Spanish 10ga S X S and steel shot

T

Tom Roberts

Well-known member
I was thinking about adding a vintage 60's Spanish S X S 10 ga to my collection and was wondering if the chokes on these were opened up if could they handle steel loads? Also, can most gunsmiths open up the chokes on these monsters? I know there's modern stuff out there in 10 ga but I like the doubles personally........appreciate any input.
 
Tom,
get a copy of this book. Even if you dont reload.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/The-Mighty-10-Gauge-6th-ed/productinfo/00M10/

I have an older copy.

Also Tom Rosters book on barrel modifications should be a source for you.

Sherman Bell uses the spanish guns in the 10 ga. He has written about them and his loads in the Double Gun Journal.

I missed a Stoger Zypher in a local shop and will always regret that. My Churchill Box lock is a heavy gun but fun when I take it out.
 
Do you think there would be a problem shooting store-bought steel loads in one of these Spanish doubles with open chokes?
 
Tom, opening the chokes to .0017 - .0020 (lite mod to mod), you should not have any issues. I have shot these chokes in a number of sxs with steel shot and was quite happy with the result.

You also have several other options, such as loading ITX, which seems to be the most cost effective non-tox.

Side note: if the barrels are chrome lined, it may be difficult to find a gunsmith with a 10ga carbide cutter. Be careful, I had the regulation destroyed on a chrome lined 10ga double.
 
I had Seminole lengthen the forcing cones on my Citori to their 5" XXL forcing cones. They did execellent work and I would reccomend them to anyone.

John Bourbon
 
If regulation or chrome lined barels are an issue call Briley.

They are very well thought of for double gun gunsmithing. Not just tube sets and screw in chokes.
 
Was it the recoil that discouraged you? Seems like with all the duck hunting clothes on and the guns weight the recoil wouldn't be that bad. I know first hand there's a big difference in shooting a 12ga with a t-shirt on vs duck hunting clothes.
 
W.W. Greener came up with the 96/1 Rule as an easy way to factor recoil and if your gun was being abused by heavy loads.

For example, say you have a 10lb 10 gauge, and your shells are a 1 1/2 ounce load. Multiply 1.5 (shot weight) x 96 = 144. Then divide 144 by 16(ounces to the pound) and this will give you 9lbs as the minimum for shooting this load.

A 1 7/8 oz magnum load will require will require an 11lb plus gun, and this is the minimum. Optimum with some of todays loads might be 120/1.

That is why many heavy 10ga or 8ga were 12 -14 pounds. This may seem heavy, but I have friends who pheasant hunt with these "cannons".
 
Thanks Mike.....Great info! I don't know why I think I need one of these artillery/anti aircraft guns but I tend to lean towards the nostalgia end of hunting and not neccessarily the latest-greatest-mostest aspect. In reality probably the best shooting I've done has been with a Rem 870 Wingmaster 20 ga I bought from my neighbor with my lawn mowing money back in 1976. I still have the gun!
 
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