What older 10 gauge SXS options does one have to pick from that would still function?

[Just Duke]

What older 10 gauge SXS options does one have to pick from that would still function as a fowling piece?

First question most ask me is why?
Cuz I want one.
Second question; "You can do the same thing with a 3-1/2 magnum 12 gauge" Duh?"
Now that's out of the way.

I do know most one would have to pick from are Damascus steel barrels.
I also though I prefer not to would gladly load BP. I do really like the brass cases.

I have seen quite a few 10 gauges out there in disrepair i.e. Ithaca I would have no problem with polishing and reblueing the barrels, having the receivers case colored, and fabricating new stocks. The stocks I would do myself and would go with a leather cover recoil pad.
Thanks for any input as I'm not nor have ever been much of a shotgunner. ;)

[nekshot]

when I still lived in Pa about 25 years ago the craze for turkeys became 10ga. Hunters either could get the ithaca semi or a double barrel from over seas. They were everywhere at that time and were not a bad gun from what I saw and heard from the owners. Sorry I can't give more clear info but these were new manufacturer and kinda nice to hold. They went somewhere because I don't think 10's have the favor they did at that time.

[6pt-sika]

You can find decent shootable shape SxS 10 gauges for the 2 7/8" shells that are damascus in the following ,

Parker hammerless
Colt Hammerless Model 1884
L.C.Smith
Ithaca NID , some of these can be had with liquid steel barrels (I happen to have one)
W&C Scott
WW Greener

There are any number of British hammerless damascus 10 gauge 2 7/8" guns to be had . You just need to make sure they lock up tight , hopefully the bores are not pitted and the barrels hopefully ring .

[elk hunter]

In the 60's and 70's there were a lot of Spanish ten gauge doubles imported into this country, while not as nice as any US made double they are functional and can be shot with modern ammunition, but not steel shot.

Perhaps you're aware, but if you do buy a US made double, and you refinish it, be sure to slow rust blue the barrels as the ribs are soft soldered to the barrels and hot caustic bluing will attack the lead solder and the ribs will come loose over time. A lot of the older doubles will have rib separations due to age so be sure to ring the barrels before you buy as having the ribs relayed is expensive.

Good luck with your quest, the ten can be an awesome game gun.

[junkbug]

You can cut and reload plastic hulls for shorter 10 gauge reloads, even those using black powder. Black powder will burn through a case in one or two reloads, though.

[StrawHat]

The Batavia Gun and Forge company, Syracuse G&F, Baker G&F, all produced 10 gauge doubles.

Most 10 gauge guns (actually all the gauges) were set up for paper shells. Not sure what wads are currently available, that may determine what type of shell casing you use.

[6pt-sika]

In my old pre 1897 W&C Scott 10 gauge I use cut off plastic Remington and Federal hulls with the Remngton SP-10 wad . One and a quarter ounces of shot , SR7625 powder and a CCI209 primer .

Use the same in my Ithaca NID 10 gauge thats also 2 7/8" that has fluid steel barrels .

[CLAYPOOL]

Ballist Products - Look for Itiha (sp) mag. 10's $450.00 - $600.00 extra barrels are all most un-findable..Over and unders were around then too. Nice tight lock up..I can't remember their brand. The remington Autos are not being produced either..The Spanish Doubles were nice also..I was not interested, But now i would be..naturally..Lots of reloading info at ballist products..Componets, shot, etc...Not cheap, But......

[CLAYPOOL]

Browning Pumps in 10. Some others floating around..

[Bulldogger]

Depends on your definition of "older" maybe. Gunbroker is where I begin my searches usually, or just my daydreams.

Bulldogger

[Just Duke]

Ballist Products - Look for Itiha (sp) mag. 10's $450.00 - $600.00 extra barrels are all most un-findable..Over and unders were around then too. Nice tight lock up..I can't remember their brand. The remington Autos are not being produced either..The Spanish Doubles were nice also..I was not interested, But now i would be..naturally..Lots of reloading info at ballist products..Componets, shot, etc...Not cheap, But......

What kind of barrels do the Spanish doubles have?

[Newtire]

Don't forget about Remington. I have a Remington 1894. You can still pick up 1901 Winchester's here and there if you are up for a lever action shotgun. Some interesting info out there on Damascus barrels and testing done by a guy named Sherman Bell. All American shotguns using Damascus barrels have barrels made either in England or Belgium whether it be Parker or L.C. or any others. If you do have any of those nasty old Damascus barrelled guns, please send them to me for proper disposal before you hurt yourself!

[Just Duke]

Don't forget about Remington. I have a Remington 1894. You can still pick up 1901 Winchester's here and there if you are up for a lever action shotgun. Some interesting info out there on Damascus barrels and testing done by a guy named Sherman Bell. All American shotguns using Damascus barrels have barrels made either in England or Belgium whether it be Parker or L.C. or any others. If you do have any of those nasty old Damascus barrelled guns, please send them to me for proper disposal before you hurt yourself!

PM Sent

[ranger1962]

I shoot my Parker with American Pioneer Powder shoots good not as dirty as B.P.
I am thinking about seeing if I can use Trail Boss
I am using that in my pistols and rifles.

[nhcrowshooter]

I shoot a 10ga Parker grade NH with Twist Steel barrels and a Remington 1894 10ga with Damascus barrels. I have been using them quite extensively on both crow and waterfowl with low pressure nitro powder loads. Condition of the composite barrels is paramount but do not let minor to moderate pitting stop you but use it to get a better price. Barrel wall thickness is the key.

My Parker was in a bit of disrepair including being off face. I fixed it up in incremental fashion because the more I used the more I enjoyed it. A common trend among these old doubles is too much drop in the stock. I was fortunate, I had my Parker bent and the wood moved like a wet noodle, over 5/8" at the heel bring the gun to very good shooting diemensions for me.

I became interested in shooting the Short Ten after reading the articles by Sherman Bell in the Doublegun Journal on both the 2 7/8" 10ga and shooting nitro loads in composite barrels.

If you are going to shoot any volume of shells in a Short Ten you will have to reload for it, it's not hard and very satisfying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owXs4Eg__BE

The big 10 bore will do amazing things with 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 ounce loads. I have fired over 1800 nitro loads at crows through the Parker plus use it for waterfowl and occasional trap shooting.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj57/nhshotgunner/100_0784.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj57/nhshotgunner/100_0840.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj57/nhshotgunner/100_0841.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj57/nhshotgunner/100_0803.jpg

[6pt-sika]

[QUOTE=nhcrowshooter;2033962]http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj57/nhshotgunner/100_0803.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj57/nhshotgunner/100_0841.jpg



[QUOTE]

I'd like to add that one to my accumulation !

[bullet maker 57]

Don't forget Colt. They made sxs 10 gauges also. I have one that I load BP shells for.

[nhcrowshooter]

I'd like to add that one to my accumulation !

The 11th Commandment, "Thou shall not covet they neighbor's shotgun"

Lefever and Baker also made some 10ga sxs shotguns. Regardless of manufacturer production of hammerless 10ga sideby's was small in comparison to total production for each maker. The guns are out there.

[6pt-sika]

The 11th Commandment, "Thou shall not covet they neighbor's shotgun"

Lefever and Baker also made some 10ga sxs shotguns. Regardless of manufacturer production of hammerless 10ga sideby's was small in comparison to total production for each maker. The guns are out there.

I have the old damascus W&C Scott I shoot quite a bit and the Ithaca NID with fluid steel barrels at the moment !

Kinda been trying to find a "E" grade Parker 10 damascus hammerless . Had several in my hands but none that I thought were worth the price they asked .

Also am getting a growning need for one in an LC Smith :roll:

I had a Colt hammerless 10 gauge pass by me a year or two ago , but again I thought the tag exceeded the value (or atleast to me).

Incidently my 10 gauge 2 7/8" loads are comprised of 1 1/4 ounces shot and SR7625 a load Ross Seyfried published in Handloader awhile back for a W&C Scott identical to the one I now own . This load also worked very nicely with twelve 00 Buck pellets .


My W&C Scott 10 gauge damascus , this one is pre 1897 .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/10gaugeguns005.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/10gaugeguns006.jpg

late season dove hunt with the W&C ,

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/Dove2.jpg

Deer hunt with the W&C the same year !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/12-18-10eveninghunt002.jpg

And the old Ithaca NID 10 gauge 2 7/8" with fluid steel barrels . This one could be enhanced with a nice steam bend because it barks me a bit shooting trap !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/10gaugeguns001.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/10%20gauge%20shotguns/10gaugeguns002.jpg

Frankly at the moment I'm quite happy playing with the Short 10's and my old 16's !

Would be nice to add a nice Parker 28 gauge and most certainly a Parker 8 gauge . But for the moment I can be satisfied with the old 10's and 16's :drinks: