16 ga still common enough?

Grizz Axxemann

Grizz Axxemann

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I personally, could care less. Before I broke the stock on my 870 (yeah, I'll get it fixed) my 12 ga was my do it all shotgun. My uncle, however, is a big fan of 16ga, probably because my grampa had an old break action cooey before they ####ed with the laws. Needless to say, I haven't seen a 16 in a LONG time. It's all 12 and 20s, and 20ga ammo is hard (for me) to find.

Anyone have any info?

I'll probably point him in the direction of a Rem 870 or Maverick 88 for his scatter gun needs anyways, but more info is better.
 
You talking availability of 16ga ammo or new 16ga shotguns?

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I shoot 16ga quite a bit. Its my go-to upland gun and I shoot clays with it as well. I shoot it just as much, if not more than my 12ga. I occasionally take it out for ducks too.

You can still find a decent selection of ammo in most places, but not as good a selection as 20ga. Prices are slightly higher. I shoot more for the nostalgia as its a hand-me-down gun, but something about 16ga loads just feel quite perfect to me imo.

I think you can still get new 16ga pump guns from Browning (BPS) and Stoeger I believe has an O/U in 16ga.
 
You can still find 16 gauge shotguns and shells without looking to hard, atleast around here. I believe remington still cranks out wingmasters in 16 guage and possibly an express model other then that I'm not sure about new production guns. Used it would be hard to beat a A5 sweet 16 and if it was safe to run steel through I'd probably own one.
 
I have several 16 gauge shotguns that I use on a regular basis. Very sweet gauge IMO but good quality ammo is as much or more than 12 gauge stuff. Also ammo selection is poor and with most retailers stocking rediculous large shot sizes.

I shoot 1 oz. loads of 7 1/2 or 8's mostly on crows and feral pigeons with several M12 Winnies.

No real advantage shooting a 16 if the shotgun is built on a 12 gauge frame as well
 
I have been shooting 16ga shotguns since the early 70's and have herd the same comments never have I had to stay home because I couldn't buy ammo. A scaled frame 16ga. is a joy to handle the pay load is excellent 7/8oz. 1oz. 1 1/8oz. 1 1/4 oz.
 
Many upland hunters prefer 16 ga above all others, myself included. While shot shells are typically harder to find in most areas, compared to 12 or 20 gauge, planning ahead and modest stockpiling easily offsets this concern. The gauge isn't a serious contender when it comes to clays or waterfowl, but then, neither are any other gauges besides 12 gauge. This is almost entirely a factor of availability and cost of ammunition.

Nevertheless, unless and until upland hunters become extinct, there will always be a fondness for 16 gauge. Like with the perfect woman, this devotion is based on how all the advantages combine to form the whole experience. The ability to handle equally both light and heavy loads, the increased responsiveness, the patterns that are possible with the optimal 1 oz load, and the reduced weight of the gun itself as well as the shells carried in the field, all contribute.

All of these comments assume a scaled frame on a properly balanced gun, which seems to be the norm rather than the exception with this gauge. Much has been written about 16 gauge. A good place to start reading is the following site:

ht tp://www.16ga.com/history.html
 
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You will hear arguments that 12s and 20s make more sense, are easy to get ammo for and come in more makes and models. They are all correct. Having said that I have an even dozen 16s in my rack and I wouldn't trade them for all of the 12s in Canada. 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
 
I have a few 16ga shotguns and I love them, one of them is my most prized possession, a wingmaster handed down by my grandpa. You can find ammo if you look, you can even find it cheap. I use mine for all upland, ducks, as a truck gun, and I've even seen them drop moose with a slug. Great gauge.
 
i love my 16s as well grampa had one my uncles all shot them today and so do i .have shot many ducks rabbits and deer with the 16g DUTCH ps even canadian tire has 16g shells here
 
have a couple of 16's myself and one of them has replaced my 20ga as my grouse gun...

never an issue finding factory ammo and it's usually not very expensive.
Although I did buy a Lee Loadall and a couple of giant bags of primed hulls so I could dictate shot size.
 
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