12 Gauge 3.5" vs. 10 Gauge for Geese?

[HuntinDawg]

I currently shoot an old Benelli SBE 12 gauge for ducks and geese. Around home I hunt more resident Canadas (huge) than ducks. When I go to Arkansas we have tons of Snows fly over just barely out of reach or at marginal distances. I am not concerned about recoil at all.

I have been thinking about buying a 10 gauge for goose hunting and for a second gun in the blind in Arkansas when the geese fly over. Looking at ammo specs online it looks like there is no difference in shot load or velocity between 12 gauge 3.5" and 10 gauge shells, and that puzzles me because the 10 gauge shell is obviously larger. Theoretically, the 10 gauge would have a shorter shot string and probably pattern a little better.

Does anyone here have any real life experience comparing the performance of the 12 Gauge 3.5" vs. the 10 Gauge using steel shot? Thanks for any info.

[ted b]

the 10ga has actual less felt recoil then 3.5 12 does.The pattern diff is small.I would use 1 gun to do it all just carry differnt shells,If there at edge of the range for 12ga 3.5 then there at limit for a 10 also the big differnt is # of steel balls that will fit in the same size package much rather have more then less :D

[HuntinDawg]

Thanks for the reply Ted B. I agree about the advantage of having more shot in the air, but from what I can find on web sites like Federal, there is no additional shot in a 10 gauge shell than in a 12 gauge 3.5" shell. This puzzles me greatly. If that is correct then they must just add a bunch of filler (or a bigger wad?) to the 10 gauge shell.

[hoosierhunter]

I don't know about the less recoil thing :? That 10 gauge pump HURTS when you uncork it! Ecspecially compared to the 12 gauge 3.5".

[Killer Miller]

Just stick a PatternMaster into your SBE. You will be able to reach out and touch those snows this year in Arkansas.

[Gary Crafton]

This is a question i have heard discussed several times in the pit I have hunted with both , and like them both but i usually stay with the 3.5 12,, They tell me the main difference is the shot string on the 10 guage is much shorter. If you shoot at a piece of paper that is setting still, it dosen't matter about the shot lenght string you are going to be able to see the whole pattern, But on a flying goose, the longer shot string will not have as many pellets arriving at the moving target as the shorter string.. I guess in other words there are supposed to be more shot hitting a moving target out of the 10 guage because of the bigger bore, and shorter shot string ,than there is the 12 guage with the longer shot string and smaller bore. I can't say for sure this is true but that's what the diehard 10 guage gurus tell me , i guess it makes sense..

[HRK]

10 gauges normally have a bigger payload but not that much,2 of my huntin buddy's sware by there 10s on geese but i shoot 3' federal ultra shock 12ga bb and killem tha same distance as them and dont want to carry a gun 10lbs plus do you!!!

[kingkilla]

put a pattern master in a browning bps 10 guage and you will be able to shoot to the moon with that thing

[Killer Miller]

The Patternmaster is a good idea, but if you blow a Strait Meat Honker, especially a blue one, you won't have to take long shots cause they usually come feet down. :lol: :lol: :lol: