Affinity for the 16 gauge

[planetmobius]

After years of shooting and hunting, I've collected a rather impressive assortment of shotguns in all types of gauges. For some reason, whenever I grab one to take to the field, it always seems to be a 16 gauge. My favorite is my Browning A5 but I also have a Remington 48 and 11-48, a couple of pumps, a Winchester single shot and an old german drilling in 16 gauge. In recent years, this gauge does not seem to be very popular. Does anyone else share my affinity?

 

[JohnBT]

Funny you should ask. My uncle told me yesterday that he bought a new shotgun this week - a like new J. Stevens single barrel 16 ga. with a tenite stock. I haven't seen it, but he said it doesn't have a crack or chip on it.

He usually sticks to Wincester 37's, but said this one was too nice to pass up. And too inexpensive.

John

 

[ArmedBear]

It's not the gauge, it's the gun.

I have one 16 Gauge, and I like it. The 12 Gauge version of that gun is a slug, whereas the 16 handles really well.

That can most certainly be said about the A5, and probably the old Remingtons as well.

What's the third barrel of the drilling? Shotgun or rifle?

 

[Bigdtc]

I have an old pump I still use every year for squirrel, rabbit, and even dove. I shoot pretty well with hit so, I stick with what I know. I'm glad to be able to still get all kinds/ varieties of ammo for it.

 

[planetmobius]

The third barrel on the drilling is a rifle chambered for 9.3X72R

 

[moosehunt]

I have at least 1 shotgun in each of 10, 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410, more than 1 of several gauges. I have an 870 Wingmaster in 12, 16, 20, and .410 (looking for the right 28). I've noticed over the past several years that I grab the 16 at least as often as all the others combined. It just feels right, though I don't think I shoot it any better or worse than the others, just something about the 16. It used to be the 20 I'd grab (not counting for trap, that's obviously a 12 special gun), but since I got the 16 a few years ago, the 20 rests a lot more. Can't really say why, just seems to happen! Probably the worst gun mistake I ever made was getting rid of another 16--an LC Smith that shot sweet. Wish I had that decision to do over! It's been about 6 years and I couldn't replace it now for 4 times the money (and I didn't exactly give it away!). That's life I reckon.

 

[CZ223]

Sweet 16

I love the 16 guage. In a double, if it is built right, it is lighter and quicker handling than the 12. I have had 3 or 4 Winchester 97s in 16 guage and they can do most anything a 12 can.

 

[jojo200517]

Inherited my dads Remington 1100 in 16 gauge. Love to shoot it but don't like cleaning it and don't like the high price for shells. If i could buy 100 rd packs at wally world for 20 bucks like I do with the 12 gauge i'd shoot it more and probably get used to cleaning it.

 

[chas08]

I have two 16 ga. guns. A Model 12 and a Russian SxS. I enjoy both and would like to add an auto-loader to the collection sometime. My dream 16 is a Merkel 1620 SxS, but at over $4K I doubt that will happen. Nothing gives me the "warm and fuzzies" like taking a limit of ducks with that Model 12. It was my Grandfathers gauge of choice and his "only" shotgun.

 

[moosehunt]

The 16 gauge isn't any harder to load than any other gauge. Get a press and forget the store bought crap! You'll get much better shells a LOT cheaper.

 

[oneounceload]

If you're not aware, there is the 16 gauge society, a forum group dedicated to all things 16. You might want to check them out.....

http://www.16ga.com/

 

[RDCL]

I have an old 16 gauge Fox/Savage model B SxS double. I love it. Feels good n the hands. Not too heavy not too light....just perfect.

Russ

 

[PJR]

Ah....the 16 gauge. Sweet memories of my youth. The first shotgun I ever fired was a 16 gauge. It was in a gravel pit in Northern Ontario. I was a mere lad.

It was 40 years before I fired another and never missed not having the gauge. Still don't.

The 16 gauge is great for nostalgia. Same with the Auto 5.

I have no use for either.

 

[rbernie]

Hey! Don't be dissing' the Auto5 in a 16ga thread! You wanna poke at the Auto5, go start a new thread.

 

[planetmobius]

Oneounceload, thanks for the 16 gauge soiciety. Never knew they existed. I added it to my favorites and will cruise through it when I have time.

 

[mhblaw]

Have (had) two Browning Citori O/U's in 16 guage. One with straight grip (kept) and one with pisto grip (gave to grandson). Great shotguns and kill pheasants as dead as any other guage.

 

[avenan]

Hello, guys.
My first post in the forum.

Hi to all

I also have a fn auto-5 sweet 16.
How do you guys do for those with a chamber of 2-5/8? You convert the 2-/34 shell for the smaller?
Is it possible (or legal), with a lathe, modify the barrel to accept the 2-3/4 ammo?
I dont know where you live, but in my country 2-5/8 doesnt exist, so, to shoot it, i have to make ajustments on the ammo.
Thanks a lot

Avena

 

[Fred Fuller]

CDNN's current catalog has a CZ Bobwhite SxS in 16 gauge for $499.99 NIB... double triggers, case colored small frame receiver, English stock, splinter fore-end, 26" barrels, 2.75" chambers, fixed ImpCyl/Mod chokes, 6.6 pounds...

Tempting...

lpl

 

[TomADC]

I have a Winchester MDL 12 16 ga that I have a never shot this and never will, it belonged to my grandfather who used it a bunch.
Not my favorite gage I like 12 & 20 with a little 28 thrown in.

 

[craneman]

Wow, its like Deja Vu.....Just had the old model 12 16 gauge out tonight for a quick cleaning. My Dad gave it to me when I was 12 for pheasants and dove. Grandpa gave it to him for the same thing. Never thought much about it before, so I tried to search for a date of manufacture by serial number. They say somewhere in 1929 according to oldguns.com. I loved this old gun when I was a youngster. It was a hell of a shooter, handled exellent and the perfect size. Many GOOD hunting memories and thoughts of simpler times.

 

[Fiv3r]

I heard somewhere that the 16 gauge is arguably considered one of the best all around rounds for utility and self defense. It makes sense to me. In between a 12 and a 20 it sort of has that Baby Bear just-right oomph to it.

My grandfather has a SxS for home defense. He's a little guy, but that 16 gauge is pretty impressive. I've always steered away from the 16 due to shell cost. However, my dad picked me up a shotshell press for a song...so I guess maybe it's time to give the 16 a try

 

[MCgunner]

My uncle had a drilling in 16 over 8x57JR. I would occasionally borrow a certain M37 Ithaca Featherweight from him, SWEET shooting gun. He gave me a 16 gauge Iver Johnson single shot to hunt geese with. It was old and beat up when I got it and I had the ejector fixed and refinished the stocks, which after 40 years, could use it again. But, I never take that thing out of the safe. It's a 30" full choked gun with a LOT of drop at comb as old shotguns tend to have. Really don't have much use for it, but I have memories tied up in it and it ain't worth much, so I keep it.

For actual use, I live with 20 and 12 gauges just fine and the ammo is cheaper. I just got a 10 gauge and am reloading for it. It's a specialty gun for geese in these steel shot times.

 

[T.R.]

My favorite for squirrel, turkey, coyotes is a tightly choked old Iver Johnson. It's a standard break open single shot that shoots consistent patterns.
- low base #6 for squirrels
- high base #7.5 for turkey
- high base #1 buck for coyotes

16 gauge is a KEEPER!
TR

 

[dagger dog]

Many a school aged young boy was introduced to hunting by the 16ga. or the owner of such.The words sweet sixteen not only brought about visions of saddle oxfords, bobby sox and tight sweaters, but of Duxs Back hunting vests decorated with the shiny brass and red paper cartridges and a pair of baying beagles . Either image of 16 was enough to make a young mans heart throb. The Sweet 16 will never fade in some memories.

 

[Red Label]

Aveenan, welcome! you don't say where you are from but the 16ga shells that I get from Cabelas here in the states are made in Great Britain. I believe that the shorter shells are more common in europe.

My FAVORITE pheasant gun is a 16 ga Winchester M12 with the 2 9/16 chamber. Made in 1913 it is the oldest shotgun I have and looks it but still collects the pheasants every year. I use it but I don't want to have the chamber lengthened. I just make a 2 hr trip to Cabelas once in a while to get short shells for it