What about the 16 gauge?

I have shot at least 3 deer in my younger days with my 16ga wingmaster and imperial slugs. Dropped where they stood. Mind you I was always 10-25 yards also. If it hits them it can make a hell of a hole
Cheers
 
madtrapper143 said:
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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While I have read lots of Wakeman's writing, this then the begs the question.....What's better? The pattern? The recoil? The kill? The carry? The hunt? The experience?
 
Both of my "working" 16's are on 16 frames.

Remington 11 Sportsman with 24" CYL bore
7E4D8F6F-42A7-4DB3-B770-A22ED2AE9750_zpsrlo1c5f4.jpg


Ithaca 37 with 26" Poly-Choke (usually set to IMP CYL)
D45DB954-1DFB-4996-9001-5DF0B124302A_zpsjlzajpxq.jpg


I figure if I can't do it with a 1oz of lead #6 in the uplands...I probably shouldn't be doing it. (Should note I mainly hunt grouse and woodcock, never even seen a pheasant)

Both also handle factory Federal and my handloaded steel quite well.

Cory
 
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madtrapper143 said:
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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Yeah, according to Mr. Wakeman there are so many of us doing things "wrong" I'm surprised that we can put any kind of bird into a game bag these days, but he is not the only one!
Cat
 
I think Quigley said it best. "I never said I didn't know how to use one, I said I never had much use for one." I know it applied to pistols, but same logic. Not something I would go out and buy when I already have a 12 and 20 in the safe.
 
I remember a kind gentleman from years ago who opened my eyes to the 16. Our family was full of shotguns in fact rifles were rarely used. My uncle had a Winchester 94 in .30 WCF but no one else owned a rifle bigger than a .22. Of course all of these shotguns (the best of which being plain jane models 12 Winchesters and Ithaca models 37 were all 12 bores). In early September when I was about 13 (a very long time ago) this man heard me speaking of the upcoming grouse rabbit season. Within a day or two of the opener he came to the house for coffee and presented me with a Stevens 311 and a doubled Wonder bread bag full of Imperial #5 16 bore cartridges. The gun was a loan and all he asked was for the pick of the litter of a female beagle we owned that was going to have pups. I found later my dad and him had made the deal. None the less I used that gun until all shells were expended. I did not kill much but that gun and those shells from very long ago made me the 16 gauge romantic I am today. This is the stuff that I feel makes some of us choose the 16 over others.

Darryl
 
I have an old CIL single shot that I take with me every time I head out the door hunting in the fall. I dont hunt waterfowl, but it is has taken more small game than any other gun I own. I dont find it that hard to find shells for, however I havent really looked for heavier loads for waterfowl. It has served me well.
 
While dealing with my fathers estate, I was going through my father's old ammo cabinet, and came across two boxes of 16 gauge shot shells. When I passed through Lloydminster I stopped in at Prophet River, and I shouldered a couple of 16 gauge Citori shotguns. I was tempted, but I stayed strong, and was able to walk out of the store without either one. Tonight I gave the shells to a fellow shooter that I have known many years, and I am sure that he will put them to good use.
 
stubblejumper said:
While dealing with my fathers estate, I was going through my father's old ammo cabinet, and came across two boxes of 16 gauge shot shells. When I passed through Lloydminster I stopped in at Prophet River, and I shouldered a couple of 16 gauge Citori shotguns. I was tempted, but I stayed strong, and was able to walk out of the store without either one. Tonight I gave the shells to a fellow shooter that I have known many years, and I am sure that he will put them to good use.
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Is that strong??? Not to me ;) They are a sweet gun and I tried to get one when they first came out but could not find one. Now that they are available again I have university bills to pay ;( for the daughter so extra gun cash has been scarce in the past two years. Some day I hope to add one to the 16ga collection
Cheers
 
stubblejumper said:
While dealing with my fathers estate, I was going through my father's old ammo cabinet, and came across two boxes of 16 gauge shot shells. When I passed through Lloydminster I stopped in at Prophet River, and I shouldered a couple of 16 gauge Citori shotguns. I was tempted, but I stayed strong, and was able to walk out of the store without either one. Tonight I gave the shells to a fellow shooter that I have known many years, and I am sure that he will put them to good use.
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Rest assured that if you had given in to the weakness you would by no means have been the first guy to buy a whole new gun just because he happened to find a couple boxes of shells.
 
stubblejumper said:
While dealing with my fathers estate, I was going through my father's old ammo cabinet, and came across two boxes of 16 gauge shot shells. When I passed through Lloydminster I stopped in at Prophet River, and I shouldered a couple of 16 gauge Citori shotguns. I was tempted, but I stayed strong, and was able to walk out of the store without either one. Tonight I gave the shells to a fellow shooter that I have known many years, and I am sure that he will put them to good use.
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And those shells are greatly appreciated!!
The Remington box is HUGE magnum stuff, 1 1/4oz of shot and 3 1/4 drams equivalent!!
Price on the Canucks was $2.95!
The Canucks are a bit more sensible of a load, for sure!
Only in 'Merica!!
Cat
 
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Cat that box of Express magnums says 3 1/2 drams not 3 1/4. I have the same vintage Remington loads in just Express and they are 3 1/4 drams. Even some older Federal Magnum #2 16 loads I have are only 3 1/4 drams. Looks like the makings for a ostrich hunt over pit bulls.

Darryl
 
Claybuster said:
Rest assured that if you had given in to the weakness you would by no means have been the first guy to buy a whole new gun just because he happened to find a couple boxes of shells.
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It helped that those particular guns had 26" barrels, and I really prefer longer barrels. Now I have to stop looking at the Browning Superposed American Pintail on the Prophet River Site. Luckily I never saw it in store, or it may have become a retirement present to myself.
 
madtrapper143 said:
Cat that box of Express magnums says 3 1/2 drams not 3 1/4. I have the same vintage Remington loads in just Express and they are 3 1/4 drams. Even some older Federal Magnum #2 16 loads I have are only 3 1/4 drams. Looks like the makings for a ostrich hunt over pit bulls.

Darryl
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Yup realized that after I took a closer look!
yup, ostriches or possibly pterodactyls!!
Cat
 
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