What about the 16 gauge?

16 gauge is far from dead. . . shells are easy to get a hold of . . Canadian Tire, Wholesale Sports, Cabellas, Walmart on a good day. .

The problem with so many 16 ga. shotguns is they're built on a 12 ga frame. . No advantage with lugging around these clunkers all day long. . BUT . . if you get a hold of one built on a 20 ga frame you have a winner because they carry like a 20 ga but shoot like a 12 ga.

Where are these 16 ga shotguns built on 20 ga frames you ask. . .You won't be finding them with Remington or the other outfits. . Pre-64 Winchester Model 12's . . The 16 gauge pre-64 Model 12 is built on the same small frame as their 20 ga and their 28 ga. . . You can carry these 16 ga M12's around all day long on uplands hunts. . They come up quick on target and are a joy to hunt with. . Find yourself a pre-war one and that'll be your go-to shotgun for upland hunting. . I have 16 ga M12 from 1937, solid rib, modified choke. . what a little sweetheart it is. . Yes I have M12, 20 gauges as well, but the 16 ga is my first pick for upland birds.
 
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There is a lot of merit to having the 16 ga built on a 16 ga proportioned frame. The reality is that 16's built on a dedicated frame are few. A 16 on a larger (12 ga) frame is not a bad thing. Most weigh about 7 1/2 pounds. Recoil is virtually nullified. To say I might as well have a 12 on a 12 frame as a 16 on a 12 frame makes little sense to me as the interest is the gauge not the frame size. If a 12 can replace your interest in a 16 that easily then you are not a true 16 gauge fan. I own a Remington Express 16 and a Mossberg 500 16 both on 12 ga frames. Both handle great, both weigh about 7 1/2 pounds both are super reliable and both offer very low recoil. Yes they carry and handle like a 12 on that frame but then if you went to the 12 because of that you would just have two very common 12 gauges. I feel the 16's greatest attribute is the cartridge not the particular gun it is chambered in. It is strange ( if the same logic is applied) as lots of 28's and .410's are on 20 bore frames with no complaints from the owners.

Darryl
 
I like all gauges and pick a gun on whether or not Ii can carry it in the field comfortably and bring it to bear of a flushing bird quickly and accurately, and tom build a smaller gauge on a larger frame makes no sense to me unless it's a target gun .
I like sub gauges for that very reason and prefer small framed shotguns.
I can throw a 1oz charge of shot and still make it shoot comfortably out of my 5 1/2 pound 16 with no issues, so unless the gun is a black powder cartridge or a muzzle loader in 12 I don't want it.
16's are fun, but only if i don't have to lug them around, same as a 28 on a 20 frame- no thanks.
Cat
 
catnthehatt said:
I like all gauges and pick a gun on whether or not Ii can carry it in the field comfortably and bring it to bear of a flushing bird quickly and accurately, and tom build a smaller gauge on a larger frame makes no sense to me unless it's a target gun .
I like sub gauges for that very reason and prefer small framed shotguns.
I can throw a 1oz charge of shot and still make it shoot comfortably out of my 5 1/2 pound 16 with no issues, so unless the gun is a black powder cartridge or a muzzle loader in 12 I don't want it.
16's are fun, but only if i don't have to lug them around, same as a 28 on a 20 frame- no thanks.
Cat
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How the heck do you shoot a 5 1/2 pound gun. 6 1/2 to 7 minimum for me. And with long barrels at that weight.
 
Westward1 said:
How the heck do you shoot a 5 1/2 pound gun. 6 1/2 to 7 minimum for me. And with long barrels at that weight.
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light charges, I don't need top shoot 1 1/8 oz of shot at 1300FPS to kill a wild pheasant or a sharptail over a pointer no matter what some experts say- as long as it fits me, mind you!

Cat
 
catnthehatt said:
light charges, I don't need top shoot 1 1/8 oz of shot at 1300FPS to kill a wild pheasant or a sharptail over a pointer no matter what some experts say- as long as it fits me, mind you!

Cat
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Amen! I have a 5 pound 12 gauge J & W Tolley single barrel game gun circa 1905. A joy to carry and with 1 oz loads or less, easy to shoot. Just have to make sure the bird goes down on the first shot! LOL
 
Pointing breeds do allow for some close and dignified shooting. I need a little more punch when my lab gets out ahead on a running rooster. Still the 16 bore is up to the task with 1 1/8oz lead sixes or #4 steel.

Darryl
 
I do have one load that I use for trap with 1 oz of shot and 800X that is comfortable for me to shoot even with my lightweight
FAIR Anniversaire 16, IIRC it runs about 1180FPS
Cat
 
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It is probably the finest upland gun. It is on a 20 frame usually with more jam. Shells are available, I have lots and had no trouble getting them here and there. I've got an old Beretta SXS that I love. As for cost, how many shells do you shoot at upland? A 12 is better for migratory.IMHO
 
I love the 16ga. I have 3 beautiful sxs doubles. One is an older Beretta, one is a Libero Dofinni hammergun, and a very pretty Belgian gun. I wouldn't part with any of them. A 16ga double is a joy to carry in the field, and absolutely lethal on upland birds. If you want one, just go ahead and buy one and enjoy it. If you intend to shoot it any amount, then get yourself back into reloading. You can reload shells for about 6 or 7 bucks a box. There are lots of good used loaders around these days, and one can often be had for a very reasonable price. In the last couple years, I picked up 2 Mec Junior loaders, one for $55, and the other for $25. Go for it, and have some fun.
 
catnthehatt said:
light charges, I don't need top shoot 1 1/8 oz of shot at 1300FPS to kill a wild pheasant or a sharptail over a pointer no matter what some experts say- as long as it fits me, mind you!

Cat
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I prefer light loads myself. I am talking about light guns. I prefer a little weight and barrel length when it comes to shooting targets or birds.
 
Lets keep this talk moving. Anyone use the 16 bore for big game? My dad "borrowed" an Ithaca 37 16 bore I had scoped years ago and killed two deer with it. One was at 165 yards! When I asked him how he did it he said "the deer didn't move on the first shot so I aimed higher" the round was a 16 gauge Federal slug. I killed a decent black bear over bait with a Browning Auto 5 in 16 gauge and #1 Remington Buckshot. Taxidermist wanted to know what I shot him with because he was tired of stitching holes....

Darryl
 
I haven't yet but I keep several slugs with me when hunting with my newer O/U in case I run into a coyote with he dogs.
when using the vintage guns I have some #2
Cat
 
Just ask what it takes to kill a wild pheasant and they will appear!
likely the same people that say you shouldn't shoot geese with a 20 gaugeLOL
Cat
 
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A somewhat knowledgeable American shotgun expert, Randy Wakeman believes that 1 1 /4 oz buffered loads in the 20 are needed to kill pheasant. You have to remember that some of the American lads feel that bigger, faster is better.

Darryl
 
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