I went to a small gun show today and was surprised to find three pretty nice 16 gauge pump guns amongst the tables. A model 12 Winchester, an Ithaca 37, and a Remington 870. The Ithaca had been messed with having a shortened barrel resulting in a cylinder bore but would be a great close cover grouse gun , the 870 was in fantastic condition and the model 12 was real nice with minimal use to the point that the action was still a bit stiff. In the end I bought the mode 12 and the seller was happy to sell it so it went for a great price. I already have a much earlier model 12 which saw hard use before I bought it years ago so this one is simply a familiar gun in much better condition with a full 2 3/4” chamber. I’m haunted by the 870 though as it was super smooth. Part of me wants to back and get it too but I have been happy shooting the 16 out of my A.H.Fox sxs and a model 12 for years and I can only use so many 16s!
Anyway, the vintage 870 in 16 is an awesome shotgun that doesn’t seem to get talked about much but it felt great in my hands and now I can highly recommend one if searching for a nice 16.
I also bought a couple boxes of 16 ga Bismuth loads this fall and they have performed great on ducks over decoys or the occasional duck I see when grouse hunting. I really do need to start loads my own 16 ga ammunition.
Anyway, the vintage 870 in 16 is an awesome shotgun that doesn’t seem to get talked about much but it felt great in my hands and now I can highly recommend one if searching for a nice 16.
I also bought a couple boxes of 16 ga Bismuth loads this fall and they have performed great on ducks over decoys or the occasional duck I see when grouse hunting. I really do need to start loads my own 16 ga ammunition.
