16 ga still common enough?

[straightshooter]

If you need me to explain to you why the 16 gauge is similar to a .303, or any other firearms questions you have Mr. Dube feel free to ask.

Mark Dube has consistently shown that he knows what he's talking about. Someone who relies on gun magasines as the basis for their opinion, well, draw your own conclusions.

Don't get me wrong, gun magasines are a viable source of industry advertising. And, they're no more biased than J D Powers and Associates are in the automobile industry.

The rags owe their existence to selling low end crap to the masses. They make humorous "toilet" reading on cold winter days. But I wouldn't wipe my butt with most of them - I'd probably get more crap on myself than I'd wipe off in the process.

Edited to add: I see you deleted the post that this quote came from...

 

[Win/64]

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.

16 ga. "cool-aid" patterns best.

 

[blueflash]

The origional post, if I'm not mistaken was asking if 16 gauge is common enough. The answer is NO. I hunt at Long point Ontario for waterfowl. It is one of the best Waterfowl Management units around, atleast in Ontario. Maybe you have heard of it. I talk to lots of guys there, and anyone down there would laugh pretty hard if you asked them " heh is that a 16 gauge your packin there ".

Sure 16 gauges are still used by the occasional guy doing some upland hunting, but its not popular by any means. Just like the occasional guy still hunts moose with a .303 . Yeh a .303 will kill a moose, but knowone is going to be looking to buy a brand new .303 because a .308 or 30-06 is better. Just like a 20 gauge, or a 12 gauge is better, than a 16 gauge. That was the point I was trying to make, I was'nt trying to offend anyone although I feel like I really touched a nerve, by accident.

Maybe 16 gauges were popular back in the 60's, and alot of older guys still have them in there Cabinets. By all means if it patterns great, or if its your lucky gun or something, go ahead and use it.

However the first question posted, was asking if they are common enough, and popular, and I'm sorry to offend anyone who may really love their own 16 gauge, but the answer is NO. They are not common, and its not AS easy to find new up to date hunting ammunition that is readily available. You will always be able to find ammunition for a 16 gauge, just not the really new stuff such as Federal Black Cloud, or any other High quality, latest technology ammunition. They just don't make it. If they do, its not readily available, but maybe you could order it. Remington, Winchester, and Federal all make standard loads that you can use though.

Again no offense to knowone, and I call it as I see.

I am not a spokesman for Federal, I am just trying to prove a point. Anyone who hunts waterfowl, will know that Black Cloud Ammunition is the best steel ammunition you can get for hunting, and I don't think they even make it for 16 gauge, if they do then I have never scene it anytime I have been to Bass Pro Shop, Lebarons, Shooters Choice. I only see a very limited selection of older tradition shotshell. Don't get me wrong, the older ammunition that you can buy in 16 gauge still works at close ranges and all, but it can't compare to the newer up to date ammo thats available for 12, and 20 gauge. But if shooting grouse from a logging trail is all your going to be hunting then that old crap will work fine...LOL..

https://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=79&section=&ID=10006

 

[Ahsan Ahmed]

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

Touche! I must say CB had that one coming.

The origional post, if I'm not mistaken was asking if 16 gauge is common enough. The answer is NO. I hunt at Long point Ontario for waterfowl. It is one of the best Waterfowl Management units around, atleast in Ontario. Maybe you have heard of it. I talk to lots of guys there, and anyone down there would laugh pretty hard if you asked them " heh is that a 16 gauge your packin there ".

Maybe 16 gauges were popular back in the 60's, and alot of older guys still have them in there Cabinets.

However the first question posted, was asking if they are common enough, and popular, and I'm sorry to offend anyone who may really love their own 16 gauge, but the answer is NO. They are not common, and its not AS easy to find new up to date hunting ammunition that is readily available. You will always be able to find ammunition for a 16 gauge, just not the really new stuff such as Federal Black Cloud, or any other High quality, latest technology ammunition. They just don't make it. If they do, its not readily available, but maybe you could order it. Remington, Winchester, and Federal all make standard loads that you can use though.

Again no offense to knowone, and I call it as I see.

I am not a spokesman for Federal, I am just trying to prove a point. Anyone who hunts waterfowl, will know that Black Cloud Ammunition is the best steel ammunition you can get for hunting, and I don't think they even make it for 16 gauge, if they do then I have never scene it anytime I have been to Bass Pro Shop, Lebarons, Shooters Choice. I only see a very limited selection of older tradition shotshell.

You'd be surprised at how many younger folks use that gauge

Kent, Fiocchi, Remington, Winchester and many others (in NA/Europe) currently offer the 16ga factory load.

In the GTA, BassPro always has shells in stock - mostly Rem/Win and some Kent and those aren't the older traditional loads you speak of. Outside the GTA - Epps, Gobles etc also carry 16ga loads. EDIT - Believe I went a bit off track. I think I now understand you were actually referring to such not being available in non-tox loads at this time?

No offense taken....we are all simply voicing our individual opinions.

 

[Mark Dube]

blueflash

We all read the original post too, the answer is yes, it is common enough. That's my opinion, am I allowed to have one, or is yours the only one which matters?

I hunt Long Point too, and the same guy would think you were retarded if you asked them if it was a 303 they were "packin". The point is neither the 16 gauge nor the 303 is appropriate for that game in that venue.

You didn't offend anyone as far as I am concerned, one of the forum members asked for some info, you seem to have taken offense to the rest of us responding to him.

As you say "16 gauges were popular back in the 60's" but I wasn't born yet & I don't think that supports your assertion that "older guys still have them". And by the way thanks for your permission to use mine.

Yeh a .303 will kill a moose, but knowone is going to be looking to buy a brand new .303 because a .308 or 30-06 is better.

I guess you haven't seen nor read the post with the 300 guys lining up to buy a NEW Ruger No. 1 in 303 British have you? http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412828 I'd also like to know who told you that the 308 or 30-06 is better than the 303, and better for what?

Apparently not everyone here defines "up to date hunting mmunition" the same way either. It appears that you consider "black cloud" to be such, I do not, but the "up to date hunting mmunition" I use for waterfowl is as new, have you heard of Kent's Tungstem Matrix, how about Bismuth, ITX, Nice shot or Hevi-shot - Classic?

I dont use a 225WSSSM for squiril hunting, even though it is newer than my 22 Hornet.

I don't drive a 2011 silverado Hybrid even though it's newer than my 30 year old Land Cruiser or the 40 year old Porsche I had before the kids showed up.

Some of us don't appreciate the newest stuff, no matter how glossy the advertising.

Again I'm sorry you can't respect other forum member's oppinions, but I'll be polite enough not to attack your alledged age or intelect. I don't mind you having an opinion, I actually respect it until you feel it necessary to tell the rest of us we are wrong & only you are right.

 

[Claybuster]

blueflash, no need to apologize for stating facts. The trouble is you are attempting to counter an emotional belief with an intellectual argument.

The OP did ask about a new gun and the current availability of 16 gauge ammo. The fact is guns and ammo are not as available as 12 and 20 gauge and if you are in the Long Point area it is possible to not see a 16 gauge unless you went specifically looking for one.

Those of us who don't get starry eyed about the 16 have been accused of not reading books, for reading magazines good for nothing else than wiping the butt of a 16 gauge owner, believing that shotgunning revolves only around clays (it doesn't) and that we "haven't lived" unless we've prowled the uplands with a 16. Actually prowling the uplands with a 12 or 20 is not the hallmark of a life less lived much to the chagrin of the 16 Gauge Society.

They did prove one of my points however and that is the 16 gauge owners can be a cranky lot.

 

[straightshooter]

The origional post, if I'm not mistaken was asking if 16 gauge is common enough. The answer is NO. I hunt at Long point Ontario for waterfowl. It is one of the best Waterfowl Management units around, atleast in Ontario. Maybe you have heard of it. I talk to lots of guys there, and anyone down there would laugh pretty hard if you asked them " heh is that a 16 gauge your packin there ".

Sure 16 gauges are still used by the occasional guy doing some upland hunting, but its not popular by any means. Just like the occasional guy still hunts moose with a .303 . Yeh a .303 will kill a moose, but knowone is going to be looking to buy a brand new .303 because a .308 or 30-06 is better. Just like a 20 gauge, or a 12 gauge is better, than a 16 gauge. That was the point I was trying to make, I was'nt trying to offend anyone although I feel like I really touched a nerve, by accident.

Maybe 16 gauges were popular back in the 60's, and alot of older guys still have them in there Cabinets. By all means if it patterns great, or if its your lucky gun or something, go ahead and use it.

However the first question posted, was asking if they are common enough, and popular, and I'm sorry to offend anyone who may really love their own 16 gauge, but the answer is NO. They are not common, and its not AS easy to find new up to date hunting ammunition that is readily available. You will always be able to find ammunition for a 16 gauge, just not the really new stuff such as Federal Black Cloud, or any other High quality, latest technology ammunition. They just don't make it. If they do, its not readily available, but maybe you could order it. Remington, Winchester, and Federal all make standard loads that you can use though.

Again no offense to knowone, and I call it as I see.

I am not a spokesman for Federal, I am just trying to prove a point. Anyone who hunts waterfowl, will know that Black Cloud Ammunition is the best steel ammunition you can get for hunting, and I don't think they even make it for 16 gauge, if they do then I have never scene it anytime I have been to Bass Pro Shop, Lebarons, Shooters Choice. I only see a very limited selection of older tradition shotshell.

https://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=79&section=&ID=10006

No offense taken. I felt your attack on Mark Dube was unwarranted, and you must have realised it yourself, as you edited the full post out before I could even reply.

However, the topic being 16 ga, I still disagree with your limited assessment. 16 gauge is still popular in Europe. It's equally popular with upland hunters in North America.

I would never recommend 16 ga for clay sports, nor would I recommend the gauge for waterfowl. At the same time, I would never recommend shorter than 26" barrels for any application besides door breaching (or, in some cases, CAS). I wouldn't recommend semi-autos for clay sports. I wouldn't recommend cast-off stocks for left-handed shooters. I wouldn't recommend 32" barrels in the thickets. And, I could go on all day.

Does this mean any or all of these are obsolete? Hardly! Does it mean you can't use them in those applications? Not at all. Does it mean they're obsolete and nobody likes them or uses them anymore? Nope.

If what you mean to say is that 16 ga is far from the best choice for migratory birds, you would get no debate from me. If you were to suggest that those new to clay sports would be best to focus on 12 ga, I couldn't agree with you more. But the 16 ga obsolete and the .303 the purview of old men and collectors? All I can say to that is there's a lot more to firearms than what you can buy at Bass or Lebarons, or read about in "Modern Shotgunner".

Many previous posters have mentioned that 16 ga shells can be found at their local Canadian Tire. The guns themselves are certainly not rare and can be ordered new. If the OP is considering a purchase, I would encourage him to do so. Thanks to this discussion, he certainly has a good feel for what types of shooting they're especially well suited to, and which they are not.

 

[Win/64]

blueflash, no need to apologize for stating facts. The trouble is you are attempting to counter an emotional belief with an intellectual argument.

The OP did ask about a new gun and the current availability of 16 gauge ammo. The fact is guns and ammo are not as available as 12 and 20 gauge and if you are in the Long Point area it is possible to not see a 16 gauge unless you went specifically looking for one.

Those of us who don't get starry eyed about the 16 have been accused of not reading books, for reading magazines good for nothing else than wiping the butt of a 16 gauge owner, believing that shotgunning revolves only around clays (it doesn't) and that we "haven't lived" unless we've prowled the uplands with a 16. Actually prowling the uplands with a 12 or 20 is not the hallmark of a life less lived much to the chagrin of the 16 Gauge Society.

They did prove one of my points however and that is the 16 gauge owners can be a cranky lot.

That's it.... You and Manbearapig will both be on my ignore list.

 

[straightshooter]

Those of us who don't get starry eyed about the 16 have been accused of not reading books, for reading magazines good for nothing else than wiping the butt of a 16 gauge owner, believing that shotgunning revolves only around clays (it doesn't) and that we "haven't lived" unless we've prowled the uplands with a 16. Actually prowling the uplands with a 12 or 20 is not the hallmark of a life less lived much to the chagrin of the 16 Gauge Society.

I wasn't talking about you, CB, although you can take on the mantle, if you wish. I was responding to a post blueflash wrote and then promptly edited out. Suffice to say, it was nonsense.

I definitely support the 16 gauge's rightful place among modern gauges, but that's not at the expense of other gauges. I'm "for" all gauges and "against" none. I'm sure I own and shoot as many 12 and 20 gauges as you, in the uplands as well as elsewhere. For me, this thread is not one gauge vs. another. It was a simple question about the viability of the 16 gauge. And the answer remains, a big thumbs up. I don't belong to any 16 gauge society, but I stand by my earlier comment that, if you haven't hunted the uplands with a nice 16 ga SXS, you should at least give it a try before you dismiss it.

My personal tastes include a wide variety of styles (singles, SXS's, pumps, semi-autos, U/O's) made by a vast array of makers, and chambered in all available gauges, past and present. My only regret is that I can't afford the time or the money to own and shoot them all.

 

[CCIC]

The origional post, if I'm not mistaken was asking if 16 gauge is common enough. The answer is NO. I hunt at Long point Ontario for waterfowl. It is one of the best Waterfowl Management units around, atleast in Ontario. Maybe you have heard of it. I talk to lots of guys there, and anyone down there would laugh pretty hard if you asked them " heh is that a 16 gauge your packin there ".

Sure 16 gauges are still used by the occasional guy doing some upland hunting, but its not popular by any means. Just like the occasional guy still hunts moose with a .303 . Yeh a .303 will kill a moose, but knowone is going to be looking to buy a brand new .303 because a .308 or 30-06 is better. Just like a 20 gauge, or a 12 gauge is better, than a 16 gauge. That was the point I was trying to make, I was'nt trying to offend anyone although I feel like I really touched a nerve, by accident.

Maybe 16 gauges were popular back in the 60's, and alot of older guys still have them in there Cabinets. By all means if it patterns great, or if its your lucky gun or something, go ahead and use it.

However the first question posted, was asking if they are common enough, and popular, and I'm sorry to offend anyone who may really love their own 16 gauge, but the answer is NO. They are not common, and its not AS easy to find new up to date hunting ammunition that is readily available. You will always be able to find ammunition for a 16 gauge, just not the really new stuff such as Federal Black Cloud, or any other High quality, latest technology ammunition. They just don't make it. If they do, its not readily available, but maybe you could order it. Remington, Winchester, and Federal all make standard loads that you can use though.

Again no offense to knowone, and I call it as I see.

I am not a spokesman for Federal, I am just trying to prove a point. Anyone who hunts waterfowl, will know that Black Cloud Ammunition is the best steel ammunition you can get for hunting, and I don't think they even make it for 16 gauge, if they do then I have never scene it anytime I have been to Bass Pro Shop, Lebarons, Shooters Choice. I only see a very limited selection of older tradition shotshell. Don't get me wrong, the older ammunition that you can buy in 16 gauge still works at close ranges and all, but it can't compare to the newer up to date ammo thats available for 12, and 20 gauge. But if shooting grouse from a logging trail is all your going to be hunting then that old crap will work fine...LOL..

https://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=79&section=&ID=10006

I would love to see your arsenal,probably more handguns,and semi's than anything else,a very short 12ga pump,and a 1 trader rating that you got in 2007 when you sold your 16 here on the EE and you've been kicking your a$$ ever since..I know I should'nt have said that..but isn't it what all of you(16ga lovers) think...

 

[struff55]

In the late 60's and 70's when I was a very young hunter I was given a Win 16ga, Model 12 I hunted all birds with that gun including Big Canada's and ducks and never felt undergunned next to anyone and usually helped fill other peoples limits 1 1/8oz and 1 1/4oz lead worked very well considering now that is the standard and magnum load in 12ga.steel I still use the 16ga. load it with Bismuth and shoot ducks Is it the best ga.maybe so in the view of some is it obsolete maybe to some all I know is this thread can go on till hell freezes over and I will still hunt with a 16ga. P.S I do own every ga.made and many in duplicate.

 

[blueflash]

I am not going to defend my 1 trader rating, because I am not embarresed to let anyone know I don't spend much time on the internet trading guns. I do however spend alot of time hunting waterfowl ( thats the fancy name for ducks and geese, just to keep you up to speed. Keep up if you can ), and taking huge Toms ( fancy name again for Male, I mean big men Turkey) . All of this is done with my old 870 12 gauge pump, with a 28 inch barrel. So you got me there, I am not a huge gun trader over the internet. I am not a collector, like many fine men on this website, but I do own 6 guns that get used quite alot, for hunting. I do target shoot once a year however when I sight in my Moose rifle before I go up to Thunder Bay for 2 weeks in the fall, for the moose hunt ( looks kind of like a horse only bigger ).

You do have me though, My wife just bought me a handgun for our 15 year anniversary, from another fine CGN member. Not here yet though, can't wait.

Anyways, I have never ever had a bad experience with anyone on this website, however I have found a few arrogant members in this thread here quite rude, but heh lots of guys act big when there is a computer screen in front of there face and not the others mans eyes. So I am not offended, I find it quite humourous actually. My wife and kids are looking at this right now getting a good laugh over it.

So to finish off, I was merely trying to give the guy who posted this question, a answer from my point of view. I never even begin to think that I would be bombarded,and attacked with sarcastic comment after sarcastic comment from arrogant members. I still don't feel badly about it because I know that almost all of the CGN members I have ever talked to have always been polite and courtious. This thread has turned into the twilight Zone of threads. LOL. I am not talking about every guy in here, I don't mind a debate, but some of the guys in here are'nt debating. I am sure that the decent guys in this thread are probably laughing over this.

I would like to say sorry to the guy who first posted this thread, looking for some answers and different opinions, I had no idea there were going to be so many rude people in this thread. I would also like to say sorry to the fellow members who have responded to this thread, trying to help and be informative, just like I tried.

Anyhow, thanks for the good times. LOL..

 

[Win/64]

I am not going to defend my 1 trader rating, because I am not embarresed to let anyone know I don't spend much time on the internet trading guns. I do however spend alot of time hunting waterfowl ( thats the fancy name for ducks and geese, just to keep you up to speed. Keep up if you can ), and taking huge Toms ( fancy name again for Male, I mean big men Turkey) . All of this is done with my old 870 12 gauge pump, with a 28 inch barrel. So you got me there, I am not a huge gun trader over the internet. I am not a collector, like many fine men on this website, but I do own 6 guns that get used quite alot, for hunting. I do target shoot once a year however when I sight in my Moose rifle before I go up to Thunder Bay for 2 weeks in the fall, for the moose hunt ( looks kind of like a horse only bigger ).

You do have me though, My wife just bought me a handgun for our 15 year anniversary, from another fine CGN member. Not here yet though, can't wait.

Anyways, I have never ever had a bad experience with anyone on this website, however I have found a few arrogant members in this thread here quite rude, but heh lots of guys act big when there is a computer screen in front of there face and not the others mans eyes. So I am not offended, I find it quite humourous actually. My wife and kids are looking at this right now getting a good laugh over it.

So to finish off, I was merely trying to give the guy who posted this question, a answer from my point of view. I never even begin to think that I would be bombarded,and attacked with sarcastic comment after sarcastic comment from arrogant members. I still don't feel badly about it because I know that almost all of the CGN members I have ever talked to have always been polite and courtious. This thread has turned into the twilight Zone of threads. LOL. I am not talking about every guy in here, I don't mind a debate, but some of the guys in here are'nt debating. I am sure that the decent guys in this thread are probably laughing over this.

I would like to say sorry to the guy who first posted this thread, looking for some answers and different opinions, I had no idea there were going to be so many rude people in this thread. I would also like to say sorry to the fellow members who have responded to this thread, trying to help and be informative, just like I tried.

Anyhow, thanks for the good times. LOL..

Wow, What interestimg reading. You have to realise some people are very passionate about the 16 ga. I don't see anything wrong with that.

 

[blueflash]

I don't see anything wrong with that either, and I like to debate as much as the next guy, but there is no need to say things to or about a guy when he is just trying to help answer the question the poster started, Right? Thats not being passionate, thats just being a _____ .....you fill in the blank. Anyways, I am going to leave this thread and never return to it. Happy hunting, and be safe.

 

[Claybuster]

I wasn't talking about you, CB, although you can take on the mantle, if you wish.

Not to prolong the argument but to whom were you referring to with this remark?

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

No worries. We'll just let that one slide.

I definitely support the 16 gauge's rightful place among modern gauges, but that's not at the expense of other gauges. I'm "for" all gauges and "against" none. I'm sure I own and shoot as many 12 and 20 gauges as you, in the uplands as well as elsewhere. For me, this thread is not one gauge vs. another. It was a simple question about the viability of the 16 gauge. And the answer remains, a big thumbs up. I don't belong to any 16 gauge society, but I stand by my earlier comment that, if you haven't hunted the uplands with a nice 16 ga SXS, you should at least give it a try before you dismiss it.

I don't dismiss the 16 gauge and have hunted the uplands with a nice (borrowed) 16 Ugartechea. Should I find a nice 16 gauge, perhaps the Darne of my dreams at a fair price, I would snap it up in an instant. That said I don't think it's a gauge for someone who will be frustrated by having to make the additional effort required. I feel the same way about the 28 gauge even though I like it a great deal.

My personal tastes include a wide variety of styles (singles, SXS's, pumps, semi-autos, U/O's) made by a vast array of makers, and chambered in all available gauges, past and present. My only regret is that I can't afford the time or the money to own and shoot them all.

On this point we agree. So many fine shotguns, so little time or money. A love of fine shotguns is God's way of letting you know that you don't have enough of either.

 

[Claybuster]

That's it.... You and Manbearapig will both be on my ignore list.

I don't believe for a minute that MBP is on your ignore list.

 

[zywina]

My friends gunshop brings in 16 gauge Rio brand for us partrige hunters up here in the north and it is excellent quality and a real deal on price!It is well worth just ordering a case(10 boxes) as you get a break on the price, if your interested give me a PM here. I have been looking for a real nice LC smith in 85% + conditon field grade or Ideal grade, this maybe a great late season bird gun for me, but I have a real soft spot for SXS vintage shotguns!Dale in T-Bay

 

[Ahsan Ahmed]

I don't dismiss the 16 gauge and have hunted the uplands with a nice (borrowed) 16 Ugartechea. Should I find a nice 16 gauge, perhaps the Darne of my dreams at a fair price, I would snap it up in an instant. That said I don't think it's a gauge for someone who will be frustrated by having to make the additional effort required. I feel the same way about the 28 gauge even though I like it a great deal.


On this point we agree. So many fine shotguns, so little time or money. A love of fine shotguns is God's way of letting you know that you don't have enough of either.

Win/64 - you may wish to see this - CB finally admitting in public a desire to own a Darne and a 16ga at that!

As for fine guns, I have all the time but unfortunately not the money at my disposal .

 

[Ahsan Ahmed]

My friends gunshop brings in 16 gauge Rio brand for us partrige hunters up here in the north and it is excellent quality and a real deal on price!It is well worth just ordering a case(10 boxes) as you get a break on the price, if your interested give me a PM here. I have been looking for a real nice LC smith in 85% + conditon field grade or Ideal grade, this maybe a great late season bird gun for me, but I have a real soft spot for SXS vintage shotguns!Dale in T-Bay

Much appreciate if you could PM me an idea on price and/or the contact details of the gunshop. I use Rio for Trap and found those good albeit a bit dirty. Thanks,

 

[Claybuster]

Win/64 - you may wish to see this - CB finally admitting in public a desire to own a Darne and a 16ga at that!

My interest in the Darne isn't new. What I wouldn't do with a Darne or any other gun is turn one down simply because it was a 16 gauge. The 16 gauge isn't a deal breaker or a deal maker.