Great photos! Craig, you need to join PGCA

[charlie cleveland]

craig that sure looked like a great spot you were hunting over..i really like that old ithaca 10 ga looks to be in really nice shape...i bet that 416 rigby is a handfull...reall nice pictures keepem coming...charlie

[CraigThompson]

craig that sure looked like a great spot you were hunting over..i really like that old ithaca 10 ga looks to be in really nice shape...i bet that 416 rigby is a handfull...reall nice pictures keepem coming...charlie

416 Remington Magnum I opted for that chambering as they made fewer if them and brass was cheaper to get plus it's easy enough to make it from 375 H&H brass and I just happen to have one of them as well ! Gonna go over a cut cornfield today so I think I'll take the wife's LH 25-06 again it has a nice old Redfield 6-18 on top and shooting Nosler 100 grain BT hand loads . Incidently I got my Kerner drilling out last night I might try that one back in the thick spot next time !

[CraigThompson]

We got that old Ithaca almost 35 years ago . It was a now deceased farmers tractor gun and was worn all over . He even had a leather pad on the comb . We sent it to a now deceased gunsmith by the name if Wes Peterson . He rust blued the barrels very nicely and redid the wood as well as put on a then new Pachmayer white line pad . We never fired that gun until about 1-2 years ago . It should do okay for a deer or two I think and maybe some late season dove !

[CraigThompson]

Went out this evening to yet another new spot on the 1300 acre farm . I was back in the woods on a starting to be cut cornfield !

Took along my wife's Ranger Arms LH 25-06 bolt gun loaded with the Nosler 100 BT and a charge of RL-22 .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-11-13/911004_zps01ed35b8.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-11-13/911004_zps01ed35b8.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-11-13/911005_zps065b80ac.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-11-13/911005_zps065b80ac.jpg.html)



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[CraigThompson]

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-11-13/16_zps9c2e5463.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-11-13/16_zps9c2e5463.png.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-11-13/911006_zps33c62845.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-11-13/911006_zps33c62845.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-11-13/911008_zps72b3ba9d.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-11-13/911008_zps72b3ba9d.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-11-13/911009_zps8f65b39a.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-11-13/911009_zps8f65b39a.jpg.html)



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-11-13/911010_zpsa1e0d602.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-11-13/911010_zpsa1e0d602.jpg.html)



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[CraigThompson]

Doe and two fawms came up behind me at about 19:00 and I shot her at 25 yards . At the crack of the gun she hauled frieght out into the field and fell over !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-11-13/911013_zpsaa39019d.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-11-13/911013_zpsaa39019d.jpg.html)



She ran maybe 30 yards out into the field before she fell over !



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-11-13/911012_zps7dc30bd9.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-11-13/911012_zps7dc30bd9.jpg.html)



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And the jacket I recovered from the Nosler 100 grain Ballistic Tip on the off side just under the hide !



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-11-13/25_zps5c65a097.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-11-13/25_zps5c65a097.png.html)



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Think i'll carry my 338 Win Mag next time and a drilling !

[CraigThompson]

Well that 25-06 oughtta be a good setup for my wife once she's here !

The 100 grain bullet has virtually no recoil from the bench and certainly not when hunting .

I bought it just because I liked the fiddle back in the maple stock . Plus it came with a nice old Redfield 3-9 from the same time period as the 6-18 thats on it now . The rifle was made between 68-74 I believe . The company was not in buisness very long . Their trigger is not as good as a 700 as I can't get it below about 3 1/2 pounds but it is creep free and rather crisp when it breaks . So it should be plenty safe for my wife .

I'm going back to the Philippines February 15th provided the shyte doesn't hit the fan anywhere as I'm going thru Dubai again . Anyway when I go over this time I plan to get some 22 ammo once I'm over there and take her to her brothers house and give her some instruction shooting his old Remington 512 I think it is !

Thats my BIL's preferred pigeon gun :whistle:

I went wild pigeon hunting with him and his buddy in June of 2009 . We went out in what looked like jungle and shot them out of the tree's with 22 Shorts and Air Pellet rifles . I thought we would hunt from the beach or something and went in shorts and sandles MISTAKE !

[CraigThompson]

Well after the dove shoot today I went over to my buddys house , cleaned the birds , took a quick shower and then returned to the same farm to try and get a deer or two for the Damage Control Permits !

My buddy smoked a doe around 18:30 with his CZ550 in 375 H&H MAG . He sent me a text message and I told him lets sit it out until dark .

Since I was back in the woods over looking a cornfield I came down a hair before he would come out . And as I walked up the fence inside the woods I saw a doe out in the cornfield I hadn't seen earlier . I had taken along my Ruger #1B 338 WIN MAG and was shooting handloaded Hornady 225SST bullets . I also had along my Ithaca NID 10 gauge loaded with handloaded #3 buck in the right barrel and handloaded 000 buck in the left barrel .

The doe was about 40 yards from the fence so I poked the 338 through the woven wire fence , the deer was facing away from me at a very slight quartering angle . So I aimed on the front edge on the hindquarter and let fly . And at the boom of the gun the deer carried freight !

I was confident I hit it , but the way she ran gave me doubts . So I leaned the rifle and my pack against the fence and eased out into the field with the 10 gauge . There was a strip of semi tall grass going up thru the middle of the uncut part and I saw her go up thru there . I rounded the corner went in about 10-15 yards and she jumped up so I leveled the 10 and let fly with a load of #3 buck at about 35 yards . This time at the boom of the gun she folded . The first shot had gone in behind the diaphragm ranged forward and got the offside lung .



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-14-13/deer2_zps81b735c1.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-14-13/deer2_zps81b735c1.png.html)



Found a couple of the #3 Buckshot while skinning the deer !



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/DCP%209-14-13/3Buck_zpsa9200d1b.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/DCP%209-14-13/3Buck_zpsa9200d1b.png.html)

[charlie cleveland]

craig that sure was a good hunt good thing you carried that old ten with buckshot its hard to hit a jumped deer with a rifle at close range especially with a scope on it..those are really good pictures of your stand and the area your hunting.. i enjoy your hunts... charlie

[CraigThompson]

craig that sure was a good hunt good thing you carried that old ten with buckshot its hard to hit a jumped deer with a rifle at close range especially with a scope on it..those are really good pictures of your stand and the area your hunting.. i enjoy your hunts... charlie

This guy has over 1,200 acres !

We've yet to scratch the surface LOL's !

DCP season is over the end of this month however . I hope to get 5 more on his place before the end of the month .

If no rain we're going tomorrow afternoon and I'll take my Ruger #1H in 375 H&H MAG with handloads using the no longer made Nosler 260 grain Ballistic Tip and of course I'll haul along my Ithaca NID 10 gauge !

[CraigThompson]

Got deer #'s 11 and 12 this evening . Shot them both with my Ruger #1H in 375 H&H MAG shooting the no longer made Nosler 260 grain Ballistic Tip pushed with 74 grains of RL-15 . Have a 60's era Weaver V7 on top !

Shot the first one at 12 yards and she dropped like a sack of potatoes , I shot the second one at 29 yards and she flopped maybe 5 yards after the shot .

Saturday I think I'll take my Ruger #1B in 270 WIN shooting handloaded 130 grain Nosler BT's and Combined Technology 130's they both have the same powder charge and hit the same POI at 100 yards .

And of course I'll drag along my Ithaca NID 10 gauge just n case !
Sorry but I actually forgot to take pics this evening . I was by myself and was more intrested in geting them home skinned cut up and in the freezer !

[charlie cleveland]

thats what you call a good evening of hunting.. charlie

[CraigThompson]

Well saturday was a "Rain Out" !

Looks like monday will be a 270 WIN day and either my Ithaca 10 gauge with buck or the Kerner 16-16-7x57R drilling loaded with buck and ball .



Oh yeah pictures are not an option for awhile as Photobucket says me account is filled . Starge they told me I was 90% full a week ago and I've deleted 300 pictures from my account and they now say my bandwidth is 100% full . Seems deleting almost half increased the total as I've not added anything since I recieved their email !

[charlie cleveland]

i like the idea of the 16 ga with buck and ball..your a hunting man of my type i really like useing differant gun on game..good luck... charlie

[CraigThompson]

i like the idea of the 16 ga with buck and ball..your a hunting man of my type i really like useing differant gun on game..good luck... charlie

We have 6 days next week and the following monday on the DCP places so I gotta make the best of the time remaining !

Oh yeah then we start regular hunting seasons bow then ML and then guns !

It's a viciouse never ending cycle LOL's !

[charlie cleveland]

i know what you mean glad to season open up and glad when it closes... charlie

[CraigThompson]

i know what you mean glad to season open up and glad when it closes... charlie

For the last 5 years I've had more months to hunt ina calender year then I have that are hunting free !

And thats just for large game species (IE deer , bear , piggies).

Actually if I pursued piggies here in Virginia I could hunt them ALL YEAR in the county adjacent to mine !

By the time I get everything recleaned and put away after hunting season it's about time to get the unblooded ones back out and check the sight in's for the next DCP season !

My best year to date was 20 deer about 8 years ago . I'd like to hit 21 this year for a new personal record as I don't think I have to many more years I'm going to be willing to go at it that hard !

[charlie cleveland]

i think you got it in you to go for the 21 deer...charlie

[CraigThompson]

i think you got it in you to go for the 21 deer...charlie

Dunno but I got 3 this evening with my Ruger #1B in 270 WIN . Shot one with the Combined Technology 130 Ballistic Silvertip and 55 grains IMR4350 , and then shot the last two with the same rifle and the Nosler 130 BT and again 55 grains of IMR4350 !


If I'm not mistaken 15 puts me at present in a tie for my 3rd best season . My best was 20 and second best was 17 . Since actual hunting season hasn't opened yet I think I'm in good shape !

Got my muzlleloader and shotgun permits for the Blackwater NWR and an invite from a friend at Allens Fresh (Charles County) Maryland for the antlerless early muzzle loader season .

Also a fellow I've been selling some stuff for asked me again today if I was still planning to come up to his place to get a bear and of course me not wanting to hurt his feelings said SURE !

So if I can keep up the pace I'm sure my harvest will increase . But if it doesn't I've already had a very very good year !

[charlie cleveland]

i m still bettin on the 21... charlie

[CraigThompson]

Have my fathers Ruger #1B 243 WIN with a Leupold Vari XIII 3.5-10AO out to take this evening . Am also debating in my head whether to carry along my ithaca NID 10 gauge , the Kerner drilling or a Franz Kettner 16 gauge side by .The Ithaca's downstairs in the case with a stock boot and sheels on it so more then likely that'll go with me !

The place I'm going this evening will probably be to long for a good buckshot shot but I'll carry one anyway !

I got 10 pounds of single 0 Buck yesterday , so hopefully this weekend I can get maybe 2 dozen shells loaded with it and can pattern all my classic 12 gauge guns . Well atleast a pair of Parker V grades , pair of LC's and a pair of Sterlingworths !

[CraigThompson]

What the heck might have to pattern my old Greener and the Westley Richards !

Be kinda neat to kill a deer with handloaded buckshot outta either of those two . As all they've ever been fired at since I owned them were dove , quail , grouse or clay targets !

Have an old 60's Superposed long tang flat knob 12 skeet gun I might try the buck in also !

[CraigThompson]

Well Charlie I got number 16 this evening at about 19:00 . Shot her with the Ruger #1B 243 I gave my dad for Xmas about 5 or 6 years ago !

First time I ever took it out !!!!!

Was shooting the Nosler 95 grain Ballistic Tip pushed with 42,5 grains of IMR4350 !

I am not a big advocate of a 243 or 6mm for deer and had not shot one with either cartridge in quite awhile . But I gotta say that bullet knocked the fire out of the doe I shot !

She was a lasered 56 yards and I popped her thru the two front shoulders and she bumbled maybe 30 yards forward .

Next trip is going to be a 1B I have in 6mm REM loaded with Hornady 95 grain SST's !

[charlie cleveland]

well we got 5 more to go now you got me counting each deer...the 243 is one gun i ve never owned or shotquite a few people hunt with them around were i live.. i like the looks of the old 6mmswedish round the bullet looked like it was as long as the case..had a friend that dropped a lot of deer with a 6mm rem. mag.. i m looking for no 17 now.... charlie

[CraigThompson]

My little Border Terrier Keelie had to be put to sleep today . She was 15 years and two months a couple days ago !

She was fine up until friday afternoon and then she couldn't keep anything down . We took her to the Vet saturday morning and they said she had an infection of some type so we then took her to the pet hospital in Charlottesville and they did tests etc . We were informed she had cancer in her liver and it was nothing they could do . So we went up this morning to see her one last time , they put her to sleep and we brought her home .

[Rick Losey]

Craig; truly sorry to hear that.

[Frank Cronin]

So sorry for your loss Craig.

[Dennis V. Nix]

Craig, I am truly sorry for your loss. These animals may be pets but they are more than that. They are loved family members.

Dennis

[CraigThompson]

Craig, I am truly sorry for your loss. These animals may be pets but they are more than that. They are loved family members.

Dennis


Thanks to all !

And yes sir they are truely part of the family !

I've had Border Terriers since 1962 !

And it looks as if I may very well be taking a trip a little south of Nashville to get another before the end of the year .

I kept English Setters also for awhile for grouse , But all my bird dogs were kennel dogs . Now granted I thought alot of all of them , the Borders were ALL house dogs so as one would expect when the time comes it's a whole lot rougher .

[Daryl Corona]

Craig:
Truly sorry to hear of her passing. I'd love to get 15yrs. out of my dogs. Show us the new pup when it arrives.

[charlie cleveland]

i know how you feel craig..i m sorry but also remember the good times... charlie

[Mills Morrison]

Sorry to hear about your dog. The hardest part of having a dog is saying goodbye

[CraigThompson]

Sorry to hear about your dog. The hardest part of having a dog is saying goodbye

I grew up with Border Terriers !

I thought of them more as little people :crying:

Reckon I'll head down to the funeral home and get her ashes tommorrow . We have two others buried outside . My father's will states he wants the remains cremated and have their ashes put with his before I bury him .I suppose in the next couple weeks if it cools off I'll dig up the other two and have them cremated .

He's kinda sitting the fence about getting another right now . He's about to turn 78 and has Parkinson's so he's worried about getting a puppy house broke . I keep telling him he'll go bonkers at home alone all day (my mothers been gone now for 4 years). I also truely believe an older person with nothing to keep them occupied will go back quicker then one that has something to take their mind off problems etc .

[CraigThompson]

Craig:
Truly sorry to hear of her passing. I'd love to get 15yrs. out of my dogs. Show us the new pup when it arrives.

Marion DuPont Scott gave me my first one for my first birthday in 1962 she lasted about 17 years . We took awhile to find a second one and I think we got her about 1980-1981 she made it 16 or 17 years and passed in 1998 . We got the one we just had to put to sleep in Spetember of 1998 and she made it 15 years plus .

The first passed from old age , the second had a large tumor in her stomach and this last one had liver cancer !

My bird dogs usually all died of old age and most made it 13-15 years . All were English Setters except one GD hard headed AKC English Pointer he had an annurism and I found him in his kennel one day in a pool of blood .

[charlie cleveland]

craig i agree do your fathers wishes and hurry up and get that new pup for your dad and you of course... i too over the years have been attached to some great dogs from coon hounds to just plain loveable dogs and some hard headed bird dogs..but the only little dog thats ever gave me its heart and soul is a little jack russel that belongs to my granddaughter....the little dogs name is daisey.... have a good one... charlie

[John Dallas]

My new Lab pup, "Daisy" (now about 18 months old), will get her baptism by fire in about 2 weeks. She has been invited to be a picker upper at a 1,000 (yes, one thousand) bird tower shoot outside of Detroit. It's sure nice to be able to train your dog on someone else's birds.

[CraigThompson]

Alright DCP season is over for another year !

I was lucky enough to get 16 my friend got 6 and a bear !

Without a doubt this is our best year in the 5 or so years we've been doing this !

I think I'll lay off the early part of the archery season here in VA and prepare for the Maryland early ML season !
Have one day on the Blackwater for Sika and whitetails , and then possibly 2 or 3 days the following week for whitetail slicks on a friends place for ML whitetail slicks !

The Blackwater as always is a crap shoot , but the place in Allens Fresh is a pretty good lock on getting a couple .
By the time I'm done with the Maryland ML early season it's about time for the VA ML opener .

Be kinda nice to lay off a couple weeks and get nice and rested before I do the Blackwater and Allens Fresh marsh !

[Jim DiSpagno]

Craig my condolences. Just last year to the day we lost my little friend at 17+ years. Not easy but???? Jim

[CraigThompson]

Craig my condolences. Just last year to the day we lost my little friend at 17+ years. Not easy but???? Jim

Thanks !

And sorry for your loss as well !

I'm kinda off on the guy south of Nashville . But I found a lady in PA just north of Hancock MD that has some pups and another fellow in Wilmington DE that should have a litter before the first of the year .
Also a place in Lynchburg VA that might be able to help me out , but I've not heard back from them yet !

[CraigThompson]

Well looks as if I'm heading to a little bit north of Cumberland Maryland next friday to look at some Border pupps !

The fact that I cleaned the dog crate and have it sitting at the ready gives you an idea of the way I'm thinking !

[charlie cleveland]

make sure you fill the gas tank up and be setting on ready that pups awaiting for you... charlie

[CraigThompson]

make sure you fill the gas tank up and be setting on ready that pups awaiting for you... charlie

Next weeks gonna be a long one !

Tuesday I have to go to Lebannon PA to pick up our reloading component order for our shop and a friends shop about 9 miles away !

Thewo saving grace of this trip will be finally getting a MEC600 JR 16 gauge and an 8 pounder of IMR4350 to replinish my dwindling supply !

Plan on leaving that morning at 5AM it's about 3 to 3 1/2 hour drive from here . So I should be hitting up there right after they open up !
Get loaded and outta there by 9:30 AM and back down the road and hopefully home by 2 PM !

Take a good rest on wednesday back to the shop thursday and then leave friday morning around 8 AM for the trip to Cumberland MD (well actually a bit north just into PA ) .

[CraigThompson]

Also next sunday I'm "supposed" to be going to the Blackwater NWR to hang a stand for the following fridays early ML hunt !

But I'm not sure if the refuge is open based on the bullshit thats going on in the house and senate over government employes !

Since the guys that run the place work for the Department of the Interior .

[Dennis V. Nix]

Safe trip, Craig.

Dennis

[CraigThompson]

Well this weeks finally over !

Made the trip to Shirk's tuesday . And just got home about 2 hours ago from Bedford Pennsylvania where we were able to get a 10 week old female Border Terrier puppy !

Was supposed to go to the Blackwater NWR sunday and hang a stand for next fridays early ML hunt . But since the governement went in the crapper all MWR's are closed until further notice :cuss:

[CraigThompson]

Here are a couple pics of the little Border Terrier female we picked up today !

She's 10 weeks old !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/New%20Border%20Terrier/ND1_zpsd20ed77f.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/New%20Border%20Terrier/ND1_zpsd20ed77f.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/New%20Border%20Terrier/ND3_zps87f3e5fa.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/New%20Border%20Terrier/ND3_zps87f3e5fa.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/New%20Border%20Terrier/ND2_zpsb292bd76.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/New%20Border%20Terrier/ND2_zpsb292bd76.png.html)

[charlie cleveland]

i can see shes like all women dont want to be lead around....nice pup.... charlie

[CraigThompson]

i can see shes like all women dont want to be lead around....nice pup.... charlie
Well that was at a rest stop off I81 in WVA and we'd only had her about 3 hours at that time . Matter of fact the pic where I'm holding her was at the breeders house when we had just decided on her !

[charlie cleveland]

see you was up early too.. a friend of mine is coming by shortly we gona hunt for a bargain in a gun...hope the pups doing well... charlie

[CraigThompson]

Well I talked with the hunt director at Blackwater yesterday !

And I'll be going up one day for the first day of the gun season !

And my mind is telling me to take the LC along loaded with #1 Buck .

Of course my Savage 220 bolt action rifled 20 gauge will go !

And since I only need to walk about 150 yards off the wildlife loop road I may as well drag both guns along . This is the same stand I killed my largest 6 point Sika in 2005 , also killed a pair of hinds in 2009 and a whitetail doe last year . Gotten something there each time I got that stand site !

[charlie cleveland]

how well does the little 20 ga savage shoot..good luck on the hunt... charlie

[CraigThompson]

how well does the little 20 ga savage shoot..good luck on the hunt... charlie

That thing with Remington AccuBond sabot slugs and the Leupold 3-9 on top will generally keep three in about an inch at 100 yards !
I have the AccuTrigger adjusted to a crisp creep free 2 1/4 pounds .

Also finally got around to loading some 0 Buck loads for my bevy of 12 gauge doubles !

SR7625 using a #31 MEC bushing with twelve of the 0 Buck in a Winchester high brass shell with the REM 209 and SP-12 wad !

Got a pair of Parker's , a pair of LC Smith's , a pair of Fox Sterlingworths and the Ithaca I picked up last week that I wanna try this load .

[charlie cleveland]

that little 20 of yours shoots better than most of my rifles...i bet it will bring a deer down in a hurry..how far out will you shoot a deer with the 20... your ahead of me on getting the ammo ready for the hunt..i have some 000 buck loaded in the short ten..8 of them in the hull with blue dot powder...they shoot real good in a full choke parker 10 ga out to 40 yards.. charlie

[CraigThompson]

that little 20 of yours shoots better than most of my rifles...i bet it will bring a deer down in a hurry..how far out will you shoot a deer with the 20... charlie

The first deer I ever shot with it was a whitetail on the Blackwater NWR , she was a lasered 135 yards . Shot her behind the shoulder and she perhaps made it 20 yards after the shot .

I would say I'd be comfortable with that gun to perhaps 175 ish yards . I tried it at a metallic silhouette at 200 meters and was able to hit it . But that was from the bench and I also wonder about the energy out that far .

[CraigThompson]

Got a couple rounds loade for the 20 gauge Sterlingworth to try tommorrow as well !

High brass Rem hulls , Sp-20 wad , 15 #3 buckshot and SR4756 .

[CraigThompson]

Tried three of my side bys with buckshot today !

First was the little Philly Sterlingworth 20 gauge that used to belong to Robert Montgomery !
Tried that one with #3 buck 15 pellets , REM SP-20 wad , SR4756 from a MEC 24 bushing , CCI209 all in a Remington high brass hull .

The gun is pretty much M/F and both barrels did okay at 25 yards .

After that I tried the Ithaca Minier 12 gauge we just got . Was shooting a high brass Win hull with SR7625 , 12 pellets of 0 Buck , CCI209 and the REM SP-12 hull . The Minier is IC/F and amazingly it shot very nice patterns in both barrels at 25 yards . After that I tried my Philly Sterlingworth 12 gauge with the same loads this ones choked IC/M and it did pretty well as well at 25 yards . Also tried the Philly Fox with the same load except I had them loaded in Remington target hulls and they patterned pretty much the same !

Next trip I wanna bring the two V grade Parker 12's , the Utica Sterlingworth and perhaps both my LC Smith 12's .

I'm kinda thinking I'm not gonna bother with the Westley Richards or WW Greener with the buck . It'll take me awhile to kill a deer with each of those mentioned already .

[charlie cleveland]

glad to hear all of the guns patterned so well.. i ve got to get me some no 3 buck i would like to try one of my 20 s on a deer with buckshot some day..first i ve got to get one with the 8 ga pumpkin ball load... charlie

[Mills Morrison]

Let us know when you get a deer with the 8 gauge.

[CraigThompson]

glad to hear all of the guns patterned so well.. i ve got to get me some no 3 buck i would like to try one of my 20 s on a deer with buckshot some day..first i ve got to get one with the 8 ga pumpkin ball load... charlie

I am taking a friend to the range monday mid morning to let him get his ML figured out !

While I'm dealing with him I am planning to take my other Sterlingworth 12 , the 2 LC's as well as the 2 V grades and possibly the 20 gauge Sterlingworth to check them all at 25 yards with buckshot .

If the Shilen barrel for my 6.5-06 shows up tommorrow I expect I'll be tied up with that rifle over the next two weeks in prep for the Virginia gun season !
So anything else will be on the back burner for awhile .

[CraigThompson]

Charlie I think I need to find some more #1 Buck my supply of that diminished quite a bit after starting to mess with the 16 gaugers !

[charlie cleveland]

i looked on precision reloaders a while ago and they show as having some no 1 buck in stock they even had some 25 lb bags of rem. brand buckshot in some sizes... charlie

[CraigThompson]

i looked on precision reloaders a while ago and they show as having some no 1 buck in stock they even had some 25 lb bags of rem. brand buckshot in some sizes... charlie

Thanks !

I just looked at the website and it shows ALL out of stock .

[charlie cleveland]

it showed they had some earlier maybe somebody read our posts and bought them out... i see some for sale on gunbroker a coupla days ago.. charlie

[CraigThompson]

it showed they had some earlier maybe somebody read our posts and bought them out... i see some for sale on gunbroker a coupla days ago.. charlie

I use the #1 exclusively in the 16's and it works very nicely in the old LC Smith I started this thread about !

I have taken to stocking buckshot in 000 , 00 , 0 , 1 and 3 on my shelf . could probably do away with the 00 but I have over 10 pounds of it so I'll keep using it atleast until I use all that .

I had thoughts a couple months ago of getting molds and casting my own buckshot . But thats an awful lot of work .

[charlie cleveland]

your right about it being a lot of work..i wish my shelf was as well stocked as yours...i see that a lot of the old 10 ga buckshot loads were in the no 1 buck loads... charlie

[CraigThompson]

your right about it being a lot of work..i wish my shelf was as well stocked as yours...i see that a lot of the old 10 ga buckshot loads were in the no 1 buck loads... charlie

I have a handfull of old factory 10 gauge 2 7/8" that are 0 Buck . As well as a couple that I think are #3 .

Inside 25 yards do not think bad of #3 Buck in a 10 gauge .

[CraigThompson]

I shot 0 Buck handloads in several 12 gauge guns today !

Parker VH , Parker VHE , LC Smith Ideal , LC Smith Field with sleaved Westley Richards barrels , Utica Fox Sterlingworth and an Ithaca NID . All did well enough at 25 yards for a deer !

Tried some handloaded #3 buck loads in the little Philadelphia Fox Sterlingworth 20 gauge . This ones choked IC/M and I was surprised when the patterns in both barrels were not that great !

Shot several patterns with the circa 1940 H&R Bay State single barrel and handloaded #1 buck . This thing will flat out drill a deer at 25 yards .

[charlie cleveland]

some of them old single barrels will really shoot..had a 16 ga long tom brand one time with 36 inch full choke barrel it would shoot no 2 shot better than any gun i had at that time sure wish i still had it...put some 10 ga short shells in my game bag tonite there loaded with 000 buck 8 pellets to the shell does well out to 45 steps really good at 25 steps...gona go squirl hunting in the morning who knows i may run into one of them wild hogs that s been sited in my area...i ve never got to get a wild hog in my sights just yet but hope the days acoming.... charlie

[CraigThompson]

Got number 17 at 16:05 today !

Shot him with my Savage 10ML-II 50 cal muzzle loader at about 67 yards !

I hunted relatively hard for the last week . Only saw 6 deer the entire time .

I'll hunt everyday next week with the ML except saturday which is the beginning of gun season here .

[CraigThompson]

Got number 18 today !

Popped the cherry on my Remington 700 BDL 6.5-06 this afternoon !

Had a 3 point whitetail come up to about 36 yards of me and of course the 6.5-06 shooting the Berger 130 VLD Hunting bullet pushed with 53 grains of RL-22 did a fine job . The deer ran maybe 25 yards after the shot and when I opened him up the heart for lack of a better word was EXPLODED !


http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Deer/5_zps64ed4425.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Deer/5_zps64ed4425.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Deer/6_zpsdea75ab6.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Deer/6_zpsdea75ab6.png.html)

[charlie cleveland]

looks like you gona have plenty of deer steaks in the frezzer...hope you get the next one with buckshot... charlie

[CraigThompson]

looks like you gona have plenty of deer steaks in the frezzer...hope you get the next one with buckshot... charlie


Been hauling my Ithaca NID 10 gauge along everyday loaded with #3 Buck in the right barrel and 000 in the left barrel . Matter of fact had it up the tree this evening when I shot that little three pointer .

Planning on going out around 6 AM in the morning and taking my little circa 1960-1965 Mannlicher Schoenauer 243 loaded with some handloaded no longer made Speer 105 grain Spitzers and of course the Ithaca 10 gauge !

Can't stay anylonger then 9AM as I need to be at the local airport at 10:15 to take a flight to Altoona PA to pick up reloading supplies for our shop and a friends shop as well as the guy flying the plane !

Hopefully I'll be back and finished in time to get out tommorrow afternoon around 3PM !

I'm still shooting for 21 deer this year but I inly have 8 more days to giterdunn !

[CraigThompson]

Got my Parker 12 gauge VHE barrels back today from Giacamo . Perhaps I will take that for the last day hunt with my friends in the next county over !

Seems to me that 12 gauge Parker liked my handloaded 0 Buck loads fairly well !

[charlie cleveland]

nothing like taking a deer with the shotgun...how many no 3 buck do you put in the 10 ga hull....charlie

[CraigThompson]

Gonna hunt tommorrow with the same guys I hunted the last day last year . Think I'll hunt next saturday with these fellows also !

Taking the Ithaca NID 10 gauge with #3 and 000 handloads . I'll also take the 6.5-06 to stand hunt first thing in the morning .

[Chuck Bishop]

203 replies to a LC Smith:nono: There are more replies to this thread on a Parker site than all total posts for the year on the Smith site:shock:

[Daryl Corona]

203 replies to a LC Smith:nono: There are more replies to this thread on a Parker site than all total posts for the year on the Smith site:shock:


Good observation Chuck.

[Dean Romig]

Yeah, this thread seems to have taken on a life of it's own.... :corn:

[John Dallas]

Your note is kinder than the one I contemplated posting, and finally decided not to start a fight

[Chuck Bishop]

After getting a few barbs from the Smith crowd yesterday at the LC Smith shoot at Lehigh Valley Sport Clays, I'm trying to pay them back! BTW, there were quite a few Parkers being used.

All kidding aside, it's all in good fun and they are a great group of guys!

[CraigThompson]

Your note is kinder than the one I contemplated posting, and finally decided not to start a fight

By all means let me have your worst !

And yes I most likely would want to fight :dh:

[CraigThompson]

Got number 19 today using my Ithaca NID 10 gauge .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Deer/9_zpsc6d89303.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Deer/9_zpsc6d89303.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Deer/10_zpsf677d37d.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Deer/10_zpsf677d37d.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Deer/11_zpsa3fff99e.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Deer/11_zpsa3fff99e.png.html)

Shot this bad boy twice !

The first shot he was coming directly towards me and about 20 yards I let him have it with a load of handloaded #3 Buck seems to me I was putting 25 pellets in each shell . For the second shot he had turned broadside and I popped him this time with a load of handloaded 000 Buck , there are 8 pellets in these I believe .

He made it about 30-40 yards from the second shot back into some rather nasty stuff .

I was hunting with some friends in a county I'd never killed a deer before . We were doing man drives .

Plan to end off the season next saturday with them same as I did last year .

[CraigThompson]

Well that makes all three of my shootable 10 gauge guns "blooded" !



Now I'll start of the 12's I think !

[Dean Romig]

:vconfused:

[charlie cleveland]

them big tens will do the job...good luck on the 12 s...charlie

[CraigThompson]

I got a little news today I find a bit disturbing !

The two powders I generally load the majority of my shotgun shells with will be phased out by Hogdon this year !

Seems they will stop producing PB , SR4756 , SR4759 and SR7625 !

I use SR7625 for darn near all of my loads and from time to time SR4756 .

I suppose I need to get a couple 8 pounders of SR7625 before the supply gets scooped up .

[Rick Losey]

hmmm -

that will put a dent in the short ten list of loads

i see they are no longer listed on the website

[CraigThompson]

New Years Day 2014 and I got number 20 for the year !

Shot what I thought was a doe at 17:20 at about 32 yards with the Remington 700 6.5-06 with a Berger 130 VLD Hunting Match bullet pushed with 53 grains of RL-22 . At the moment my record with the pair of 6.5-06's I've owned is 6 shots and 6 deer !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Deer/2_zps470ad41f.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Deer/2_zps470ad41f.png.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Deer/3_zpsa3857b66.png (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Deer/3_zpsa3857b66.png.html)

This deer makes me equal the best season "number wise" I ever had !

Perhaps with three days left I can reach a new high number .

[Frank Srebro]

May I ask why you killed 20 deer in one year? That seems a bit much no matter how plentiful they are where you live. Also, what did you do with all that meat?

[CraigThompson]

May I ask why you killed 20 deer in one year? That seems a bit much no matter how plentiful they are where you live. Also, what did you do with all that meat?

The first 16 were on Damage Control Permits !

I kept the backstraps and tenderloin from just about all of them and gave them to friends etc . The rest of the deer were deboned and my gunsmith buddy grinds it or cubes it all and we cook it at the shop during the week for lunch in variouse ways . Generally we have four or five customers each day there eating lunch with us . So it doesn't take to long to go thru a couple dozen deer .

Matter of fact yesterday (saturday and the last day of the season) I cooked the backstraps from two deer for lunch out in the field for the dozen or so of us hunting the last day together .

I understand your question as I used to hunt your state in the north eastern corner . Generally I would have a buck and two doe tags up there and generally I'd fill them all where as my friends from PA didn't quite have the same luck .

To be honest the twenty I took this year are more then some of my friends up there had taken in their entire life and alot of those guys had hunted for 30+ years .

Twenty may sound like alot to some folks and I suppose it is , but folks who don't hunt Maryland , Virginia and several of the other southern states don't understand . My twenty is a good number but there are ALOT of fellows who take more then that in a year . My usual take for a year is 10-15 . I know several guys here that average well over 30 each year .

I will tell you this , after skinning gutting and cutting up my 20 and my gunsmith buddies six deer I was quite tired of semi processing deer !

[Milton Starr]

that's a beautiful nid 10 ga . id love to have one some day but out my price range

[CraigThompson]

that's a beautiful nid 10 ga . id love to have one some day but out my price range

Well you need to understand when we got that NID maybe 30-35 years ago it needed a new rustblue and the stock needed a refinish job as the old felow that owned it carried it on his tractor . So when we got that Ithaca seems to me we paid something like $150 for it and maybe another $150 for a nice rustblue and the refinish of the woodwork as well as a new recoil pad .

[CraigThompson]

There is or was a single barrel 10 gauge Crescent Arms gun on one of the net auctions !

Thought I was gonna get my hands on it . But when it exceeded $200 I figured it could go to a better home !

Got a lead on a Baker 10 gauge . Which would be great as I don't have an unblooded 10 gauge thats shootable at the moment .

[CraigThompson]

I got over the turkey hunting thing 20 years ago . But I think I'm gonna give her a go this spring !

Wanna try and plow one bird with my grandfathers old W&C Scott 10 gauge .

Might even go with some other folks that have given me invites over the last few years as I am 2000% sure they call better then I do anymore . I never did master a mouth yelper but got fair to middlin with a Lynch box call and a slate .

Some handloaded 10 gauge 2 7/8" with 1 1/2 ounces of Magnum 4's oughtta do the trick if we can get one within 30 yards of me .

[Milton Starr]

There is or was a single barrel 10 gauge Crescent Arms gun on one of the net auctions !

Thought I was gonna get my hands on it . But when it exceeded $200 I figured it could go to a better home !

Got a lead on a Baker 10 gauge . Which would be great as I don't have an unblooded 10 gauge thats shootable at the moment .

Hope its not that one Charlie wants lol it was like 350$ on gunbroker a hopskins allen ? Now theres one on gunsinternational for 799$!!! .

Craig I found double barrel 6 bore muzzleloader I think I need it :rotf: And yes I would hunt with it :shock:

[Milton Starr]

There is or was a single barrel 10 gauge Crescent Arms gun on one of the net auctions !

Thought I was gonna get my hands on it . But when it exceeded $200 I figured it could go to a better home !

Got a lead on a Baker 10 gauge . Which would be great as I don't have an unblooded 10 gauge thats shootable at the moment .

there was a baker single trigger on gb sxs for 350$
and theres a hammer gun on gunsinterational for 1500$ been for sale for over a year now .

[CraigThompson]

Hope its not that one Charlie wants lol it was like 350$ on gunbroker a hopskins allen ? Now theres one on gunsinternational for 799$!!! .

Craig I found double barrel 6 bore muzzleloader I think I need it :rotf: And yes I would hunt with it :shock:

An 8 gauge Lefever , Smith or Parker is large enough for me !

I have an original 10 gauge double barrel ML we've had for about 30 years . Might see about getting that one going with buckshot before next ML season .

[Milton Starr]

Ive looked at the pedersoi 10 ga sxs ml but ive read its actually a 11ga . I like some of the original sxs ml shotguns . Craig there is also a sxs ml 8 bore for sale though it has short 28" barrels . With my 10 gauges I only buy doubles with 32" tubes . ID like to load some 2 7/8s buckshot for my 10

[CraigThompson]

Ive looked at the pedersoi 10 ga sxs ml but ive read its actually a 11ga . I like some of the original sxs ml shotguns . Craig there is also a sxs ml 8 bore for sale though it has short 28" barrels . With my 10 gauges I only buy doubles with 32" tubes . ID like to load some 2 7/8s buckshot for my 10

Years ago I used to load a veritable PILE of shotgun shells in all gauges . But when U quit shooting competition I got rid of all the shotgun loaders . Then about 4 or 5 years ago after my grandfather passed and i got his W&C I decided I needed to start loading shotgun shells again so I could shoot his old gun . So I started with a MEC 600JR for the 10 gauge put a short kit on it and went to town as the saying goes . Not to long after I got a couple used 600's for the 12 and 20 and short spacers so I can load 2 1/2" in both as well . About 6 months ago I was finally able to get a 16 gauge 600 from one of our distributers and am happily loading 16's again .

At this point in my life I load far more rifle rounds then anything else . But I still shoot a couple thousand shotgun rounds each year as well . I'd say it's been 3 or 4 years since I've loaded any pistol rounds for an actual handgun although I did have some rifles chambered for pistol cartridges not to long ago .

[CraigThompson]

Over the years I've messed with a god amount of muzzle loaders be it Contemporary Longrifles , period guns or inlines and even a couple revolver repro's . But so far I've yet to fool with a front stuffer double barrel .

That should be a decent project once I get home in March . Be kinda neat to plow a deer with the old double barrel 10 gauge . I wish it were closer to the front of the safe or I remmembered the name on the locks . I do however remmember it was in very very nice shape the last time I had it in my hands . And as well as I can remmember we got it about 30 years ago . When I dig it out I'll need to get the nipples out and see if I can find a couple new ones just to be on the safe side .

Think I already have some 10 gauge fiber wads and overshot wads . Need some Triple 7 granulated 2Fg . Already have shot , shot and caps .

[Milton Starr]

Craig I wanted to get a 6 gauge sxs front stuff but its to much for me .
looking forward to hear your results with the front stuffer . I may use a revolver this year been looking at one of those 500 smiths and wessons . always wanted to hunt with a revolver . whats the barrel length on your 10 ga ml ?

[CraigThompson]

Craig I wanted to get a 6 gauge sxs front stuff but its to much for me .
looking forward to hear your results with the front stuffer . I may use a revolver this year been looking at one of those 500 smiths and wessons . always wanted to hunt with a revolver . whats the barrel length on your 10 ga ml ?

Never had the 500 S&W MAG in a revolver but I did have it in an H&R HAndi Rifle . Gun was kinda rainbowy in tragectory !

I had a revolver in 460 S&W MAG and a couple in 480 Ruger . They did very well actually better then I could hold them for the most part .

I had a couple of the Savage Stryker bolt action hand rifles in 260 7-8 and 300 WSM . Killed a deer with the Stryker 7-08 , thats the only deer I killed with anything close to resembling a handgun .

[CraigThompson]

Milton about 15 years ago I got hung up on Marlin leveractions and cast bullets . Since that time I make a point to kill a few every year with lever actions shooting my home cast bullets . This year I took three . One year I killed I think a dozen deer and all were done in with 444 cast bullets .

The cast thing gets me going every year and this handloaded buckshot thing in my old side bys is kinda neat as well .

I killed a two deer one year with old Marlin's from 1896 and 1897 again with my home cast bullets that was kinda neat .

Other then that I'm kinda hung up on the variouse 6.5mm and 7mm cartridges in Ruger #1's or bolt actions . Although at some point I have all intentions of getting a Blaser K-95 single shot with barrels in 6.5x65R RWS and 6.5x57R RWS .

[Milton Starr]

Craig I casted shotgun slugs when I was 15 . used a 13mm socket I loaded them and shot them they left octagon holes in targets lol . If I was reloading I could get into casting bullets .
Here trajectory isn't important at 20 yrds haha we can get real close in these Georgia pines . what I like about the 500 is it balance's perfectly in my hand my 44 didn't .I held th8" barrel hiviz 500 at a basspro fell in love with the balance and looks . Though im also looking at a belguim 10 ga sxs in like 95% condition with extra thick barrels tough choice . stll got one 10 ga sxs on layway

[Milton Starr]

Craig I want a big bore lever action styled like a henry yellow boy . I heard though you cant make a marlin look like that though because the forend hold the mag tube on .
imagine a yellow boy in 50 Alaskan , oh I can dream though

[CraigThompson]

Craig I want a big bore lever action styled like a henry yellow boy . I heard though you cant make a marlin look like that though because the forend hold the mag tube on .
imagine a yellow boy in 50 Alaskan , oh I can dream though

You might be better off to get a new manufacture Winchester 1886 and make a 50-110 out of it . I had a Marlin that was rechamber end to 450 Alaskan and I didn't care for it .

[Milton Starr]

True , but those are just guns id like to have you know . I think im going to get a Belgium 10 ga because its so nice and just sell the ec green when I get it . I want to keep 2 10 gauges , I like the way they look in the gun cabinet . Also if I sell the ec green I can use the money to swing a 500 s/w and still keep two 10s . beside the Belgium gun has been up for sale for a long time . To me its to pretty to take into the woods but the bonehill isn't

[Milton Starr]

My bonehill looks more "worn" or patina"ed if that's a word than the lc smith you posted . I like it though its a beefy gun at 10lbs 2 oz .

[CraigThompson]

My bonehill looks more "worn" or patina"ed if that's a word than the lc smith you posted . I like it though its a beefy gun at 10lbs 2 oz .

I wish I had weighed the Greener we had in the shop recently . That one was originally an 8 gauge but was sent back later and had fluid steel 10 gauge barrels added . I know the gun was rather heavy to say the least .

[charlie cleveland]

seems like i too am hung up on odd loadings and such..like the 8 ga pumpkin ball load and the triple 000 in a 10 ga 2 7/8 loading...also want to try the loadings of craig s in the no 1 no2-no 3 buck in the ten...i have taken deer in the ten ga with no 4 buck and 00 buck.. some day i will persue a round ball load for the short ten for deer..and then in the other gauges down to the 410.. i too like the marlin and winchesterand remington old calibres of guns..i have taken deer with the old 30-30 and the old 32 winchester special and the the 32 remington and the 30 remington and 25-20 444marlin 357 mag 22 hornet...i like all those old calibres and hope someday to take a few deer with some other old lead slingers but as of now im still trying to get one with the 8 ga pumpkin ball load...season went out friday so i got to wait till next season..oh well... charlie

[CraigThompson]

seems like i too am hung up on odd loadings and such..like the 8 ga pumpkin ball load and the triple 000 in a 10 ga 2 7/8 loading...also want to try the loadings of craig s in the no 1 no2-no 3 buck in the ten...i have taken deer in the ten ga with no 4 buck and 00 buck.. some day i will persue a round ball load for the short ten for deer..and then in the other gauges down to the 410.. i too like the marlin and winchesterand remington old calibres of guns..i have taken deer with the old 30-30 and the old 32 winchester special and the the 32 remington and the 30 remington and 25-20 444marlin 357 mag 22 hornet...i like all those old calibres and hope someday to take a few deer with some other old lead slingers but as of now im still trying to get one with the 8 ga pumpkin ball load...season went out friday so i got to wait till next season..oh well... charlie

I cast a bunch of 58 cal mini balls for some 1861 contract muskets I have and after my friend passed I wasn't bothered about trying them as he and I shot ML's together . Anyway a 58 cal mini seems to fit rather nicely inside a 16 gauge plastic wad/shotcup . So I am thinking about loading some mini's for my 16 gauge smoothbores and if it works I'm gonna look around for a cheap 69 cal mini ball mold and try it in the 12 gauge guns . Seems to me if the mini's are a tad undersize I can wrap teflon or even masking tape around them to make a better tighter fit going down the barrel while inside the shotcup .

Wish they made a mini ball for the 70 cal Brown Bess as that might be okay for the 10 gaugers !

[charlie cleveland]

will a smooth bore shotgun have better accuracy with round balls or a conoical shapedbullet..one of thepresicion reloading or ballistic reloading did have a cheap mold for a ten ga..i m gona get one some day...charlie

[CraigThompson]

will a smooth bore shotgun have better accuracy with round balls or a conoical shapedbullet..one of thepresicion reloading or ballistic reloading did have a cheap mold for a ten ga..i m gona get one some day...charlie

I'm thinking with the mini balls I can make the bullet diameters whatever us a snug fit in the shot cups .

[Milton Starr]

Craig nei makes like a .770 diameter slug mould it is a real slug not some foster type .
Plus a mini ball wouldn't work in a brown bess because its a smooth bore .
My bad its a .774 diameter but close enough to .775

[Milton Starr]

http://www.neihandtools.com/catalog/index.html

[CraigThompson]

Craig nei makes like a .770 diameter slug mould it is a real slug not some foster type .
Plus a mini ball wouldn't work in a brown bess because its a smooth bore .
My bad its a .774 diameter but close enough to .775

I was fed up with NEI about five years ago . They do decent enough work but every time I ordered a mold they gave me a quick turn around date and never ever came close to meeting it . Always excuses and excuses . Not once but five times , after five times of that I never bothered to order the sixth mold .

For me personally I've found Mountain Molds to be the better option . I have 5 or 6 of their molds . They also have a computer program that allows one to design their own mold send it to them and use Paypal to pay for it . Each time I've ordered from them they got it to me quicker then the time they quoted .

www.mountainmolds.com

[CraigThompson]

Craig nei makes like a .770 diameter slug mould it is a real slug not some foster type .
Plus a mini ball wouldn't work in a brown bess because its a smooth bore .
My bad its a .774 diameter but close enough to .775

All the 69 cal US muskets were smooth as well but they still made mini balls for them .

[Rick Losey]

its a fine point - but the French inventor Minie' designed the round to seal to the rifling in a rifled musket to gain accuracy.

will it fire from a smooth bore - certainly- but the effect is lost

[CraigThompson]

its a fine point - but the French inventor Minie' designed the round to seal to the rifling in a rifled musket to gain accuracy.

will it fire from a smooth bore - certainly- but the effect is lost

I'm thinking if I take the mini's and wrap them with enough tape to make them tight inside the shot cup they should do as well as any Foster style slug . And if I can keep the right and left barrel within 3 or 4 inches of each other at 25 yards then it's all good .

[CraigThompson]

I may find mini balls or roundballs inside the shot cups of any of my 10;s , 12's or 16's isn't hitting on much and then I'll go back to buckshot only .

[Milton Starr]

All the 69 cal US muskets were smooth as well but they still made mini balls for them .

Craig ive read that 14,000 of the 1842s had their barrels rifled and 9,000 or so had rifle sights fitted to them for the rifling and these were used by the C.S.A with the 69 cal mini balls . I also read they were more accurate than the enfields but had way more recoil . though I don't see how a 750gr mini at 800 fps has alot of recoil ? That's about 1 3/4 oz (764gr) I think . Craig I bet you would love one of those old "bore" rifles used back in the day of the empire .

By april I should have my 3rd 10 bore double im going to have to reload those rst shells are pricey but good