For cost comparison, it would make more sense to compare a Huglu 16 with a Huglu 12, not with a Beretta O/U.
No I was comparing my purchase to the guns you recommended, and the price ranges that I listed included sale prices, not "suggested retail", for with the internet folks can shop around, and I didn't want to quote my local prices as universal. Actually, I spent less on the 16 than the Huglu 12's on the rack, as the
feeling that a straight stock 16 gauge wouldn't seel made the shop owner lower his price.
You keep adding variables to the premis that advocates of the 16 gauge are lost in nostalgia,
Olympic trap shooters have experimented extensively with lighter 12 Gauge loads over the years, and undersquare loads tend to pattern best, especially as you bump up velocity. It's been thoroughly tested. There's no reason to believe that 1 oz. patterns as well in a 16 as in a 12.
That may be as far as experimenting goes, but are they reloading those shells, or are those specific factory shells for Olympic trap, or are they the cheapest out of the box? I could be very ignorant, but I think most shotgunners don't reload for any other reason than cost savings (so have no idea if they have an optimum pattern from their reloads), and don't use Olympic grade shells for targets or hunting. (Are there factory Olympic grade shells?) The idea among many 16 gauge advocates is that common, commercial 16 gauge shells with 1 oz. of shot, pattern better than common, commercial, 12 gauge shells with 1 oz. or common, commercial, 20 gauge shells with 7/8 oz. of shot.
I don't claim that..., that's just the idea or the theory.
I agree with most of your posts on the subject, and you have a very valid point that many folks who choose a 16 gauge get an old one 'cause it's old. My dad got a Browning A-5 in 16 that was made before they called it the
Sweet 16 , 'cause he thought it was cool.
It's more like Pizza (imho). That industry has found that the vast majority of consumers consider the best pizza to be the type they first enjoyed. Folks who choose Chicago thick crust think folks who prefer New York thin crust are foolish. Those of us who prefer thin crust, think thick crust people should get a side of bread sticks if they want extra bread
. You folks who love your auto-loaders probably are looking for optimum performance with simplicity, and the most up to date technology. I was looking for a very good shooting shotgun, that was very well made in metal to metal fit, and wood to metal fit, in a classic style, that I could
afford. So I like my "Turkish" shotgun fine.
Some cons you missed btw...,
16 gauge guns have limited runs, the 870 and 1100 and even my Huglu SxS are not currently offered in the 16 ga. configuration. A 12 or 20 make more sense when it come time to get spare parts, and therefore a vintage 16 makes even less sense than a new one.
As shot prices go up, the lower manufacturing numbers for all 16 gauge shells will mean a higher unit cost, so higher prices, and greater differences between 12 or 20 vs. the 16. Which will probably force more of "us" to start 16 gauge reloading, which will further reduce sales of factory ammo, which will lower demand for new ammo, which will cause ammo makers to reduce production, which will cause greater price differences, etc etc
My classic SxS requires that I practise using the front & back triggers to select the right or left barrel depending on where the bird is flushed, and if I'm the second hunter to engage the bird after the first hunter missed, etc. Many modern design guns have thumb selector switches, and auto-loaders give you a third shell so the first hunter has one extra chance than a SxS.
Oh, before I forget you asked...., hunt tests often use grouse or quail, and I like 7.5 shot.
OK I ALSO CONFESS, I have chamber adaptors to shoot 20 gauge shells from the 16 if the ammo ever gets too exspensive
Remember I don't say that 16 is so superior a gauge that it can be seen by average hunters/shooters; that's just the standard argument.
LD
