Oh I am well aware. I think you and I are kindred spirits...and have similar friends LOL
I also frequently use a 16ga model 12. It can be true they don’t like long hulls like federals, but that gun is such a great carry and a pheasant killer!
New 16ga pump?
- Thread starter hank2
- Start date
I also frequently use a 16ga model 12. It can be true they don’t like long hulls like federals, but that gun is such a great carry and a pheasant killer!
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Dilly, try the Gamebore Traditional upland loads in your M12. They are 65MM hulls, about 2-1/2" and are made to measure for older guns that like shorter shells. The Traditional loads fiber wads works well in old guns short forcing cones too.
I’m all over those shells. I find the British 7s work well. I am also a huge fan of those RST shells out of the US. Their “lite” 2.5 in 1oz of #6 is murder on pheasant around here. I use them lots in my short chambered nimrod SxS.
The only hulls that sometimes stovepipe in my model 12 are federals which tend to a bit long. It’s worse when they are reloads (in my experience).
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
I did some measuring and Aguila 16 gauge hulls made in Mexico at the old Remington plant are the shortest of all. They were actually shorter than some Rottweil 2 1/2" cases I special ordered. To top it off Aguila shells run great in my model 12 and are very clean burning. I bought the Alto Velocidad (high velocity version) at my LGS. They are marked 2 3/4".
Darryl
Darryl
I own an 870 and a 1897 in 16, and I've owned a few others as well. As a farmyard or homestead shotgun, it will do the job.
But, IMHO, the 12 gauge is a better choice. The price and availability of suitable ammunition is the main reason. I've pretty much lived in a rural setting for my whole life, and a Remington Wingmaster with a 28" barrel and full choke is my yard gun. A plain barreled 2 3/4" chambered old school pump.
The only downside to this combo is that it pretty much relies on a supply of lead shot shotshells. 7 1/2 shot isn't an issue, tons of target shells for that. 7 1/2 shot is good for small vermin. Large vermin are best dealt with a load of #2 or #4. Finding #2 shotshells in lead is a bit of a quest, but the good thing is you do not need a lot of them. A case of 7 1/2 will last me 2 years, and a box of #2 is good for several. Add in a box of slugs, which last me years and you are golden. If you are in coyote country, some buckshot may be in order.
I have hunting shotguns, but for yard work, the 870 gets the nod. For one, it will get a bit beat up, the other is that a 2 3/4 plain barrels shotgun is a bit lighter. A 16 ga will do all those jobs, but buying or even reloading ammo for it are a big detractor IMHO.
It is a shame, the 16 ga is a fine shotgun.
But, IMHO, the 12 gauge is a better choice. The price and availability of suitable ammunition is the main reason. I've pretty much lived in a rural setting for my whole life, and a Remington Wingmaster with a 28" barrel and full choke is my yard gun. A plain barreled 2 3/4" chambered old school pump.
The only downside to this combo is that it pretty much relies on a supply of lead shot shotshells. 7 1/2 shot isn't an issue, tons of target shells for that. 7 1/2 shot is good for small vermin. Large vermin are best dealt with a load of #2 or #4. Finding #2 shotshells in lead is a bit of a quest, but the good thing is you do not need a lot of them. A case of 7 1/2 will last me 2 years, and a box of #2 is good for several. Add in a box of slugs, which last me years and you are golden. If you are in coyote country, some buckshot may be in order.
I have hunting shotguns, but for yard work, the 870 gets the nod. For one, it will get a bit beat up, the other is that a 2 3/4 plain barrels shotgun is a bit lighter. A 16 ga will do all those jobs, but buying or even reloading ammo for it are a big detractor IMHO.
It is a shame, the 16 ga is a fine shotgun.
FWIW, my go to 16 gauge is a early 2000's youth model 870 express with a 23" barrel and extended remchokes. I bought it for the short barrel to use with chokes as my turkey gun and then put on 1070's era wingmaster wood. Great gun and no regrets after removing the stupid J-lock assembly.
If I could locate a similar vintage wingmaster (they made the same gun in a wingmaster with a longer barrel and a much nicer finish), I would buy it. Unfortunately, I bought mine at the end of Remington's brief production run of modern era 16's and couldn't find a wingmaster version at the time
Don't listen to people telling you to buy a 12. You likely already have one (or more) 12's anyhow. The 16 fills a nice void between the 20 and 12 for me, I consider a 16 with No.4 shot to be the perfect instrument for long-range rabbit and grouse, and any largish sports store has shells. I even got set up to reload for it and make steel and bismuth loads for occasional waterfowl use No regrets.
If I could locate a similar vintage wingmaster (they made the same gun in a wingmaster with a longer barrel and a much nicer finish), I would buy it. Unfortunately, I bought mine at the end of Remington's brief production run of modern era 16's and couldn't find a wingmaster version at the time
Don't listen to people telling you to buy a 12. You likely already have one (or more) 12's anyhow. The 16 fills a nice void between the 20 and 12 for me, I consider a 16 with No.4 shot to be the perfect instrument for long-range rabbit and grouse, and any largish sports store has shells. I even got set up to reload for it and make steel and bismuth loads for occasional waterfowl use
No regrets.Mossberg did a run of 16g 500s.
My uncle bought a 16 g and a 12g for each of his kids probably 45 or more years ago.
I have shot deer and rabbits with that 16g model 500.
Very cool well handled gun.
