Who Still Uses The 16 Gauge For Hunting

Glad to see that there is quite a few still using the 16 gauge.

The reason I started this thread is because of what shells I see left on the trails when I am walking them for grouse. I see lots of 12 gauge and 410 shells a few 20 gauge and two years ago I even picked up a 28 gauge shell, but I have not seen a 16 gauge shell for many years. I guess I will have have to take out my old 16 for a few walks come this fall.
 
I only have a couple of 16 gauge doubles but I used one of them the last couple of falls. It's a very high end (just kidding) AYA that I don't mind clamoring through the bush with. Even hit a few grouse with it!
 
You can always tell the guy shooting a 16 whether its at a club or in the field. He is the guy picking up his shells....

That's why you never find any...we reload the durn things.
 
My grandfather had an old Mauser bolt gun that had rather crudely been converted to 16 and that was his main gun for years. I grew up shooting it at grouse but he took many deer with it. I use an A.H. Fox sxs and a Winchester model 12 in the sweet sixteen now. I keep meaning to get some Bismuth #4 shells to have in my pocket for the occasional early season duck I jump when after grouse but haven’t found them yet. I really should get into reloading for my 16s but I shoot so few shotgun rounds the past few years that I just haven’t taken the plunge. Low pressure, quality lead #6s and Bismuth #4s would make my 16s even sweeter.
 
I used to have an 11-48 and 195K in 16, now have a featherweight M37 with a modified choke and an H&R single fixed full. I love that little H&R, I carry it for turkeys in the spring (soon!) and as a close range back up for deer. Nice and light and you can carry it all day. I'd like to try a pheasant hunt in the near future and bring both of them. I'll just continue to hoard shells in the meantime.
 
Bland said:
Use a utility spanish sxs 16 gauge, mid 50's I think by proofs. Perfect for my type of cover; dense bush, quick shots with enough moxie to shred some foliage (spruce boughs) and still knock down the bird if my swing is on target. Put a Limbsaver on her (much needed) and good to go, much lighter than my 12 gauge Ugaretchea SXS. At the ranges I shoot a 20 would probably be just as effective. Difficult to buy slugs as it would be nice to have a few for bear defence.
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Bass Pro always has slugs in 16 g , and surprisingly cheap too.
 
madtrapper143 said:
These were the go to in the late 1970's early '80's for me and my buddy. Great memories.

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Darryl
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Those imperial shells were the cats ass back in the 70’s. My dad used em in his Baretta 12 o/u, dumping green heads at seemingly impossible distances, my younger brother who was 5,and I convinced ourselves it was because of the high brass that no other brand really seemed to have in the day, I was 7 the first time I ever went out with him, I’m 54 now, I distinctly remember picking up his smoking empties and inhaling the smoke and smell. It was a delicious smell , seamed different than any others of the day. It’s a smell I can vividly remember to this day, and my brother and I still pick up our freshly shot hulls and sniff them to try and re capture that memory 47 years later. Some of today’s shells are close but not quite like the good olé imperial of yesteryear.
 
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I am patiently waiting for someone to post in this thread that they got their spring turkey with a 16. As there are no turkeys where I live except in the grocery store I cant wait for someone to fill their tag with one.
 
Northshore said:
I am patiently waiting for someone to post in this thread that they got their spring turkey with a 16. As there are no turkeys where I live except in the grocery store I cant wait for someone to fill their tag with one.
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My buddy and I have taken numerous turkey with 16 gauge guns. I’ve used a full/mod choked Fox SW with 28” ejector barrels and he uses a beautifully restored field grade Pieper, also with 28” barrels.
 
Gldnbear said:
Those imperial shells were the cats ass back in the 70’s. My dad used em in his Baretta 12 o/u, dumping green heads at seemingly impossible distances, my younger brother who was 5,and I convinced ourselves it was because of the high brass that no other brand really seemed to have in the day, I was 7 the first time I ever went out with him, I’m 54 now, I distinctly remember picking up his smoking empties and inhaling the smoke and smell. It was a delicious smell , seamed different than any others of the day. It’s a smell I can vividly remember to this day, and my brother and I still pick up our freshly shot hulls and sniff them to try and re capture that memory 47 years later. Some of today’s shells are close but not quite like the good olé imperial of yesteryear.
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One has not lived until you catch the sweet waxy aroma of a fresh spent C-I-L Imperial, Maxum or Canuck paper hull. Cut my teeth shooting paper hulls. My dad bought in bulk and we were shooting paper Ammo well into the 1980's.
 
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