I don't think the writer used #10 shot to reduce the recoil, the shot size has no effect on recoil......
Pete
Neither do I. I think the writer was loading 5/8 ounce to reduce the recoil......then going to #10 shot to keep the pellet count up. But WHY? He used 7/8 ounce of #8 in his second barrel. This implies ( as it does in any situation where people opt for 2 shot sizes) that should he miss with the first shot, he knew that first load would then be INADEQUATE for a second shot.
Here's another prespective......5/8 ounce is closer to a .410 load than anything else. Who would ADVOCATE a cylinder bored .410 and #9, much less #10, for grouse?
Whether it's any species of bird or clay targets,I prefer to use the one shot size I'm confident will kill at the limit of my range, then choke accordingly.
I've never been comfortable with the reasoning that leads people to choose a first load that that they have no confidence in for a follow-up shot. I've found #7.5 has anchored grouse, or at least broken wing bones on the few occasions I've connected at 45 yds. Of my friends who shoot #8 in the first barrel, to a man they back it up with #7.5 in the second. Some people even talk of #6 for "late season"....if they trust #6 for late season grouse, why not early season?
