Author Topic: My 10ga "Carbine" (Read 4579 times)

pruhdlr · « **on:** February 06, 2011, 07:28:46 AM »

Started a project to make me a 10ga "carbine" slug gun. Had an older(approx 12yrs old) 28" full, 10ga sitting in the safe that hadn't been used since I got my 24" with screw in chokes. So.....wanted to make me a close range hog thumper on a different scale than most.

Chopped the bbl to 20 inches and reduced the LOP to 13.25" with a Limbsaver installed. Have a set of Weaver #19 scope bases coming and will mount a small red dot or a 1-4X Leupold shotgun/ML scope with the heavy crosshairs.

Have only found one company(Federal) that makes 10ga slugs and they are rather anemic. Wish I could find some with some real velocity behind them. Preferrably 1500fps would be great for the 766gr(1 3/4oz)slugs. Hardcast would be mo-bedda.

This gun will be a thick brush hunter,probably 25-35yds max. ----pruhdlr

spikehorn · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2011, 11:17:42 AM »

Let us know how the recoil is

zackyholdem · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2011, 12:30:28 PM »

i've used the federal slugs and while they may look anemic on paper they are anything but..... they will kill and hog/deer you will encounter with ease

pruhdlr · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2011, 01:14:08 AM »

Thank you for that sir. It is good to know that they are there to "fall back" on if I can't find some slugs to use for reloads. Actually......?......to tool up to reload the 10ga,might just be better of using the Federal slugs. It's not like this weapon is gonna be used as a "plinker" in some dirt pit. ---pruhdlr

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2011, 05:20:41 AM »

I would think you 'ougt to be able to use the Federals very effectivly @ your suggested range with a dot scope. Does lightfield make one for 10ga? I know they had 3.5 12ga "orthopedic surgen dreams" at one time called comanders IIRC. You could go the $$$ project route and have some solid brass cases made (Rocky MNT Cartridge Company) I think I paid around $5 each for ten 20ga. Then get a Lyman mold and do complete custom loads?? Good luck keep us posted. Kurt

gcrank1 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2011, 01:44:04 PM »

BIG round balls in brass cases.......how cool!
Maybe 2 BIG round balls per case......maybe more cool?

pruhdlr · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2011, 03:23:49 PM »

There is a guy on another forum that rechambers the NEF 10ga to 8ga. That interestes me however it is illegal to hunt with them.

A brass cased 10ga throwing a heat treated,90% meplate(.689")slug would very much interest me. Heck.....this will be a fun-gun anyway.

Prepped the bbl for the bases and installed them this PM. Will set the red dot(Tasco Optima 3.5MOA)on top tomorrow. My Federal slugs should be here in a couple of days. Anybody want to help in the sight in process ?? I got an extra PAST. ---pruhdlr

gcrank1 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2011, 04:02:30 PM »

What I found with my 12 is to do it offhand and not be tightened up anticipating recoil, stay loose, set the butt firm, but not tight into the shoulder, grip tight, aim and push the forearm forward toward the target, stay loose and touch it off. Did I remember to say stay loose........?

pruhdlr · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2011, 12:53:28 AM »

This 10 will not recoil any more than a "well" loaded 12. At least using the Fed slugs. Probably a little more muzzle rise due to the "short" bbl.

I am a big fan of cutting a large hole going in. The areas that I hunt hogs in is super thick with allot of standing water. It is absolutely imparative that you put the hog down right where he stands or he could be lost. I have killed hogs that you could see laying there but took you over an hour to get back on dry land. I'm now gettin' too darned old to do that anymore.

Will mount the red dot sight this AM and take some pics. ----pruhdlr

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2011, 05:29:18 AM »

I have no desire to help with the sight in (already have 3 shoulder surgeries) but would be very much interested in the video

Big brass cases with a Triball load would be way

cool

but not for me

Kurt

gcrank1 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2011, 05:37:27 AM »

Pre- Black Powder Express 10 bore Paradox load in drawn cases went 875 to 980gr., 8 bore @ 1465 and 4 bore @ 2000.
The 4 bore loaded about makes a 30-06 look like a 22Hornet next to a 12ga.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2011, 03:17:54 PM »

Here's a FYI just incase you decide to go 8ga. Ballistics Products sells a 8ga industrial slug BUT IT's ONLY 3oz

may not give the rush your looking for

Kurt

45-70.gov · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2011, 03:54:06 PM »

how about 0000 buck??

or even 45 0r 50 cal balls

12 is as big as i want........maybe.....your 10 sounds interesting

pruhdlr · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2011, 02:03:39 AM »

This is a pic of my 10ga. "carbine". It has the older Tasco Optima,open red dot sight installed. The sight has a 3.5MOA dot and is super sturdy. The OAL of the gun is 34 3/4",and the weight is 7lbs 9ozs. The LOP has been shortened to 13.25 inches with the Limbsaver recoil pad added.

I also lapped the chamber and bbl using JB Cleaner. The stock is still my "home made" camo from the guns turkey hunting days.---pruhdlr

gcrank1 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2011, 03:59:21 AM »

DANGER DANGER DANGER
DO NOT use 'Industrial' anything in a firearm!!!
I have from a man who used to work for Olin that you will HATCH a gun and maybe youself/others!

gstewart44 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 09, 2011, 03:06:15 PM »

If you want Big Bore 10 gauge and bigger slug experience and data go to the BIG BORE forum at GBO and read the posts of HUBEL458 (Ed Hubel). He probably has more combined experience and knowledge in the sphere you are looking into. Good luck. Ed has been known to launch extremely large slugs at exxxxtreme velocities, many on H&R frames.

Shu · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2011, 02:59:39 AM »

Sight in is easy, it can be done with 1 shot.
After bore sighting, from a bench at your chosen distance your aimpoint is the bullseye. Fire your round, then make sure you sight is on the bullseye. Then adjust the scope to the hole in the target. The gun must be held perfectly still during the adjusment. The gun is now sighted. If the gun isn't held still during the adjustment you have to fire another round. This sounds like an awesome gun but after about 5 rounds from a bench I bet the gun would be tired and need to rest.

FLNT4EVR · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2011, 07:50:51 AM »

Holy cow! Ithink I better start looking for a used 10ga before they're all gone. That is going to be one hell of a thumper.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2011, 07:55:19 AM »

Quote from: FLNT4EVR on February 10, 2011, 07:50:51 AM

Holy cow! Ithink I better start looking for a used 10ga before they're all gone. That is going to be one hell of a thumper.

I was even looking at the SXS in the safe.
I may have to order a Pardner 10 and chop it up and add a single express sight.

pruhdlr · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2011, 08:11:04 AM »

UPDATE ---> Before shooting I will switch to a cantilever base. I decided that I might want to add a low powered scope in the near future.

I have a spare Leupold 1-4X20 Shotgun/ML scope in the safe or might pick up one of them 1X scopes with the longer eye relief. Depending on how far the cantilever puts the scope out in front of the hammer. Longer eye relief will maintain the priority due to the recoil. If this is a "no go" can always put my red dot on the cantilevered base.

The only brass caseings that I have found are $10 each so.........little expensive for my blood. ---- pruhdlr

45-70.gov · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:23:09 AM »

Quote from: pruhdlr on February 09, 2011, 02:03:39 AM

This is a pic of my 10ga. "carbine". It has the older Tasco Optima,open red dot sight installed. The sight has a 3.5MOA dot and is super sturdy.

i like the short scope base

lets you wrap your thumb around near the balance point

pruhdlr · « **Reply #21 on:** February 11, 2011, 01:02:09 AM »

Shu, I have used that sight in process before. Works great with my hard thumpin' M/L and a 500S&W Handi.

I do the initial bore sight at home down the hallway with a orange dot on the wall and the weapon or just the bbl and scope/sight rested in the "V" notch cut in a cardboard box. Then at the range do as you stated with the help of a buddy or volunteer. I just get them to turn the scope dials while I control the gun. You still have to shoot a couple of shots to varify, but saves ammo and your shoulder.

Seeing that this is a single shot,I can expierament with the slugs used. I have found empty 10ga hulls(new) and a small "kit" type loader that will (slowly)accomplish the desired result. Now to round up wads,shot cups,etc. to put under the slug and to close the hulls. As stated,I am tooled up to reload 12 and 20ga(MEC Sizemaster)so am familiar with the process. Even have a book that talks about reloading the 10ga,just not about slugs.

This is a fun gun. I origionally had the thought that this would be more of an expierament than anything else. I will continue down this path,but hopefully will get to the point that I can actually hunt some of the bigger boar hogs with it.

Good Shootin' to all. ---- pruhdlr

Shu · « **Reply #22 on:** February 11, 2011, 01:34:17 AM »

Pruhdlr,
yep I fire an extra shot or 2 to verify. With those large bores I notice they get tired after a few rounds at the bench and need to rest. The small bores don't tire as easily and I don't mind shooting a group of 3 making an adjusment, firing another group of 3 make an adjustment until I'm right on.

I love the gun you built, it is an awesome project. I think I will stop at 12 guage, my pops got the nice slug mold that looks like a giant pellet and it works well.

I'm thinking as a reloader if push came to shove you just built the one gun for all purposes.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #23 on:** February 11, 2011, 11:29:51 AM »

BPI should have most everything you need to reload your 10ga with slugs .They used to make a Improved Foster slug that was 10ga 655gr called the defender IIRC .Kurt

pruhdlr · « **Reply #24 on:** February 12, 2011, 02:03:54 AM »

This is a pic of my "carbine" after adding the full length rail. I have my Optima installed for now. Will shoot it in the next couple of days and if needed will add a scope.

Hate to have to install a scope for the close range work that I will be doing. What I will probably research is one of them 1X with a 6"+ eye relief. My Leupold seems to work good if using 1X or 2X only.(it is a 1-4x20) As stated, a proper eye relief is impairative to keep from gettin' "bitten".----pruhdlr

gcrank1 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 12, 2011, 02:36:44 AM »

Express sights would be cool.

pruhdlr · « **Reply #26 on:** February 12, 2011, 06:52:28 AM »

I thought hard about a set of express or rear peep kinda like the AO brand. Even with failing eyesight I can still seem to be able to pick up the rear peep with the front blade(fiber optic would be perfect) standing tall.

With the 4 screw setup for the rail,I still have the option of installing a 8" rail vs the 5" that is on it. Same hole pattern.

NOW.......??.......,I am thinking about taking the 2.5X Leupold(20mm)off my 500S&W Handi and putting it on this "carbine" and putting a 1-4X20 Leupold on the 500. The 2.5X has even a heavier duplex than the heavies that are on the 1-4X. The 2.5X is quite commonly seen on the big bolt guns used in Africa. It also has somewhat longer eye relief than the 1-4X.

What say ye ?? ---- pruhdlr

gcrank1 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 12, 2011, 06:57:56 AM »

Max 2.5X for me, and easier than the express sights for now. The ease of scoping is one of the things I like about H&Rs; go for it!

oldsoldja · « **Reply #28 on:** February 12, 2011, 09:26:39 AM »

Quote from: pruhdlr on February 07, 2011, 03:23:49 PM

There is a guy on another forum that rechambers the NEF 10ga to 8ga. That interestes me however it is illegal to hunt with them.

A brass cased 10ga throwing a heat treated,90% meplate(.689")slug would very much interest me. Heck.....this will be a fun-gun anyway.

Prepped the bbl for the bases and installed them this PM. Will set the red dot(Tasco Optima 3.5MOA)on top tomorrow. My Federal slugs should be here in a couple of days. Anybody want to help in the sight in process ?? I got an extra PAST. ---pruhdlr

yesss, or a pile of flechetts

oldsoldja · « **Reply #29 on:** February 12, 2011, 09:35:21 AM »

or a grappling hook and rope.
to pull the tree stand up with of course.