16 ga still common enough?

[M12shooter]

Couple years ago we were going north for some fishing and stopped at a small greasy spoon and store for breakfast. The store sold ammo and licenses and some tackle. Noticed four boxes of the older 16 gauge Federal red box heavy field loads with copper plated lead shot for sale @ 7.99/box. Inquired if the guy had more and ended up purchasing 13 boxes of 6's and 7 1/2's at the aforementioned price...all the guy had in stock! Turned out he had stocked the ammo thinking it was 12 gauge and it sat for years. Owner was happy to ge rid or it. One of those rare find's!

 

[nelly]

Keep in mind I have only been into shooting for about 21 years....

But I have YET to see a 16ga shotgun.

 

[blueflash]

16 gauges are practically obsolete because of the 20 gauge 3 inch. I doubt if they will ever gain in popularity ever again, but they wont ever become obsolete. Even Canadian Tire still carries some old 16 gauge birdshot, but there probably won't be any introduction of any new Federal Black Cloud any time soon, if you know what I mean.

The 16 gauge is alot like the .303 British Rifle. Still lots of them out there, but they won't be making new guns in that round. They still make ammo for the .303, and 16gauge because people still use them, but they are'nt the best in class performance. It will still kill stuff like it did 30 years ago. Its just not ###y.

 

[straightshooter]

The 16 seems to build a love or desire in a man that no other gauge can. (some 28 owners will argue that) (yes I have a few 28s too)

regards, Darryl

That could be because 28 guage with 3/4 of an ounce of shot also produces an optimal pattern with a compact shot string. (the so-called "square" load)

Keep in mind I have only been into shooting for about 21 years....

But I have YET to see a 16ga shotgun.

That's hard to believe. You must be like that guy in the Scotia Bank investments commercial, who averts his eyes every time his wife tries to put their investment statements in front of him.

We'll have to organise a quick reaction team to pin you down and show you a few.

16 gauges are practically obsolete because of the 20 gauge 3 inch. I doubt if they will ever gain in popularity ever again, but they wont ever become obsolete. Even Canadian Tire still carries some old 16 gauge birdshot, but there probably won't be any introduction of any new Federal Black Cloud any time soon, if you know what I mean.

The 16 gauge is alot like the .303 British Rifle. Still lots of them out there, but they won't be making new guns in that round. They still make ammo for the .303, and 16gauge because people still use them, but they are'nt the best in class performance. It will still kill stuff like it did 30 years ago. Its just not ###y.

I disagree with almost every statement you made here (except for "they won't ever become obsolete").

 

[dave_t73]

Noticed four boxes of the older 16 gauge Federal red box heavy field loads with copper plated lead shot for sale @ 7.99/box. Inquired if the guy had more and ended up purchasing 13 boxes of 6's and 7 1/2's at the aforementioned price...all the guy had in stock!

Nice find! I've been looking for copper plated 7 1/2's for years, but have given up. Maybe I would do better to hit the small bait shops/general stores in the boonies!

 

[28 gauge]

Ithaca has reintroduced their Model 37 pump shotgun in 16 gauge.It is availale in Featherlite and Ultralite versions.

No trouble finding 16 gauge ammo .Canadian Tire in my area always has some on hand.

 

[Unleashed]

I started on a 16ga. Love it to bits, it's a 1908 Harrington & Richardson single barrel hammer action my dad got somewhere along the line. Never failed me and has led to the timely demise of nigh on 1000 squirrels (used to do pest control for the National Trust in England).
12ga and 20ga just doesn't cut it for me personally, the 16 will always be my favourite balance. I learnt to shoot clays with a 20, and while it was fun and challenging it just caused me to itch, but I didn't want anything has heavy and large as a 12, though that is what I use now - much as I dislike my 12ga (it's a Stevens).
Just my personal feeling.

 

[straightshooter]

But I have YET to see a 16ga shotgun.

You pushed my buttons, so here you go...

I sold my Marlin Model 16. Remaining in my collection - left to right:

• Cooey Model 840 16 ga. single
• Baikal SXS 16 ga. hammer gun
• Husqvarna SXS 16 ga. hammer gun
• Webley and Scott 16 ga. SXS
• Winchester 1897 16 ga. pump
• Stanford and Laxton Practical Gun 16 ga. SXS

Now you can't say you've never seen one. If seeing it first hand and touching it is a requirement, let me know when you're coming.

 

[M12shooter]

The 16 will never be obsolete in that it is somewhat popular in Europe. The Americans in the last 40 years basically have shown little intrest in the 16 so the ammo companies follow. The 28 would have met the same fate if it were not for skeet that keeps it going...and ammo companies cranking out quality ammo.

 

[Cheyenne08]

I bought a Browning BPS upland special about 2 months ago, it is built on a 20 gauge frame and weighs about 6lbs 13 ounces.

It has the straight english stock and is a joy to shoot, I haven't been hunting with it yet, but have patterned it with B%P 1 1/16 ounce loads and Federal 1 1/8 ounce loads.

I don,t know if you can get the shotgun in Canada, but it is readily available in the states.

Most of my wingshooting is for pheasants, and that is what I will be using it for.

Dale

 

[Ahsan Ahmed]

The 16 gauge is alot like the .303 British Rifle. Still lots of them out there, but they won't be making new guns in that round.

I disagree with almost every statement you made, here (except for "they won't ever become obsolete").

X2. Further to what SS said....

FYI, current manufacturers of the 16ga (SxS, O/U, Pump) - from memory...
-AYA, Garbi, Grulla, Arrieta, Ugartechea, Arrizabalaga etc etc
-Merkel
-Fausti
-FAIR
-Browning
-Huglu

You pushed my buttons, so here you go...

Ok, where have you hidden the rest?

 

[Mark Dube]

Keep in mind I have only been into shooting for about 21 years....

But I have YET to see a 16ga shotgun.

Then you are not paying attention!

16 gauges are practically obsolete because of the 20 gauge 3 inch. I doubt if they will ever gain in popularity ever again, but they wont ever become obsolete. Even Canadian Tire still carries some old 16 gauge birdshot, but there probably won't be any introduction of any new Federal Black Cloud any time soon, if you know what I mean.

The 16 gauge is alot like the .303 British Rifle. Still lots of them out there, but they won't be making new guns in that round. They still make ammo for the .303, and 16gauge because people still use them, but they are'nt the best in class performance. It will still kill stuff like it did 30 years ago. Its just not ###y.

I'm sorry, but that is just funny. Damn near every quality shotgun manufacturer makes a 16 gauge & so does Remington!

The 16 is the ###iest.

It actually still kills stuff like it did 150 years ago, and yesterday.

I've got to ask, do you read any firearms related books?



It always amazes me that the same guy who would never admit to running factory ammo through his rifles whines that shotgun ammo is not available in the configuration he desires.

 

[28 gauge]

I bought a Browning BPS upland special about 2 months ago, it is built on a 20 gauge frame and weighs about 6lbs 13 ounces.

It has the straight english stock and is a joy to shoot, I haven't been hunting with it yet, but have patterned it with B%P 1 1/16 ounce loads and Federal 1 1/8 ounce loads.

I don,t know if you can get the shotgun in Canada, but it is readily available in the states.

Most of my wingshooting is for pheasants, and that is what I will be using it for.

Dale

Forgot about the Browning 16 gauge BPS.Thanks for reminding me Cheyenne08.They are available in Canada.Seems to me I saw a used one advertised in the EE section of this site not too long ago.

 

[straightshooter]

Ok, where have you hidden the rest?

Left 'em in my other pants.

 

[Claybuster]

There is much myth surrounding the 16 gauge but one undeniable fact is that it has an almost cult-like following among a small group of shotgunners who become a bit cranky when the practically of their favourite gauge is questioned.

They will wax on at length about "square loads" or "carries like a 20, hits like a 12" and may become misty-eyed as they ramble on about the "Queen of the Uplands" or "pipe smoke and red and black flannel coats." Mention a Browning Sweet 16 and the response is bordering on orgasmic.

Back in the real world things are different. The 16 gauge isn't magical from a ballistic perspective. Neither is the 28 gauge for that matter and there are just about as many myths about it. I like the 28 gauge but it's reputation for "hitting out of its weight" is overblown. Same with the 16.

Should one of the large companies such as Browning or Remington reintroduce a 16 the fans regard this as a sign they do represent all that is true in shotgunning. With few exceptions what the big companies are producing (past tense for Remington) are 12 gauge guns with slightly smaller chambers and bores. Carries like a 12, hits like a 3" 20 gauge.

Factory 16 gauge ammo is harder to find than the 12, 20 and .410 gauges. It is easier to locate than the than 28 gauge but compared to it reloaders and components in 16 gauge are very rare items because it is not a sanctioned skeet gauge. The 16 gauge fans have never forgiven the NSSA for this cruel oversight but now declare their darling was meant only for the field and is so pure that it is beneath the squalid past time of breaking clay targets.

The nostalgic aspect of the 16 is undeniable however. Picture a gravel pit in Northern Ontario on a summer afternoon in the mid-60's, as a fair-haired young lad hefted a shotgun and fired his very first round. It was almost 40 years before I fired another 16 gauge and I don't think I missed all that much.

But that magical moment lingered with me and when the opportunity arose decades later to order a custom sxs I ordered a 16 gauge but with 12 gauge barrels. Carries like a 16, hits like a 12. And I don't have to special order components.

 

[Ahsan Ahmed]

There is much myth surrounding the 16 gauge but one undeniable fact is that it has an almost cult-like following among a small group of shotgunners who become a bit cranky when the practically of their favourite gauge is questioned.

They will wax on at length about "square loads" or "carries like a 20, hits like a 12" and may become misty-eyed as they ramble on about the "Queen of the Uplands" or "pipe smoke and red and black flannel coats." Mention a Browning Sweet 16 and the response is bordering on orgasmic.

LOL!! Take it easy, CB. You are hurting a lot of folks here. Moreover, this may cause Win/64 not to show up here for the next few days!

On hindsight, your observations are mostly authentic though

 

[Win/64]

LOL!! Take it easy, CB. You are hurting a lot of folks here. Moreover, this may cause Win/64 not to show up here for the next few days!

On hindsight, your observations are mostly authentic though

LOL, I really think CB is a closet Frenchman that is afraid to come out of the closet.

 

[nelly]

You pushed my buttons, so here you go...

I sold my Marlin Model 16. Remaining in my collection - left to right:

• Cooey Model 840 16 ga. single
• Baikal SXS 16 ga. hammer gun
• Husqvarna SXS 16 ga. hammer gun
• Webley and Scott 16 ga. SXS
• Winchester 1897 16 ga. pump
• Stanford and Laxton Practical Gun 16 ga. SXS

Now you can't say you've never seen one. If seeing it first hand and touching it is a requirement, let me know when you're coming.

Ok, let me re-phrase... In my 21 years of playing with guns, I have seen photos of 16ga shotguns plenty of times. At gun stores, and gun shows here in lotusland, I have yet to actually see a 16ga shotgun live, and in the flesh, nor do I know anyone who has owned one.

I think they are kind of like maple syrup, snow shoes, and the French... Nowhere near my part of the country!

 

[straightshooter]

LOL, I really think CB is a closet Frenchman that is afraid to come out of the closet.

Naw, just a guy who thinks shotgunning revolves around busting clays. He's entitled to his opinion like everybody else.

Ok, let me re-phrase... In my 21 years of playing with guns, I have seen photos of 16ga shotguns plenty of times. At gun stores, and gun shows here in lotusland, I have yet to actually see a 16ga shotgun live, and in the flesh, nor do I know anyone who has owned one.

I think they are kind of like maple syrup, snow shoes, and the French... Nowhere near my part of the country!

My invitation still stands. You can come and fondle mine anytime you find yourself on dry land. Despite what those who don't appreciate them may say, you haven't lived until you've prowled the uplands with a 16 ga SXS.

You have to ask yourself why people feel the need to denigrate another man's preferences. I could start a war of words on this site that would cause us all to be at each other's throats, simply by listing the types of guns and activities that I believe are overrated. I'll defend my preferences against undeserved criticism, but I feel no need to belittle others' to build myself up. We are, or should be, a community. If we can't treat each other with respect, how can we expect it from the rest of society?

 

[blueflash]

I can see that there are alot of 16 gauge lovers in this thread, so I won't bother responding anymore. I see theres lots of guys drinking the 16 gauge cool-aid...LOL.