16 ga
- Thread starter RobP
- Start date
I bought the same shotgun several years ago for $40, the shop just wanted it gone as it had been there for 4 years with no intrest.TheFonz said:
The first time I had it in the woods, we just walked inside the treeline when the dog put up 5 birds and I bagged a double with that 16. Thought it was a good omen and it has been my bird gun ever since.
Nope. Comparatively hard to find gauge, not as many options when shells are found and forget about reloading unless you want to special order components and equipment.Win/64 said:
The only reason I own a gun with a 16 gauge frame is because I could. If the option hadn't been available I'd have gotten a 12 gauge frame. I could have gotten a 12 on a 20 gauge frame but didn't like the look and that would have resulted in a gun that is too light.
I am not one of those people who gets all misty-eyed over the 16 gauge. While there's nothing wrong with it there isn't anything it can do that can't be done equally well if not better with a 12 or 3" 20. If you have one of either a 16 gauge is just overlapping what you already have.
BTW, I don't buy the square load theory. The same is said about the 28 gauge and while it's probably my favourite shotgun gauge there's nothing magical about it either.
I have had lots of 12 ga guns some very high quality. But none of them pointed as well as my 16's. There is just something about them. When I use the 16 on clays it just seems to hit harder than a 12. The clays seem to powder instead of just breaking up. "The magic of the 16".
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Win/64 said:
A Flat? If your shooting any clay, a time or two to the range will make quick work of that flat
Reloading? 16 gauge wads are as rare as chicken teeth Sure there are steel 16 gauge loads available, but all except the most modern guns are not choked for it The best reason for the 16 is just because you want it. If it is a 16 you must have, the model 12 is probably the best buy, followed by the Browning sweet 16, and any of the classic American doubles. Most of the rest are just 16s on 12 frames or ..... I could go on. If its a 16 you must have, go for it, I know the feeling If its lighter you want, try a light 12 with 7/8 oz of hard shot.The 16 remains very popular in Continental Europe. I've always thought the best gun for the 16 was the Darne. The gun is French and the design is odd. Buying one in 16 gauge would permit the owner to truly get in touch with his inner cheese eating surrender monkey.Win/64 said:
Yes, the 16 ga, for a time, was called the "The Rodney Dangerfield" of shotguns because it got no respect. No more. Shotgunners have pulled their heads out of the sand. The sixteen gauge is back. Maybe not Big Time, but it is back. I think that's why we are starting to see more 16 ga ammo around. For a time, in the early 90's, the USA had the best selection. Now Can. Tire carries it. I'll still use the 12 ga more often, but the 16 ga will be used also.
You haven't listened to a Darne thing I've said.Claybuster said:The 16 remains very popular in Continental Europe. I've always thought the best gun for the 16 was the Darne. The gun is French and the design is odd. Buying one in 16 gauge would permit the owner to truly get in touch with his inner cheese eating surrender monkey.
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I've always been intrigued by the Darne. But would be worried that owning one especially in 16 gauge would cause me to start wearing a beret, smoking Gaulouise, attending foreign films and thinking that Jerry Lewis might actually be funny.Win/64 said:You haven't listened to a Darne thing I've said.
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The 16 ga was popular when I lived in England, before they changed the laws to this:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1997/1997005.htm
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1997/1997005.htm
