Love the 16? Then where are the shells?

[Grayrock]

For all you fans of the 16 from that other thread- give me the skinny- where do you get your shells? People have said buy in bulk, buy from internet, buy by the flat- But break it down for me. What is a flat? How much constiutes "BULK"? Which internet sites? Include shipping, tax (if applicable) and hazmat fee- what is your PER BOX cost after all those factors are accounted for?

TIAFYH

[The Deer Hunter]

Wal-Mart had some the other day.

[Loyalist Dave]

I buy ten or twenty boxes at a time from Sportsmansguide, at $5.01 a box plus shipping. The rest of the math I'm sure you can do yourself.

LD

[benatilstate]

It really depends how much you shoot. If you only shoot a little, it doesnt make sense to order it, too much shipping because of weight and hazardous cargo fees. Just go to the local sporting goods store - they should have some.

However, if you shoot a lot of clays, it may make sense to order as many as 50+ boxes if you find a load you like at a good price. The shipping will still add quite a bit to the good price though. May want to look into reloading - it doesnt take long to start saving money.

[Gordon]

You will have a hard time finding a clay special load in 16 as it is not a class. HOWEVER I use the 1 oz Fiocchi 16FT (Field and target) in 7.5 , they are sub sonic, although for clay games you can get 8s. For serious upland game loads, the best I've found in 16ga is the Fiocchi 1 1/8 oz of nickle plated 5s 16 GP (Golden Pheasant) load- those suckers are Da'Bomb!!!

[Grayrock]

Gordon: where do you find those shells and how much do they cost you per box?

benatilstate: no local sporting goods stores. Wal-Mart is closest to that and one other that specializes in team ball sports only.:mad:

Loyalist Dave- I can do the math, but you have to provide all the variables. Shipping fee? hazmat fee? Buyer's Club fee?:confused:

The Deer Hunter: I have checked the 2 nearest Wal-Marts and they only have 12 & 20 and a few boxes of .410 under the counter:(

[the naked prophet]

I get mine from Wal-Mart. Federal 1 1/8 oz #7 1/2 for clay games - it's also the cheapest 16 gauge ammo you can get, online or off.

[RNB65]

My local BIG GUN STORE here in Richmond (Green Top Sporting Goods) stocks a good supply of 16ga shells. $5.99 a box for 1oz #8 game loads.

[Gordon]

Well these guys for sure, get them from the nearest to you to save shipping. They will sell you a case.
http://www.fiocchiusa.com/Distributors.html

BTW TODAY I bid on a Western Arms (Ithaca) Long range SxS 16 (2 3/4" so it must be 1937 or later!) with IC and Modified 28" barrels, in 98% . I will know next week and proudly post pictures!

[DBR]

http://www.grafs.com/ammo/394

prices include shipping

[gezzer]

http://www.rstshells.com/contact.htm

[axeman_g]

I get those fiochi golden pheasants at BassPro, Dicks Sporting Goods or orderfrom Sportsmans Online, Natchez etc etc. Gordon is right, they are the best all around hunting shell in 16g!

[taralon]

I got 20 boxes of 16 in #6s for $4.25 at sportsmans warehouse a year ago. With as little as I've been shooting that's about ten years of shells.

[wolf_from_wv]

Kmart

[dh515]

Ballistic Products has some too.

http://shop2.mailordercentral.com/bpicart/products.asp?dept=204

[Wheeler44]

Do they have Big 5 stores in Texas?

[Grayrock]

OK- here are some results: This is per box of 25 in #7½ shot buying a flat of 10 boxes- (unless otherwise noted) INCLUDING shipping or tax.

RSTshells.com $9.50
Ballistic Products $9.08
Graf & Sons $7.38
Natchez $6.97
Sportsmans Guide$6.26
Trust me, Axeman G- you do NOT want to go to sportsmansonline.com :what:
Outdoor Marksman$5.19 (this is for #4 shot)
Local brick and mortar Academy had them for $5.94 after Gov. Perry gets his cut. I bought the last flat they had.

Anyone have anything cheaper?

[brockj]

How about for steel shot? Up here in MN, all public land you have to use steel shot. I just bought my wife a 16 gauge for her to start with (she had concerns about shooting a 12 gauge). I am local to Sportsman Guide, but am not seeing anything...

[axeman_g]

Steel only on all public lands????? Is that for upland also? I know NAtchez has Steel shot for 16g. I just dont pay attention, because I cant shoot steel in any of my guns.

[brockj]

Yeah, most the land up here is Waterfowl Production areas, and they require steel, no excuses. But, I just realized my gun will not be able to shoot steel as it was made in the late 40's....now I am really upset!

[ArmedBear]

There is some non-toxic shot that will work in pre-steel guns. It will cost you, though.

[gunut]

bismuth if you can find it at about 22/23 a box of 10.............geeeeeeeeeez............glad I dont shoot a lot

[ArmedBear]

There's some polymer stuff that is better for lead barrels, AFAIK.

However, if someone is interested in easy ammo availability and reasonable price, then he wouldn't buy a 16, right?

[okiewita40]

Seen some 16 ga stuff at wally world a week or so ago. It was priced right around $11 for 25 rounds. the 12 ga stuff was arouns $6-7 a baox of 25/

[brockj]

Well I have found some ammo, but with the inability to shoot steel out of my barrel (even though it is a modified choke), I think this gun will be relegated to the occasional hunt, or may have to be sold off, too bad too, a nice looking sportsman model 48...

I had always had an interest in 16 gauge, to me it is an ideal pheasant load. Like I said, could always hold on to it for the few times I get to hunt private land.

[35Rem]

brockj
how often are you going to shoot steel shot? There are softer non-toxic loads that should be fine for that Remington. They are more expensive than steel, but if you don't burn a 100 every day, it's worth being able to shoot your classic.

[Rem-brent-browning]

Grayrock, I buy the Federal 1 oz Game Loads you mentioned at Academy at many Dallas, Grapevine, N Richland Hills, and Lewisville. #7 1/2 are great, $5.49 per box. I have purchased 1 oz Rios at Euless Gun Shop at $6.25 a box , but that was a while back. I also shoot the Rem game loads, when I can find them in #7 1/2 for $6.99, at Cabelas in Ft Worth.

I also reload when possible, which does save some money.Why don't you try your hand at reloading for the 16 bore? It's really quite fun and easy to do. You also have a ton of recipies if you join the 16ga.com reloading group.;)

[dh515]

B&P appears to be another great source for the 16.

https://www.bandpusa.com

Do a search for 16 gauge on the left side of the page.

These are high quality shells and the prices include delivery. For the quality of this ammo, delivered to your door, $6.38 a box seems like a deal. I don't have a 16, but use B&P ammo in 28, 20, and 12. Usually takes about a week to get it. Not affiliated in any way....

[BigG]

I think they are next to the .41 Magnums and 10mm Auto. :uhoh:

[ArmedBear]

$6.38 a box seems like a deal

Even at today's component prices, you can load 'em for a lot less.

Like a .41 Magnum, but more so... If you buy a 16 Gauge, you should put in an order for a reloading setup at the same time.

The problem with the 16 is that it doesn't do anything that can't be done with a 12, and it isn't usually used for anything that can't be done with a 20. It was popular back when guns were heavier and there was a good deal less variety in shell selection.

There's nothing in the world inherently wrong with 16 Gauge. However, technology and the marketplace have turned it into a round for those who are willing to do what it takes to shoot it, though, not just people who want to casually have fun with a shotgun.

[35Rem]

The problem with the 16 is that it doesn't do anything that can't be done with a 12, and it isn't usually used for anything that can't be done with a 20.

mmmmm...beg to differ. The 16 fits very nicely in a smaller than 12 gauge frame = lighter gun and still delivers the 1 to 1 1/4 oz loads. More shot than a 20. The 16 gauge guys know.

What has screwed up the 16, and others have mentioned it, is gunmakers started building them on 12 ga platforms and completely lost the best part of the 16.

[ArmedBear]

12 Gauge guns are lighter now than they were in the 16's heyday.

Compare a 391 in 12 to an A5 in 16, for example.

And if you want really light, you can get something like a Citori Feather, 6 1/4 lb. in 12 Gauge, and it doesn't need special ammo.

20 Gauge 1 oz. loads are commonplace, while 1 1/4 oz. loads pattern better in a 12.

Again, I never said there was anything wrong with the 16. I said, in fact, this:
There's nothing in the world inherently wrong with 16 Gauge. However, technology and the marketplace have turned it into a round for those who are willing to do what it takes to shoot it, though, not just people who want to casually have fun with a shotgun.

[gunut]

The B&P shells are more like $8 a box....the flat they sell is only 8 boxes...I tried to order some 16ga last week and they were out of stock for all shot sizes....non due in for 4-6 weeks and they expect a price increase B4 then....