10 gauge is larger than a 12 gauge, & it is the largest gauge allowed for hunting (at least in Wisconsin). I only know of Browning & New England Arms still making/selling them in the United States. Browning makes a semi-auto and pump. NEA makes a single shot. Some people prefer a 20 gauge for self defense, because it is smaller and has less recoil than a 12 gauge. When I say I own a Browning Gold 10, there is no competition left any more. No one else makes a 10 gauge semi-automatic any more, except them. Remington made an SP-10, but it has been discontinued for quite some time now.
12 & 20 gauge shotguns are the most popular gauges in the States by far.
Smallest to largest = .410, 28 gauge, 20 gauge, 16 gauge, 12 gauge, & 10 gauge. A 2 gauge would be like a miniature cannon & not legal.
28 gauge means - it would take 28 lead balls that diameter size to equal one pound.
12 gauge means - it would take 12 lead balls that diameter size to equal one pound.
10 gauge means - it would only take 10 lead balls that diameter size to equal one pound.
Thus, a 10 gauge is larger than a 12 gauge. It's a weird system of measuring lead balls that would fit that diameter barrel. Big balls vs. little balls. Thought you might like knowing that, Dirk!
Mine was a 12g chambered for 3.5 inch as I also shot geese & ducks (and the occasional traffic warden..JOKE) but I/we considered 305 inch too much gun so I/we just used 3 inch magnums, either Eley, Remington or Gevelot. Using it for pigeons, rabbits etc, well, I got so frustrated at the Gold I nearly ended up shooting the bloody thing.
Sorry I meant 20 gauge in my post not 10. Clear that up. Yeah I think a 20 gauge with birdshot is a great home defense shell. Plenty of stopping power with less worry of overpenetrating walls and hurt loved ones.
Is the UK govt making it harder and harder to have hunting clubs? I thought I read that online.
I do believe there were some issues with the early Browning Gold shotguns. The Browning Gold 10 is made different than the 12, & it's a lone breed in a 10 gauge semi-automatic sold today. It's more shotgun than anyone would ever need, but some feel you can never have to much.
Mossberg came out with the first 3.5" 12 gauge shotgun, which was there 835 Ulti-Mag. It has an overbored barrel, which made it compete very well with the 3.5" 10 gauge. Shooting 3.5" loads through a 835 is brutal, because it's a pump gun & light. My dad has one of these guns. He shot one 3.5" load out of it, & he will never shoot another. Birds drop dead with 3" loads. No need to torture yourself with 3.5" loads.
Thus, the point I was trying to make originally. The gas-operated semi-automatic action & heavy weight of my Browning Gold 10 takes a lot of the snort out the kick. It kicks less than my 3" pump shotgun. Likewise a heavier vehicle with better shocks isn't going to feel potholes as bad. Even with stiffer shocks, hitting potholes with a light small car will still remain a bit unpleasant in my opinion.
Last edited by Mark; 01-25-2020 at 05:56 PM.
We can use any gauge of shotgun in the UK subject to holding a licence. About 35 years ago we all went down to Kent, The Detling Game Fair. My brother in law and I had 10 shots each with a 4 bore, now that's a mans gun. We were shooting clays and you just couldn't miss, yes it kicked like a wild horse but was fun. I swear if the clay was launched at say 9 on a clock face and you shot at 3 you'd hit the clay.
My favourite gun ever was a 20 bore Lincoln o/u that I used for wood pigeon shooting and 12 bore for ducks & geese.
Take a look below.
https://youtu.be/yMtVW2gSJ40
No Dirk not really. The police (dependant on what part of the country) would rather you didn't own a gun. When I was in London I threatened to take them to court (this was back in the 70's) because they wouldn't accept my application. I had to phone Scotland Yard and quoted the law as then "It is every Englishman's right to own a gun/firearm" Scotland Yard were brilliant just the local plod making it difficult. Much to the dismay of Peckham police I went to Scotland Yard's firearms office on the Thames on the Albert Embankment to pick up my licence.
Thats awsome you took them to task like that Chad. From what I understand, the UK has done a fantastic job reintroducing wildlife back into its parks. I understand the stag, bear, raptor, etc. are thriving. And of course, my favorite bird, the venerable English Puffin.
Dunno about bears Dirk, What is a shame the indigenous Red squirrel is trying to make a comeback , with mans help) after being decimated by the Grey which we can shoot legally and I have to say I enjoy killing the tree rat.