Why no more 16 gauge?
- Thread starter CSestp
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Isaac-1
Member
I don't know for sure, but I suspect that the introduction of magnum length rounds in 20 GA was probably part of it, the timing would be about right and a 3 inch 20GA shell would be roughly equal to a 16 GA standard shell.
Virginian
Member
The 16 faded because the 12 and 20 overlapped it's performance, and unless a gun is made proportionally for the gauge there is no advantage in any direction. The manufacturers were more than happy to stop making a different receiver/frame size as well. Very few new shooters out there looking for a 16. Everyone who loves or wants one usually already has one or more.
A lot of people love 16s, but I never got it, and I have shot a lot of proportioned 16s in different action types. For those who tout the performance with a weight advantage over the 12, I find a 20 will match the performance with even less weight, and for those who tout the recoil advantage I find lite loads in a 12 will do even more recoil abatement.
The fact that is isn't one of the four gauges recognized for registered skeet no doubt didn't help it either.
The truth is they just like 16s, and nothing at all wrong with that. I'm the same way about the .44 Special, and I have the same problem. Not enough market to make new guns widely available.
A lot of people love 16s, but I never got it, and I have shot a lot of proportioned 16s in different action types. For those who tout the performance with a weight advantage over the 12, I find a 20 will match the performance with even less weight, and for those who tout the recoil advantage I find lite loads in a 12 will do even more recoil abatement.
The fact that is isn't one of the four gauges recognized for registered skeet no doubt didn't help it either.
The truth is they just like 16s, and nothing at all wrong with that. I'm the same way about the .44 Special, and I have the same problem. Not enough market to make new guns widely available.
I think Virginian hit the nail on the head. The 12 and 20 overlap has done it in. The same thing has basically happened with the 10ga. Magnum 12ga loads give about the same performance, but a dedicated 10 is nice for the added weight.
monkyboy1975
Member
The old 16 hasn't totally disappeared. There are still a few manufacturers making them. Off the top of my head, Browning still offers a BPS pump, and Ithaca is offering a 16 GA pump as well. And there are a few others making double guns as well. But Virginian did hit it with the reasoning behind it's loss in popularity.
Grousefeather
Member
16 ga
I have a 16 SXS and love it. 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.
I have a 16 SXS and love it. 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.
oneounceload
member
I guess it depends on who "THEY" are, as the 16 gauge is alive and well from many makers.
Check out the 16 gauge society, www.16ga.com and you'll find a wealth of info dedicated to the 16
The ORIGINAL game of skeet, aka "around the clock", DID have the 16 - it was a five bore size game way back when
DM~
Member
I love my 16's!
Where i live, buying ammo is no problem and it works as good as it ever did!
DM
Where i live, buying ammo is no problem and it works as good as it ever did!
DM
T Bran
Member
I have an Ithica model 37 16 gague pump with a factory poly type choke. It is a nice lite gun in pretty nice condition. Wish I had a use for it but as ammo is scarce down here I've only fired it a couple times.
I got it in a group of guns that I bought from the widow of a friend and it has lived in the safe ever since. I'd like to trade it for a .410 pump or double BBL so it is going to the next gun show with me.
T
I got it in a group of guns that I bought from the widow of a friend and it has lived in the safe ever since. I'd like to trade it for a .410 pump or double BBL so it is going to the next gun show with me.
T
Here's an article that waxes rhapsodic about the virtues of the 16 gauge relative to 12 and 20. The author contends that the compact shot string makes for 12 levels of effectiveness of flying targets, but with recoil and weight similar to a 20.
http://www.billhanusbirdguns.com/archive02.html
http://www.billhanusbirdguns.com/archive02.html
The 16 gauge is very popular in Europe. The French seem to love it but they also love stinky cheese, Citroens, EuroDisney and Jerry Lewis. The Germans thought it was okay but only when mounted above a rifle barrel in a drilling.
The English believe a man should shoot a 12 gauge and regard the 16 as being best left to effete members of the aristocracy who were caned so often in private school they began to like it and large rawboned women of uncertain sexual preference.
The 16 gauge is enjoying a renaissance which is to be expected because "renaissance" is a French word.
The English believe a man should shoot a 12 gauge and regard the 16 as being best left to effete members of the aristocracy who were caned so often in private school they began to like it and large rawboned women of uncertain sexual preference.
The 16 gauge is enjoying a renaissance which is to be expected because "renaissance" is a French word.
chas08
Member
I'd rather have a 16 than a 20. In fact I have six of them residing in my safe. Two of which saw a lot of duck hunting action this past year. Particularly my Remington Model 31 and my Ithaca 37. Hard to say which of those two is my favorite. I really see no distinct advantage in the gauge itself, it's just different and I like it. It was my Grandfathers gauge of choice for his only shotgun. Ammo is no problem. The UPS man drops it off a case or two at a time.
oneounceload
member
When I ask friends who shoot nice SxS guns, especially for upland, which bore size(s) they prefer, etc., it is unanimous - the 28 for small pen-raised quail and the like, and the 16 for everything else. One gent is having a custom 16 made - he won't say what and has us guessing -but it will be over a year before we get to see it. Knowing him, it will have gorgeous wood and some lovely engraving to go along with its excellent handling
Liberty1776
Member
it's a good question. dunno why. I've hunted with my 16's more than aaaany thing else for the last 40 years. Used to love it for ducks too, back in the "olden-golden" days, when you could still get good lead shot loads to use on ducks...
sting75ray
Member.
I have a Model 12 Winchester in my collection that I have never shot. Dad had it for years and I think he only shot it one time.
coolluke01
Member
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.
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.
paintballdude902
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ehhhhh are you sure about this? cause i remember at boy scout camp many years ago they demonstrated this and the 20ga stayed in the barrel
edit the rim of a 20ga is .699 and the size of a 12ga is .729. well lets say you have a full in it then that subtracts .035 from the bore. that leaves a muzzle bore diameter of .694. so improved cylinder or less and you are correct, but any more constriction than that and you got your self a shell stuck in the bore
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coolluke01
Member
Ok, but it would be all the way at the end of the barrel and it wouldn't hurt as much as if it were closer. 
Also a 20ga shell would be hard to mistake for a 12ga. It would be like trying to feed a .223 into a .270. A 16ga feels a lot closer to a 12ga in size.
Also a 20ga shell would be hard to mistake for a 12ga. It would be like trying to feed a .223 into a .270. A 16ga feels a lot closer to a 12ga in size.
Virginian
Member
Doesn't really matter why I don't suppose, it just is. And legions of true believers are not making much headway with new shooters, who all seem to want a camo 3-1/2" 12 gauge.
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