12ga vs 10ga

[KLR]

I have both, I use both. 12ga=SBE, 10ga=Rem SP-10. I use the 10 when field hunting geese or hunting divers out of the boat... because I can carry the gun on my decoy cart or in the boat. I use the 12 when hunting potholes or flooded timber and walking/wading eneters the equation. I'd rather carry an 8# gun than a 12# gun. The 12 is more versatile, the 10 is a dedicated fowling piece...This is still the USA and there is no law saying you can't have both

[GSaltzman]

I've done the same for years. I purchased a Browning BPS 10 gauge the first year they came out. I use it for shots on geese while duck hunting. I just find with steel shot the 10 leaves the 12 behind. This past year I started using a Patternmaster choke and have been really impressed. Patterns have improved drastically with steel and heavy shot. Love my 10 gauge for geese.

[cobracam]

I also have the 10ga BPS and have always wondered about the Patternmaster (although the factory chokes work well). Have you patterned the choke? What kind of groups at 40 yards in 30 inch circle? Are the groups at 25 yards the size of a baseball? Thanks.

[H666]

10 ga's are banned in Iceland so I have nothing to compare.  On the other hand I tried out a 3 1/2 inch Mossberg pump action a couple of years ago.  Kicked me like a mule, but rhe distance of a kill shot!  It was later used in hunting fox at distances up to 80 yards (didn't see it myself but so the story said).  The guy who had it, said he hunted alongside a smugled 10 one autumn and the 3 1/2 incher was just as powerfull as the 10.  Your opinion on this?

[gooser]

from what I have seen,the 12  3 1/2  is very close to the 10. I have both a 10 gauge and 12 3 1/2 ,where i've noticed the 10 gauge keeps a little better pattern,tighter..and gives you a  little more effective range.

[dukkillr]

I think the difference in performance is minimal.  The difference in comfort is huge though.  My 10 is designed to handle the recoil comfortably and balances reasonably well.  My 3 1/2" 12 kicks too hard to be practical for more than turkey use, and swings poorly.  I dislike the 3 1/2" 12ga for wingshooting.

[gooser]

yes, the 10 does kick less because its much heavier ,mine anyway, than my 12. But I prefer my 12  for most all the waterfowling i do because its lighter and easier to carry. when you have decoy bags and other gear to carry a distance,i find my 12 much better to take on most of our hunts.