Your favorite 16 Gauge Shotgun

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I keep hearing the story that there's no 16ga. ammo around... I see it every place that i go and yes i do check for it to keep track of prices. I bought several boxes of 16ga ammo in a Walmart in NYS a couple month ago for $5.97 per box. I bought several boxes at a Dunhams store in Mi. for $5.99 per box.

I may not find the choises the 12 and 20 have, but i always find 16 ga ammo where ever i go, as my "go to gun" is a 16ga. Krieghoff S&S,

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As for 16ga. 3", it's come and gone, long ago and i doubt it will ever be repeated, as it isn't needed!

I buy all of my ammo "ahead of time", not wait until i'm out and desperate! On top of that, you can order any 16ga. ammo you would want...

DM
 
If they'd come out with a 3" chambered 16 it might regain its popularity for hunters. I wonder why they don't?
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Because it's not a viable idea, the market for such a gun would be too small for anyone to tool up for.

the ammo and gun makers know that

  1. even before the end of large scale production of 16ga guns, the major market for 16ga ammo was guys who owned older guns
  2. following on as an extension of the above, the current market is such that pretty much all easily available (as in on your gunshop/sporting goods store shelf) 16ga ammo on the market has to feed and cycle in "Sweet Sixteens" (this is why my 1935 Lefever w/o recoil pad beats me like i rented mule compared to a 12ga)
  3. the existing pool of shooters that would buy new 16ga shotguns mainly want it for uses where a 3" would be silly/overkill. (the 16 is veiwed by the majority as an "Upland" gun. and very good one)

every few years Remington makes a run of 16ga 870 wingmasters, they produce them at that interval because the number of guns they need to produce to make it worthwhile, will take that long to sell.

Edit to add:
I keep hearing the story that there's no 16ga. ammo around... I bought several boxes of 16ga ammo in a Walmart in NYS a couple month ago for $5.97 per box. I bought several boxes at a Dunhams store in Mi. for $5.99 per box.
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I work the gun counter at one of the local sporting goods stores, and we get at least one person a week who's pleasantly surprised that we have 16ga on the shelf. even had one guy who told his buddy "If you can find 16ga in this place I'll buy you two cases, cause their ain't none to be had!" he kind of turned red (embarassed not anger) when I told him we only had a case and a half, as someone had bought 5 boxes the previous night. and yeah those prices are about right I think the Remington shells we stock are right around $6-6.50 a box
 
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chas08 said:
Where can I get a case of 16ga #3 Steel?
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Steel used to be available, and probably still is, i have no idea what shot size though. I know Hevi shot is available, and i'd choose that over steel.

I'm betting you can order it though...

I'll REPEAT AGAIN, 3" 16ga. guns and ammo have already been made...

DM
 
My Uncles 1952 Belgian made Browning A-5 Sweet 16 with a 28" FC barrel. There's nothing I wouldn't hunt in NA (excluding bears) with it. It was the gun I shot trap with and got my first turkey with. However, I have a Browning Gold Fusion 3" 12ga and can say its the superior gun. I'd hunt almost anything on earth with my 12ga. You can shoot the light target loads in it all the way up to 2oz Dixie slugs for dangerous game if you wanted to.
 
My 16 gauges

Through the many guns, over my generous length of life (66), I've never been without a 16ga, a hornet and a 45/70. Currently of 12 shotguns one is a Sauer SXS I've owned for 30 yrs and a newly aquired Iver Johnson "Ranger" (Sears and Roebuck?) 30" 16ga with a 9/16th rib marked Made in the USA.. Choke. Unusual, no external hammer, gray reciever and about 80% overall. Can't find anything about this gun on the internet so far. Anyone help??. I buy 16 shells at garage sales ,auctions etc for may years and have a lifetime supply for me..Here in Wyo Sage and blue grouse are my targats, 16 does fine!..Thanx
 
Ammo depends on state. I have no problems finding 16 ga in the Dakotas or in Washington. In Illinois, I've had to order it. I found 16 ga slugs in Scheers in SD, but have had problems finding some buckshot.
I did have shot bounce off a pheasant last year (it literally rained feathers, so I did hit it square). My Remington is a pleasure to carry; my 870 express was a great starter gun and I still try to pump my Remington on occasion.
 
Currently of 12 shotguns one is a Sauer SXS I've owned for 30 yrs and a newly aquired Iver Johnson "Ranger" (Sears and Roebuck?) 30" 16ga with a 9/16th rib marked Made in the USA.. Choke. Unusual, no external hammer, gray reciever and about 80% overall. Can't find anything about this gun on the internet so far. Anyone help??.
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I do believe that your Iver Johnson is really a Stevens 520. If so it's a Browning design. You can tell by the the square "breech lock" on top of the receiver and the knurled magazine tube (It's to provide a good hand purchase when "taking down" the shotgun..... Most that I've seen had a 30" barrel and a tight full choke.
Edit to add; the 16 ga 520s that I've seen were scaled to gauge and are a delight to shoot.

W44
 
I've only got one. It's a cheap, old Mossberg bolt action that predates serial numbers.

Only ever shot it once, but I like it. It's a neat little oddity in my opinion, and I like that.
 
MOST of the pre WW2 16 ga guns I like and examine I find have a shorter than 2 3/4" chamber and there lies the rub.......
 
L C Smith

My favorite birdgun is a minty L C Smith 16ga 26" imp&mod one of the last guns out of the old Fulton plant.Shells are no problem for a reloader my go to is 1oz #7 hard shot will do 90% of what I use the gun for.Try A 16 ga and you will know why it has such a loyal following. Frank C.
 
Thanx wheeler 44..however

My bad..I forgot to mention the 16 ga is a breakover single shot, no hammer with a tang safety..9/16 solid full length rib ??
 
Got three

sxs Ithaca N.I.D.,SXS "RIVERSIDE"(Stevens' cheap model).mOSSY BOLT-ACTION.The Riverside has rabbit ears.Am in the market for a 16ga Ithaca pump /choke tubes
 
As long as it is 16ga it is wonderful!! I only have 5 of them and need many more. I have a Winchester 37A 16ga that is real nice, very light weight and not shot much. Very good for small game. I also have an A5 made in 1926 with 2 1/2 inch chamber which is my dove and quail gun. and so on. Hits like a 12 carries like a 20! There is also a second A5 with a 2 3/4 chamber and a shower head choke and a new Ithica 37, which I bought when they made a run of 1000 several years ago. I need an 1100 and an 870 to add to the collection and some sort of SxS to round things out. I think a nice Parker in 16ga would be nice.
 
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1 model 11, 2 1148s, 2 A5s {1 Berlguim, ! jap}, 1 A5 standaed, 1 o/u , 1 1100, 2 ss, 1 JC Higgins bolt action, and 2 or 3 single barrels. No I do not hasve enough of them yet!
 
Ditto Olafhardtbe I have a Stevens 235,(with hammers), and Case hardened receiver. Looks like it was built yesterday! M/F. Like a real @#$%% I sold a Reblued Model 12 Winchester that was an early enough gun it had a 2 9/16 "chamber, It was a really nice job of refurb. 8 or 10yrs later my brother finds the same gun on a used rack and snatched it! Best part while it was gone it developed a finely honed 2 3/4" Chamber! had a Remington Mod 58 skeet gun, let that one get away too. I think they dont make it in 3" because of the old guns with the 2 9/16" chambers.
 
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