What about the 16 gauge?

The 16 ga is not dead in Cowboy Action shooting.
I shoot a 16 ga Winchester 97 and know others who do as well.
Have accumulated 10 win 97s in 16 ga because they don't make them anymore.
 
Thought I would revive this thread. Often we hear the argument that 16 's built on 12 ga frames defeat the purpose of "carries like a 20 and hits like a 12". Two of my favourite 16's are built on 12 gauge frames. ( in fact all of my 16's are on 12 bore frames) Here are some of the advantages of that situation. Minimal recoil and larger choice of 16 gauge guns to choose from. Yes the guns are heavier than a purpose built 16 on a small frame. If the only use you had for a 16 was upland bird shooting I would agree the 12 ga frame size is not ideal. BUT I use my 16's for everything including waterfowl from time to time. Pictured are my Express 16 gauge and my Mossberg 500 16 gauge. Both weigh about what the comparable model in 12 gauge does. Both have been customized to my needs. The Mossberg sports a Poly-Choke (not the Mossberg c lect choke) and has a barrel length of 24". The Express has been painted (for water fowling, factory synthetic stock) and has had a 23" Rem Choked barrel from a youth model fitted. Both of these guns carry great and work very well on ducks, grouse, rabbits or what ever you choose to shoot with them. The purpose of this post is to show just how versatile a 16 bore can be without having pay large amounts for custom doubles or stack barrels. These versions are in gun shops all across the country waiting to be put back to work after being retired too soon and not expensive to boot. I shoot everything from Steel shot factory loads to 1 oz. lead game loads to #1 buckshot loads with very good performance. If you are a pondering a 16 gauge go buy one you won't regret it. If you still ask "why not just get a 12 gauge?" you are in the wrong thread. (sorry for the pic quality)





regards, Darryl
 
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Good Stuff Darryl. Like the moss'y. Cannot say I have seen to many of those in 16ga down this way or have I ever owned or shot one
Very Nice indeed. Did manage to get a used 16ga express eventually to join the group here so know that one but yours is very cool done up
Cheers
 
That old Mossberg is the slickest pump gun I have ever owned. I kind of like the top tang safety too. The Express just kind of bumps you when you pull the trigger both are a lot of fun to hunt with. I have to agree 500's in 16 don't show up often but there are lots of models 12's,37's, 1148's and 870's around. The rarest I think is the Remington 1100 in 16 bore. I had one and I let it slip away to the east coast. Have not seen one since. Oh well keep on looking....

Darryl
 
krchov said:
16 gauge shells hard to get and very expensive. A 20 gauge would be a way better choice
Click to expand...

Canada Ammo has 16 G ammo at a reasonable price as well as a single shot 16 G Dominion Shotgun with 30"barrel. I recently purchased both together for $269.00 or thereabouts GST and shipping included.
 
Anyone familiar with the Marlin 90 DT 16 ga., I picked one up recently, mfg date 1952. Cheapish wood and the receiver is some alloy that rusts and is non blue able. Haven't shot it yet...
 
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