What about the 16 gauge?

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icedog

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I frequently consider the purchase of a 16 gauge upland gun, which might at times also see a bit of use for waterfowl ... thinking that a modified or improved cylinder, in appropriate situations, might be suitable for both uses. I am sufficiently outfitted with shotguns already, but do not have, nor have I ever owned a 16, so there is a touch of the "cool" factor at play here for me, as well as a bit of nostaglia for what appears to be dying gauge. One of the things holding me back is the question of the availability commercial 16 gauge ammunition. I used to reload shotshells, but disposed of my gear many years ago ... don't really shoot enough to justify gearing up again.

So, fans of the 16, school me a bit ... versatility of the 16 ... appropriate choke ... availability of ammo ... whatever else ought to be considered.
 
Canadian Tire stock Federal's good lead game load in 16 bore. The price is about 11.00 a box. Not cheap but certainly affordable. As for water fowl (no tox) Federal loads steel in #2 and #4 shot sizes. I have used these loads to good effect out to about 40 yards. These loads come dear at 25.00 a box BUT most 12 gauge steel loads will run 18.00 to 28.00 bucks. These loads will do just what they are meant for and in typical 16 gauge fashion. I always watch for case lots of 16 ammo and I have found a lot around the country where a case purchase offers savings. Remember you look like you will be hunting not target shooting with this gauge. The volume of shots fired hunting vs. target shooting is very low. I hear the same old "ammo is hard to find and very expensive" argument or comment in every "how good is the 16" thread. In my experience those claims are just not true.

Darryl
 
madtrapper143 said:
Canadian Tire stock Federal's good lead game load in 16 bore. The price is about 11.00 a box. Not cheap but certainly affordable. As for water fowl (no tox) Federal loads steel in #2 and #4 shot sizes. I have used these loads to good effect out to about 40 yards. These loads come dear at 25.00 a box BUT most 12 gauge steel loads will run 18.00 to 28.00 bucks. These loads will do just what they are meant for and in typical 16 gauge fashion. I always watch for case lots of 16 ammo and I have found a lot around the country where a case purchase offers savings. Remember you look like you will be hunting not target shooting with this gauge. The volume of shots fired hunting vs. target shooting is very low. I hear the same old "ammo is hard to find and very expensive" argument or comment in every "how good is the 16" thread. In my experience those claims are just not true.

Darryl
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I second that. Remington also has 16ga steel in #2 and #4 as well Kent. Lots of 16ga ammo out their so all you who say it is expensive and hard to find, just keep thinking that. The 16 is a great bird gun. Browning is building them in the over/under with choke tubes as well as the BPS.
 
Mount Sweetness said:
Kid at the gunshop told me 16ga was dead............
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Browning catalog
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/finder.asp?f2=16+Ga &f1=008B&f4=&f3=&msrp=


Citori Gran Lightning 16 Gauge
Citori Gran Lightning 16 Gauge
16 Gauge 2 3/4" chamber, lightning style Grade V/VI satin finish walnut stock, high polish blued barrel and high relief engraved receiver, white front bead

BPS

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/finder.asp?f2=16+Ga &f1=011B&f4=&f3=&msrp=


Citori White Lightning
Citori White Lightning
Silver nitride finish steel receiver with high-relief engraving, polished blued barrels, oil finish grade II/III walnut, standard Invector choke tubes.
 
I'm always curios about the 16 or even a 410. i kinda want one to do a little dove hunting and small bird, and I'm a little worried using my 20 because it may obliterate the bird.
 
I currently own a Citori Superlight Feather. Bought some Trulock's..... Never looked back since. Handles goose, pheasants, rabbit, etc with ease. All though, I prefer not to use it goose hunting in the blind. A good supply of game loads, steel, buck loads are available in and around Calgary.
>>>>>>>Heads up to the owners of the Browning Citori 16ga's. Muller Chokes has finally listed some Featherlite chokes on their site. This round of choke production will be able to accommodate both barrels at once! Ü0 to Ü4<<<<<<<<<<
 
trebor2880 said:
Gotta admit, though, it is dying.
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They said that 20 years ago too.

My grandfather was a huge fan of the sweet 16. A little more power over the 20 (at the time) and not overkill (as he thought of the 12). Or as he would say, not too big, not too small. Of course a great handling gun helps. I still have (and will have to my dying day) his Ithaca 37 featherweight. Absolutely fantastic handling little pump. Flips to the shoulder even for a smaller statured shooter and points like a dream. Game just kind of rolls over and gives up in front of it. Ammo is available, and while you can't find flats of it for $7 a box, it's not really the kind of thing you head out to the range and bang off a 100-200 rounds with. Fantastic little game getter. Everyone should have one.
 
16 gauge has made a bit of a comeback. As far as price of shells compared to 12 gauge, how many shells are you going to go through while upland hunting? Not enough to stop me from buying one if I was in the market.
The proper, well fitting 16 gauge gun, coupled with the proper load, can be a great upland gun.
 
trebor2880 said:
Gotta admit, though, it is dying.
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I guess. They said that since 1926 when they eliminated it from the skeet game and it is still kicking out shells in 2015
If anything it has been making a come back in the past 10 years and we have seen more and more makes and models being made again and shells on the shelves again. More guys hunting with them again also which is nice to see
Those who want to shoot a 16ga will have no problem finding a good one and shells for it just have to look a bit harder pending where you live. If you reload shotgun it is a non issue
Think I have a dozen plus or so in my collection and love them all. A 16 some old imperials and a good Brit in the fall Priceless
Cheers
 
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28 ga was dying also, still not the popularity of 12 and 20 but a big come back in the last 10 years.

16 ga is the sickest of the major gauges, but endangered, not dead. Lots of old family pieces with nostalgia that i would not want to be shooting steel through. I would take my 28 for upland hunting as i dont like grouse burger.

Dont know that i would purposely chase a 16, but if a deal on a old A5 or 16 double came my way it would be fun.
 
nowarningshot said:
28 ga was dying also, still not the popularity of 12 and 20 but a big come back in the last 10 years.

16 ga is the sickest of the major gauges, but endangered, not dead. Lots of old family pieces with nostalgia that i would not want to be shooting steel through. I would take my 28 for upland hunting as i dont like grouse burger.

Dont know that i would purposely chase a 16, but if a deal on a old A5 or 16 double came my way it would be fun.
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28ga was dying???? Guess it would depend on where one looks Not on any skeet field I have ever seen and see a lot of those in that sport alone. In fact many guys are just shooting the 28ga for skeet I find now
But agree seeing more and more in hunters hands in the past 10 years
Cheers
 
If it's a dying gauge, someone forgot to tell me. I have seven of them and will buy more when the right ones show up.

The idea that shells are too expensive (for upland hunting) when one considers all the other money that gets spent over the course of a season, in licences, gear, travel, etc. is goofy. It's a minor percentage.

The 16 has really suffered not because of not being selected as a skeet gauge but because, in the interests of manufacturing efficiencies, American makers started making 16s on 12 frames, negating the weight and handling advantages. Properly done, they are weight of a 20 and the oomph of a 12.

I have shot everything from woodcock to turkey with a 16 and never felt under or over gunned.

But on the other hand, you don't want one. This interest in the gauge just drives the prices up! Lol
 
nowarningshot said:
16 ga is the sickest of the major gauges, but endangered, not dead. Lots of old family pieces with nostalgia that i would not want to be shooting steel through. I would take my 28 for upland hunting as i dont like grouse burger.
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Not saying anything wrong with a 28 but as far as grouse burger goes, I just vary the load. Depending on what I'm hunting. Never had a problem.
 
I seek out the older vintage pumps and semis. They are around in most places for about 250.00 to 350.00 for a real good one. Ithaca 37's, Winchester Model 12's, Remington 870's and Remington Models 11 and 11 48's. Not to mention the Mossberg 500 (rare but around) and Stevens 311's. Most of these guns will be choked FULL. I have left out the Browning Sweet 16 Auto 5 because they are not usually priced in the noted price range. You can have the barrels shortened, chokes added including the famous Poly Choke or like my latest grouse/woodcock/rabbit decoy duck gun an 1148 shortened to 25" and cylinder bore. If in doubt about this combo most would be impressed how it patterns 1oz or 1 1/8oz lead 6's, 71/2's and 8's at 30 yards. Steel Federals through this barrel will clean ducks out to 30 yards with no issue. These guns were built for hard service and any gunsmith can get one running again if in the rare occasion it goes off side. The 16 gauge can be available for the hunter on a budget without having to purchase expensive new models or imports. Before anyone mentions that altering these old guns will affect the resale value remember they had very little to begin with.

Darryl
 
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