A person really should reload 28 gauge and 410 if they want to shoot either on a regular basis. Even with today's prices, I can still reload 410 a lot cheaper than buying a box of factory ammo. And 28 gauge is pretty much the same.
Is there a place for the "Forgotten" Gauges?
- Thread starter TTv2
- Start date
Old Hobo
Member
I actually found a box of 24 ga shotgun shells recently. Twenty-four gauge shotguns? No.
As others have said, get a light load for a 20 gauge. The men in my family preferred the 16 gauge -- in their era, the 16 was very popular. Me, I've never owned one due to 3" mag 20 ga ammo.
Don't get me started on the proliferation of all manner of new rifle chamberings. Totally bizarre. Precious few have anything new to offer over cartridges that came out 70+ years ago. We certainly need not develop new shotgun gauges nor resurrect chamberings made obsolete. Too, those who reload can come up with all manner of diversity with already available rifle and shotgun casings.
No offense intended, but many hunters simply need to hone their hunting skills. For OCD target shooters, I actually CAN see wildcat cartridges -- but that's on them, they're not asking the world to revolve around them. They are do-it-yourselfers; certainly nothing wrong with that.
As others have said, get a light load for a 20 gauge. The men in my family preferred the 16 gauge -- in their era, the 16 was very popular. Me, I've never owned one due to 3" mag 20 ga ammo.
Don't get me started on the proliferation of all manner of new rifle chamberings. Totally bizarre. Precious few have anything new to offer over cartridges that came out 70+ years ago. We certainly need not develop new shotgun gauges nor resurrect chamberings made obsolete. Too, those who reload can come up with all manner of diversity with already available rifle and shotgun casings.
No offense intended, but many hunters simply need to hone their hunting skills. For OCD target shooters, I actually CAN see wildcat cartridges -- but that's on them, they're not asking the world to revolve around them. They are do-it-yourselfers; certainly nothing wrong with that.
chiefs-special-guy
Member
Guns can be scaled to the gauge, so you could make very light 28s for example. That makes sense for carrying the gun afield. I handled an English SxS in 410 once that I bet weighed 4 pounds. But for hitting stuff, the 12 is perfect for everything with proper loads except maybe some wildfowling. Ammo selection is vastly greater than all other gauges.
Dan Forrester
Member
Has anyone even seen a 32 or 24 huge shotgun for sale? I’ve looked occasionally on Gunbroker but never seen one. The closest I found was a h&r 32 gauge animal tranquilizer gun.
Federal currently makes both 24 and 32 gauge ammunition and it is commonly available on line. It’s listed on their web sight too:
www.federalpremium.com
So who is buying this ammo if there are no guns available?
Amazing to think you can buy 32 gauge shotgun shells from dozens of places online but .35 Remington is no where to be found and those guns are pretty common.
Dan
Federal currently makes both 24 and 32 gauge ammunition and it is commonly available on line. It’s listed on their web sight too:
Buy Game Load Upland for USD 27.99 | Federal Ammunition
Shopping for the Game Load Upland - Learn more about the latest Game Load Upland and other hunting or shooting gear at Federal Ammunition.
So who is buying this ammo if there are no guns available?
Amazing to think you can buy 32 gauge shotgun shells from dozens of places online but .35 Remington is no where to be found and those guns are pretty common.
Dan
unspellable
Member
Saw a 32 and a 24 gauge NIB at a local gun show a few years back. I think they were French make.
Availability does not always make sense. I have a rifle in 400-360. No ammo, no brass, no loading data. Ammo, brass, etc. can be had for a 600 Nitro. For every 600 Nitro rifle out there, there are a hundred rifles in 400-360.
Availability does not always make sense. I have a rifle in 400-360. No ammo, no brass, no loading data. Ammo, brass, etc. can be had for a 600 Nitro. For every 600 Nitro rifle out there, there are a hundred rifles in 400-360.
whatnickname
Member
My granddad and his brothers were all fans of the 16 gauge. They shot everything from quail to deer and varmints with 16 gauge guns. I remember asking them why the 16 gauge. They never really answered that question other than to say that the 16 did everything they asked of it. I’ve seen other writers opine that the 16 is the best upland bird gun. I can’t dispute that. As for the 32 and 24, who knows. Probably has more to do with marketing hype and consumer preference as much as anything else. Seems like it’s all about the 12, 20, 28 and 410 anymore. Kind of a shame.
