Any other 16 gauge fans out there?

[TrapperReady]

Aside from 12ga, I've got more 16ga guns than any other gauge. My main grouse gun is a beater 16ga Model 12. I also have an A5 (pre-Sweet-Sixteen) that gets used for pheasants a few times a year and an Ithaca 37 which serves as a backup.

As far as ammo, the Winchester and Browning are both chambered for 2 9/16" shells, so I use mail-ordered 2 1/2" shells in those. The Ithaca has a standard 2 3/4" chamber, so I can use ammo from any of the local stores.

Most of the time, there are at least a few choices to be had in 16ga shells. However, I'd hate to try to use it for clays. Most of the shells I see are in hunting loads.

 

[single action]

My first shotgun was a winchester model 37 16ga , I still have it and take it woodsrunning a couple times a year. I also have a savage stevens 311 in 16ga. I have never really needed anything else (though I have 12's and 20's) as I dont duck or goose hunt. The availiabilty of shells in my area is fair, most of the local gun shops have at least one or two boxes of something in 16ga and walmart will order it by the case locally.

 

[Grayrock]

and walmart will order it by the case locally

Really? How do you get them to do that? When I have inquired about ordering something they always just say "Duh, we like just get what they like ship us, dude."

 

[Ithacaman]

Count Me Among 16 Gauge Fans

I just bought my fourth one today, a Model 37 Ithaca made in 1966. I also have a Browning Sweet 16 may in 1955, a 1949 Mossberg Model 190 and a 1930s Lefever Nitro Special.

Perhaps I'm partial to them because the Mossberg was Dad's. Not a gun collector, he had one shotgun most of his life and it put a lot of pheasants, rabbits, squirrels on the table.

I love them all and you can find ammo if you look.

Great thread!

 

[okiewita40]

I have an old J. Stevens single shot in 16 ga. It belonged to my great grandfather when he first immigrated to America. Now that should tell you it's old since I am 40 myself. It has been the only gun I have been ables to keep for some reason. Either due to theft or what not.

I took my first pheasant with this gun. I can't even begin to count the number of clays I have shot with it. Even the tree rat's and rabbits have not been safe. Anyway the 16 is probably my favorite guage of shotgun.

 

[single action]

Grayrock,
I just asked the sporting goods manager if they could order me a case, and he did. Im not even sure if the "kids" that normally work the counter would even know what I was asking for. The manager had a clue, he even ordered a friend of mine some .22 hornet ammunition !