Why did they quit making the 16 gauge?
But I was always led to belive tha the 16 fell out of favor because the game of skeet in its heyday did not offer a class for that gauge.
16 Ga got a bad rap because a 16 ga shell will slide halfway down a 12 ga barrel. This could be very bad if someone just racks another round and fires. Making them purple helps. The 20 ga was seen as safer as it will slide all the way through a 12 ga.
I like my single shot 16 ga. Nice and light and is plenty for grouse with #8 shot. You get more lead out of a 16 ga than a 20 ga.