16 ga

RobP

RobP

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Anybody shoot 16ga? I've shot 99% 12 ga -- for grouse and ducks mostly (and it is my main deer gun too - in a shotgun only zone).

I see lots of cheap 16 gauges. Is there much ammo made for them any more? Are there loads suitable for ducks? Is the recoil that much less than a 2 3/4 12 ga round?

Thanks,
rob
 
I am not a waterfowl hunter. But all my upland and rabbit hunting are with a 16ga, I love the 16 lots of loads available(if you know where to look) The guns are usually lighter than 12's and are a pleasure to carry.
 
I agree with win/64. To be honest, I don't notice too much difference in the recoil department .... but usually walk approx. 10 miles a day for upland with a double and a few less pounds to carry makes you that much more effecient for the late afternoon shoot.
 
Our local Canadian Tire still has 16 ga on the shelf. As stated above because of the smaller frame it is a joy to carry for upland game. I use something else for waterfowl though, you could get the non toxic shot for the 16 for ducks but it is extra pricey. I know guys who use the 16 for grouse and pheasant but noone who hunts waterfowl with it. It is hard to beat cheap 12 ga steel if you do a lot of waterfowl hunting.
 
RobP said:
Just seems to much more cheaper 16ga. around rather than 20's...especially in Win model 12s.

rob
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I like my 16's in a sxs but if you can find cheap mod, 12's in 16 don't hesitate. Buy it.
 
Sweet 16

I ve had a model 12 in 16 ga for 30 yrs. Mine has taken its fair share of ducks and geese when we could use lead shot. Finding 16 gage shells in a useful load is the biggest problem Ive had with mine.
wyle1
 
16ga

I shoot 16 ga at trap,skeet,sporting clays,grouse,woodcock, ducks & geese.
I use Kent TM for waterfoul and am not handicaped with the 16. In fact in 50 years of shooting, I believe the 16, for some reason, out kills 12's -- also 7/8 & 1 oz loads at skeet & sc seem to break targets harder. I am not discounting 12's but If I can carry a lighter gun with little recoil & do the work of a 12 thats the way to go. I have 20 ga guns but on the whole dont care for them much. IMHO
Cheers
 
I've got an old ithaca sxs in 16 ga. If you don't handload I'd say go for the 20. The availibilty of 16 ga shells sometimes means you can't just run to the store and grab a box when you want or if they are there the may not be the right shot size. Other times when you can find them they are very expensive. Like Jeb the only place I could find shells for $10 a box, not $20, is canadian tire and they aren't alsways there. I moved to labrador about 8 months ago and have not seen a box under $16.99 since then because there is no canadian tire. If your heart is set on a 16 ga then by all means go for it but realize there are some drawbacks.
 
osborne said:
I've got an old ithaca sxs in 16 ga. If you don't handload I'd say go for the 20. The availibilty of 16 ga shells sometimes means you can't just run to the store and grab a box when you want or if they are there the may not be the right shot size. Other times when you can find them they are very expensive. Like Jeb the only place I could find shells for $10 a box, not $20, is canadian tire and they aren't alsways there. I moved to labrador about 8 months ago and have not seen a box under $16.99 since then because there is no canadian tire. If your heart is set on a 16 ga then by all means go for it but realize there are some drawbacks.
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It all depends on where you are. 16 ga. can be a little harder to find. But I've been to shops where they had a better selection of 16 than 20.Best thing to do is just order a flat of what you use most.
 
I shoot a Stevens 311 A sxs 16 gauge for grouse and Partridge. Used to use it for teal as well.

It's by far my Favorite shotgun ever.
It's by far the most successful (in getting birds) shotgun I have owned.

Canadian Tire sells 16 gauge all the time round here, even in steel.
 
I think it all boils down to what you believe about shot strings in shot guns!

All the old timers talk about the .28 gauge and the 16 guage as haveing shot patterns square like a flying postage stamp,which if true would make it harder for game or clays to sail through it unhit! I personally have no proof to back it up(but I believe it's true)!

Bob
 
Nothing compares to a 16ga in my opinion. I use my 70 year old hand-me-down M12 in 16ga for grouse, ducks and geese. Yeah, the ammo can be expensive, but I usually buy the steel on sale at CTire for about $14-16 a box which isn't too bad considering a decent box of 12ga (Nitro steel etc) runs a similar price. I generally open the goose season with my 12 and blast off a few boxes of Winchester Xpert ($9/box) to get back into the swing of things and thereafter stick to my 16. Can't beat the old square load!

And carrying my 16 all day in the upland is much easier than my semi 12, and more effective than my .410. Besides, if you use 16ga, chicks will dig you.
 
guido said:
If you already have a 12, why not go to a 20? Lighter yet and cheaper ammo.
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If you already have a 12 why not stick with the 12? If you need a lighter gun get a lighter 12.

I never saw the magic in the 16 gauge. More nostalgia than fact IMHO.

And as for handloading if you think finding 16 gauge ammo is tough. Just try finding a loader and components in 16 gauge.

I do confess to splitting the difference though. When I ordered my one and only custom sxs (so far) I ordered a 12 gauge on a 16 gauge frame. The gun is so slender most people mistake it for a 20.:dancingbanana:
 
What Claybuster says is true my A5 light twelve is noticably lighter than my friends 1100 20 guage! We even had to weight them both for him to believe it!

Bob
 
My very first shotgun was a 28 single shot Cooey my father bought me for my 14th birthday, still got it, still use it. I've also got a couple of 20's I use on the occassion, but I must say, my old 16 guage single shot Remington, has to be my favorite. It just fit's me. I can carry it all day, shoot what I would consider to be OK (many more birds drop than fly away), and normally reload it fast enough for a second shot if I come across more than one bird. My old 16 guage single will always be one of my favorite upland bird guns. I normally find my ammo at small local shops, around $7-10 per box.
Rimac
 
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RobP said:
Just seems to much more cheaper 16ga. around rather than 20's...especially in Win model 12s.

rob
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The 16 ga. Model 12 is built on the same frame as the 20 ga and the 28 ga.
The 16 ga had fallen out of favour a few years ago, but has recently enjoyed quite a come back, especially in the model 12. At the present time the 16 ga Model 12 is worth a premium over both the 12 ga and the 20 ga. I own quite a few model 12's and the 16 ga is a nice gun for upland hunting. I understand why they called it "Sweet 16". The Remington 870 brought the 16 ga back a couple of years ago because of the renewed interest. But Remington built it on the 12 ga frame. No purpose in that. So if you like The M12's, don't hesitate on a 16 ga, if the opportunity arises.
 
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