opinions on a new o/u 16 gauge

[Johnny Lightning]

I saw a citori lightning in 16 gauge yesterday that I liked. I would be using the shotgun for pheasant and dove hunting. Any feedback for the 16? Also the citori has a 26" barrel.

 

[eastbank]

nothing wrong with the 16ga, i own several and use them. when you decide to get it, look for a used mec 650 or 9000g 16ga reloader and you are set. eastbank

 

[220slow]

Get it! I have one. Balances great and has its own size frame. Will do what you want.

 

[627PCFan]

I say go for it. a OU or Sxs in 16ga are on my grail list.

 

[oneounceload]

16s are great field guns, just like the 28. Personally, I prefer longer barrels, at least 28 or even 30, but if it swings well for YOU, that's all that matters

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I liked my 16s... a lot.

But I got the sense that ammo availability and selection was on the decline for the 16s.

 

[jaguarxk120]

The 16 gauge has been on the decline for the last 50 years!

But it seems that the gun makers in the know are still making them for shooters.

As far as shells go, there is a listing of manufactures (shell) on 16ga.com and there is a lot.

Finding shells at GM, Dick's, or Pro Bass is iffy since all they want to sell is 12 & 20 gauge to the crowd shooting those 8 shot 2x4 guns.

 

[PabloJ]

I would look for extra light 12ga O/U gun with steel receiver. Last one I have seen was fixed choke Beretta 686 extra leggero. The gun had fixed chokes, 26.5" chromoly barrels, VR, plastic butt plate, sling swivels and the weight was just 6lb6oz. With wide range of 12ga ammo available including specialty light loads that presents far, far better option than the 16ga weapon. Such O/U guns are hard to find in USA but the search is well worth it.

 

[rbernie]

I almost bought that same gun recently, but went with a 12ga Lightning Feather instead. The reality is that I can buy (or handload) 7/8oz and 1oz loads for the 12ga that give it the payload and recoil of the 16ga, and I believe that modern shot and wad designs have obviated much of the 16ga's 'superiority' in shot pattern relative to light 12ga loads.

In the end, the weight difference was small between the 16ga and 12ga Citori and the utility of the 12ga relative to the 16ga was large, and so I chose 12ga.

Good luck making the call. Either way, it's gonna be fun!

 

[Panzerschwein]

I like me a 20 for a field gun, but boy a sweet 16 can sing till' the cows come home! !

 

[Johnny Lightning]

One more question to ask is how the Citori Lightning compares to the 725?

 

[WestKentucky]

16ga is very much overlooked by the ammo guys. There are a lot of manufacturers but I doubt you ever see any shells at Walmart or any other dept store. A true sporting goods store will not have many, and what they have will not be "specialty" shells. Maybe slugs, but doubtful any duck, goose, or turkey loads. Field loads and maybe pheasant loads will be just about your limit. So figure out what you want to do with it and look at ammo availability. If it fits your needs buy ammo now as it continues to get more scarce.

 

[jr_watkins]

16 ga shells

In Texas at Academy, Bass Pro, and Gander Mountain, we get quite a few 16 ga offerings in factory shells. Remington and Federal dove (7 1/2 & 8) as well as the Remington #6's for long range. Remington long range in both #4's and #2's seem to be seasonal. There is usually slugs. I don't remember seeing 00 though...

Nice thing is most 16 ga shells are still high brass.

Most of the 12 ga 'bargain' shells are downloaded to 16 ga loads anyway, 1 oz shot @ 1200 fps. Might as well shoot a 16. (I'll admit bias as I have both a 12 and 16 and prefer the 16, but that has more to do with the shotgun, Remington Wingmaster, than the load)

 

[oneounceload]

Gander and Walmart here carry 16 - not as much as 12 and 20, but a lot more than 28, especially if you want hunting loads; otherwise ordering online from Able's Graf, Cabela's, etc can get you ammo delivered to your door

 

[d2wing]

Great gun but ammo is hard to find here. Plan on reloading. I prefer 20 or 12 because I don't reload anymore.

 

[Johnny Lightning]

I founds some pheasant loads at my local wally world and Cabelas had a good selection.

 

[Johnny Lightning]

To clarify...is the 16 gauge basically a 3" 20 gauge as far as shot and ballistics go?

 

[nickdiazfan209]

I'd opt for 12 personally. I love 16 gauge and hunt squirrels with one fairly often. My only beef is the ammo not being quite as common.

 

[oneounceload]

To clarify...is the 16 gauge basically a 3" 20 gauge as far as shot and ballistics go?

More like the other way around.....

 

[jaguarxk120]

And the three inch twenty kick's like a mad mule.

 

[PabloJ]

And the three inch twenty kick's like a mad mule.

The loads for game guns are as follows: 12ga 1&1/8oz, 16ga 1oz and 7/8oz for 20ga. Light 20 weighs 5&3/4lbs to 6lb, 16 about 6&1/4lbs and 12ga 6&1/2lbs. Given availability of 12ga game loads from 2" to 2&3/4" the 20ga and 16ga guns aren't worth considering even for elderly or inexperienced shooters.

 

[Virginian]

Well, it looks like the 16 lover's still rally 'round the round. If you want to join that minority, it's your money, have at it. But, you asked for opinions, so I will say I see no earthly reason to own one. It will not do anything a modern 20 won't do, usually in a trimmer more svelte package. It won't do anything a 12 won't do if you're scared of recoil in a light 20 with heavier loads, which I am not. If you just want something to be different, then they fill the bill. I may have a couple of things I am sure no one else thinks makes any sense.

 

[jaguarxk120]

It is the way a 16 gauge gun handles, balance and weight for a given gun. In the hands they feel just right.

A nice double or O/U that is a true 16 will out handle those multi-purpose do-all guns marketed today.

 

[oneounceload]

multi-purpose do-all guns

Like federal gov't programs are misnomers as they do nothing well. Jacks of all trades are masters of none. Better to have mission-specific guns that are the best choices for their purpose than the multi-use generic guns that are poor compromises

 

[im.runandgun]

Might as well pick up a 24ga. Also..... It will make a nice pair