Show off your Mag 10...

T.W.K.

Here is my Mag 10. Bought it early 74. Serial 1000000970. Thanks Donald

I have been lucky enough to find a nice Mag 10 this side of the pond.
Its in great condition with a 28" barrel. It shoots great but the downloaded 10's I use in my Flues didn't even open the bolt, let alone cycle the action! No surprises there then! I tried a couple of factory magnums and it works flawlessly. 10g ammunition is horribly expensive over here so I would be interested if any of you guys reload 10g magnums, for any reliable loads. I can get most of the Alliant range of powders, (my usual first choice) CCI primers are my choice for reliability, I prefer to use fibre wads (many areas in the UK forbid plastic anyway) I have a supply of new Remington 3 1/2" cases Any thoughts on steel shot in the Mag 10? Its a heck of a solid gun, so I would be interested in your opinions.
Maybe the King of my collection?

Well done on the find. The debate on steel shot in older guns is alive and well over here as well. If it is a full choke gun the answer is definitely no. If it a more open choke the answer is you are probably ok. Some folks will argue there may be long term affects on the barrel. I believe you probably have a Roto Forged barrel on that one I would suspect that you will have no long term effects but I can not guarantee that.

as most 10s you find are full choke
I would not run steel down it.
the gun can handle anything you chamber, but the barrels choke point cannot
I have personally seen many 10s with bulging at the choke

the 10 was made for shooting geese in the golden age of lead shot
and was extremely good at it
I don't hunt geese ,I have mine because its an Ithaca and a really BFG

ammo is a problem your 2 over the counter choices are steel waterfowl loads or turkey loads
the turkey loads are at least lead,but they are all expensive.

basically my 10 is a sh!ts and giggles gun
but if I wanted to shoot it more ,i'd re die a reloader in 10 and use whatever lead shot I can find

The gun does indeed have a roto forged barrel and is stamped Mod. I take the points regarding steel and have modified one of my Lee load-alls for 10g, barring the crimp, which I roll on my pillar drill. I use the Lyman reloading manual and will work up a suitable lead load. I am unlikely to venture onto the foreshore for wildfowl and also own this gun as an Ithaca first (it is a BFG )

mod choke gives you more options
that said if your not hunting with it and there are no laws against lead shot
it wouldn't hurt to keep using it.
as far as size goes...
well anything goes from OO buck to #9

I have shot both turkey loads and 7.5s at clays
with my full choke the gun reaches out waaay farther then I thought it could
fully wound up my trap thrower can drop a clay out to 60-65m
and had no problem breaking them just off the ground with either load.(if I aimed well enough)
I don't doubt it can reach farther with 2s or BB shot.

if I ever have to shoot down a low flying plane ,its my go too gun