Need help with 10 gauge turkey loads

[Cory Rams]

Helloes everyone! I’m new to the forum. I purchased a Charles Daly 10 gauge about two decades ago. Picked it up at a rummage sale for $45! I thought it was a 12 gauge at the time. Needless to say I was pretty stoked to find out it was a 10! The only numbers I could find were “396” stamped on the barrels and receiver. It was pretty rusty and sized up along with missing a hammer. I eventually got it apart and polished up all the internals so everything operates as smooth as silk now. It’s basically been sitting in my safe ever since. I have been looking for a matching hammer for decades abs finally gave up and ordered a pair that looked pretty close from Dixie gun works. I gave them my measurements so they could help me pick out the Closest match. I sent the gun with my buddy who is smith a few deer seasons back to have them installed. Since I wasn’t in a hurry and he dose my work for free it hasn’t been done yet. The screw hole that holds the missing hammer in was either stripped, the original screw broke off in it, or who knows. I shimmed the action with a piece of aluminum and it locks up nice and firm. I also bought some RST 1 1/4 oz #5 lead light loads to try in it when done and sent a few with my smith to try when he gets it done to test it for safety and function.

I’d like to load up some turkey loads for it and am basically green as far as shotgun shell re loading goes. I cast bullets and have been reloading rifle and pistol rounds for 20 years. I’ve saved some of my browning golds 3.5” plastic hulls and figured I’d trim some down to load up. I also purchased the mighty 10 gauge #7 manual but have had a chance to read through it yet. I don’t think it has black powder/equivalent loads for Damascus barrels.

Any suggestions on turkey loads for it? I’m thinking 5’s and or 6’s? Anyone load duplex loads for these? I would assume 1 1/4 oz load is about a max payload in an old gun like this? I would assume this gun’s max payload, power, and velocity is about equivalent to a modern day 20 gauge? Thanks for any help.

[OH Osthaus]

you can start with this thread

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11403

and down load Peter's great load data chart

[Paul Harm]

If your gun has a lot of DAH, say 3" or more, then you're going to notice some recoil with those loads. The muzzles will want to go up and then the comb will slap your cheek pretty good. A lot of the guys just use a mild 12ga load in 1 1/8oz, but do it in a 10. I just shoot clays, so I use 1oz loads.

[Cory Rams]

I don’t mind the recoil I own a browning gold 10 gauge, a 300 RUM, and a 375 RUM.

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by Cory Rams

I don’t mind the recoil I own a browning gold 10 gauge, a 300 RUM, and a 375 RUM.

I shoot the RST 1 1/8oz loads , never patterned them but they worked for long range squirrels . I didnt feel like I would get much benefit going to the 1 1/4oz loads but I cant say for sure as ive never patterned them . It may be the same payload as a modern 20 ga but from what ive read and seen larger bores usually pattern lead shot better because you get less shot deformation . As well larger shot sizes stack more evenly in a larger bore .

How much does your 10 gauge double weigh ? Most I see come in around 9.5lbs the 1 1/4 oz loads should have around 20 ft lbs of recoil which I think is about the same as a 30-06 but the recoil velocity would be lower .