leadcounsel
member
I've never fired one, seems that it's right in between the 20 and 12.
Why is it not common?
Why is it not common?
Your thoughts on the 16 gauge?
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Mooseman
Member
They're great but not enough of an advantage over 12 or 20 gauge to be worth an oddball. I used to have one of the old mossberg bolt actions in 16.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Because the 20 & 12 loadings overlap it so much the manufactures stopped making them years ago.
Then some of those that still did make them, made them on 12 GA size frames, and there was no advantage to going to a smaller GA that weighed as much or more, and who's ammo cost more then 12 ga.
If you wanted a lighter gun, you got a 20 ga built on a smaller receiver.
Then the snowball started rolling down hill, and before long the guns didn't sell, and the ammo cost more becasue there were no new guns, so they sold less of it, and it got harder to find, and the 16 ga died.
I think the other thing is, it was never a player in the police or military market because 00 buckshot doesn't stack right the smaller 16 ga shells.
Of course neither does the 20, but the 20 can duplicate any shot load the 16 can handle and the 3" 20 ga moreso.
rc
Then some of those that still did make them, made them on 12 GA size frames, and there was no advantage to going to a smaller GA that weighed as much or more, and who's ammo cost more then 12 ga.
If you wanted a lighter gun, you got a 20 ga built on a smaller receiver.
Then the snowball started rolling down hill, and before long the guns didn't sell, and the ammo cost more becasue there were no new guns, so they sold less of it, and it got harder to find, and the 16 ga died.
I think the other thing is, it was never a player in the police or military market because 00 buckshot doesn't stack right the smaller 16 ga shells.
Of course neither does the 20, but the 20 can duplicate any shot load the 16 can handle and the 3" 20 ga moreso.
rc
cat_IT_guy
Member
My dad has an old single-shot 16ga. It was the first gun I ever shot - kicked like a mule (to an 8yo).
As stated, the recoil is not reduced enough to win that over 12ga, and the extra payload over a 20ga is not substantial enough to win that argument.
As stated, the recoil is not reduced enough to win that over 12ga, and the extra payload over a 20ga is not substantial enough to win that argument.
langenc
Member
Shotshells are available in 16 at a greater price than 12 or 20. If you are looking at a really nice 16-grab it, esp if you will only shoot a few boxes of ammo/yr.
Virginian
Member
A lot of people love it, but I never felt the need. The fact that Skeet didn't embrace it certainly didn't help either.
Southpaw 02
Member
16s are really cool, ever heard the expression.Carries like a 20 & hits like a 12!!!!!!!!!
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
No, but one of my friends says his carries like a 12 and hits like a 20!
There has only been a few real 16 ga size guns made in the USA over the last 50 years or so.
Browning Sweet-16, Ithaca 37, and some expensive doubles.
Many of the later mainstream pumps were 12 guns with 16 ga bores.
rc
There has only been a few real 16 ga size guns made in the USA over the last 50 years or so.
Browning Sweet-16, Ithaca 37, and some expensive doubles.
Many of the later mainstream pumps were 12 guns with 16 ga bores.
rc
MagDad
Member
I have my Dad's Remington 11, made in the 1950s. It is lighter than a 12, but is fullfull choke and not OK for steel shot so I have to shoot it for upland. It is so tight that a pheasant at 25 yds centered is "poof". Not a good gun for a beginner as not much margin for error with that choke. Would make a good turkey or varmint gun though. Nothing wrong with it if it was 1962 but now there is more to choose from.
RSVP2RIP
Member
If they made a 16ga. 3" loading we might have a different view of it. If you believe the compact shot string theory, then any equal load in the 20ga will pattern better in the 16ga. The shot column theory gets debunked then proved only to be debunked. I don't care about that crap. If it will kill birds then it ok. So much the better if it carries and balances great, which is something a 16 does very well vs the 12 (if the 16ga is on a 16ga frame). Look at how many manufacturers are marketing 28 ga frames. The 410 3" should have sounded the 28ga death knell.
wlewisiii
Member
Can't speak to much else, but I do dearly love my Ithaca 37 in 16 gauge (mod choke). They did it right and it's nice to carry while still effective for everything I've shot it at. Even with slugs.
Probably the best $125 I've ever spent on a firearm.
Probably the best $125 I've ever spent on a firearm.
MCgunner
Member
Quite simply it's an anachronism of the past. 16s still can do the job, but 12 and 20 is what the public bought, what the public has settled on as a standard. I have an old 16 and it is still in good shape, but the 30" full choke isn't exactly useful for much. I don't shoot it often. My 12s and my 20 get the work outs and on snow geese, I use a 10 gauge, a gauge that still has a niche of utility for it. 
I may get a 28 some day, but I really don't desire another 16. Some folks think the 16 is the cat's meow, though, but I'm not a fanboy of the gauge. JMHO
Most of my hunting is done for dove and waterfowl, probably why I have this opinion. I don't hunt flushing game, no dog. 12 and 10 are the ONLY choices for ducks and geese, 12 being the most versatile, IMHO, what with steel shot mandated. I use my 20 on doves, quicker handling gun, love that thing for doves. I'll revert to a 12 occasionally for doves because I have a very light kicking and fairly quick (for a 12) handling Winchester gas gun I like a lot, sweet shooter and fits me like a well tailored suit.
I may get a 28 some day, but I really don't desire another 16. Some folks think the 16 is the cat's meow, though, but I'm not a fanboy of the gauge. JMHOMost of my hunting is done for dove and waterfowl, probably why I have this opinion. I don't hunt flushing game, no dog. 12 and 10 are the ONLY choices for ducks and geese, 12 being the most versatile, IMHO, what with steel shot mandated. I use my 20 on doves, quicker handling gun, love that thing for doves. I'll revert to a 12 occasionally for doves because I have a very light kicking and fairly quick (for a 12) handling Winchester gas gun I like a lot, sweet shooter and fits me like a well tailored suit.
Special guns have to be used to make that phrase ring true. Most were old sxs game guns with 65mm or 67mm chambers from Germany and France. Good American 16ga guns were A.H. Fox and Parker Bros. with special light wt. frame and barrels. Model 12 16ga also deserves honorable mention.
oneounceload
member
Because gun makers BLEW it by making guns on 12 gauge frames instead of on 16 or 20 gauge frames making the guns heavier than they need be. A 16 on a 20 frame is a joy to carry and shoot and will outperform the 20 every time. Being dropped from skeet didn't help either
chas08
Member
Add to that; the Winchester Model 12, and Remington Model 31. I own a 12, 31, and 37 in 16 ga, also a Stevens 520 which is my hands down least favorite! I would be hard pressed to choose between the other three. the model 12 is the smoothest, the Rem 31 fits me better than the model 12 for some reason, and the model 37 is the lightest, fits well, and is a joy to carry, but is a bit rough on the shoulder with heavy duck loads.
The 16 was my Grandfathers gauge of choice for his "Only" shotgun and that is probably the real reason I like them so much. Not because of any myths like "carries like a 20 and hits like a 12" Though it does carry like a 20 and hit like a 20 ga three inch magnum. If they are scaled to gauge.
content
Member
Hello friends and neighbors // Of the 16ga shotguns I own the Remington 31, with the aluminum receiver, is smoothest to use. It is built on a 16ga frame.
Second is the Stevens 311 also built on a 16ga. frame.
I like my Wingmasters but the 31 is a dream, almost too quick because you want to run it like an 870 and you don't need to.
I do not have any semiautos in 16ga.
As RC pointed out both are over 50 years old or would probably be on a 12ga. frame.
I think shotguns comming out with choke tubes helped hastened the 16s departure too.
Second is the Stevens 311 also built on a 16ga. frame.
I like my Wingmasters but the 31 is a dream, almost too quick because you want to run it like an 870 and you don't need to.
I do not have any semiautos in 16ga.
As RC pointed out both are over 50 years old or would probably be on a 12ga. frame.
I think shotguns comming out with choke tubes helped hastened the 16s departure too.
EnglishmanInArizona
Member
I really do love the 16ga Model 12 that I've been borrowing for shooting quail over a dog. Considerably faster than a 12ga, but haven't noticed myself missing any more birds than with the 12ga. A real pleasure when you are carrying over hills in the Arizona desert.
Loads are little limited, but I walked into Sportsman's warehouse and found #6 birdshot, #8 birdshot, #1 buck and rifled slugs all available and not extortionate. More than I'd want to pay for shooting doves all day, though.
Some people rate #1 buck as a preferable defensive load to #00. You could argue that all day. What I will say is that my ex-wife found the 16ga a lot easier to handle than a 12ga - in both recoil and weight.
If I were a better shot, I'd use a 20ga for small birds, and thinking about it the reason I'm not a better shot is that I can't afford to practice enough with a 16ga. So there's a negative.
If you've got someone small-framed that you'd like to take hunting, though, that 16ga is a pretty sweet gun.
Loads are little limited, but I walked into Sportsman's warehouse and found #6 birdshot, #8 birdshot, #1 buck and rifled slugs all available and not extortionate. More than I'd want to pay for shooting doves all day, though.
Some people rate #1 buck as a preferable defensive load to #00. You could argue that all day. What I will say is that my ex-wife found the 16ga a lot easier to handle than a 12ga - in both recoil and weight.
If I were a better shot, I'd use a 20ga for small birds, and thinking about it the reason I'm not a better shot is that I can't afford to practice enough with a 16ga. So there's a negative.
If you've got someone small-framed that you'd like to take hunting, though, that 16ga is a pretty sweet gun.
T.R.
Member
16 gauge double barrel (side by side) was once the standard for upland game and duck hunting. But cheaper pump action shotguns came along and the buying public made this the style of choice.
A 16 gauge barrel screwed onto a 20 gauge pump frame is light and powerful. But a 16 gauge barrel screwed onto a 12 gauge frame offers no advantage over the 12 and this killed off its popularity.
16 gauge is still my first choice for the uplands even though ammo is a mail order only item for me. Local shops do not stock 16 gauge shells at all.
TR
A 16 gauge barrel screwed onto a 20 gauge pump frame is light and powerful. But a 16 gauge barrel screwed onto a 12 gauge frame offers no advantage over the 12 and this killed off its popularity.
16 gauge is still my first choice for the uplands even though ammo is a mail order only item for me. Local shops do not stock 16 gauge shells at all.
TR
TreeDoc
Member
It's funny to me that most people remember their father or grand father shooting a 16. My father shot a 16 Ithica as well. It was his only shotgun for many years and harvested many a bird from quail to turkey.
Taroman
Member
I had several 16s over the years, including my first gun a Mossberg bolt action w/poly choke.
If the 16 was made as a true 16/20 sized gun, great.
When they went to the 12ga frame, that was the end.
Hunted a lot of pheasants with a 16ga Winchester 97. It always did the business.
If the 16 was made as a true 16/20 sized gun, great.
When they went to the 12ga frame, that was the end.
Hunted a lot of pheasants with a 16ga Winchester 97. It always did the business.
My first shotgun was a 16ga Browning Auto-5 (not a sweet 16). My father has an Ithaca 37 featherweight that is an amazingly smooth gun. He also has a Crescent arms 16g SxS. My dad grew up shooting my grandpas bolt action 16g. I grew up shooting 16g shotguns, and they will always hold a special plate in my heart.
Furncliff
Member
About 30 years ago my wife gave me an Ithaca 16 ga SXS. I can by shells for it at Walmart. Made in the 20's it's a sweet little gun and fun to shoot. Even If I can't hit with it.
wlewisiii
Member
Hopefully my son will think something similar, though, to be honest, I have a Stevens 315 12 ga SxS (classic 30" full & fuller) as well as my Ithaca 37 in 16 ga. But as much as I like that old Stevens, if I went out the door in the morning with a shotgun in hand, it would be the Ithaca that I would be carrying.
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i really enjoyed walking my Fox Savage 16ga SxS trrough the woods.
Recoil was a lot less than a 12, and the gun was built on the leaner 20ga frame, AFAIK.
Made for a very light package. And the squirrels didn´t know any difference
Really liked the caliber.
Nowadays im ca. 60lbs heavier and more muscular,
so 12ga is no problem either. But i wouldn´t feel under-equipped
with a nice 16ga.
Recoil was a lot less than a 12, and the gun was built on the leaner 20ga frame, AFAIK.
Made for a very light package. And the squirrels didn´t know any difference
Really liked the caliber.
Nowadays im ca. 60lbs heavier and more muscular,
so 12ga is no problem either. But i wouldn´t feel under-equipped
with a nice 16ga.
There was too much overlap from the 12 and 20. And then, the 12 offers more firepower, and the 20 carries better. Also, lot of manufacturers made 16 gauge versions of their guns by putting a 16 gauge barrel on a 12 gauge frame, which only really offers disadvantages.
It seems to make sense for hunters, though. If I hunted, I'd be willing to try one out just for kicks. The Ithaca 37 in 16 gauge is reported to be truly something to be experienced.
It seems to make sense for hunters, though. If I hunted, I'd be willing to try one out just for kicks. The Ithaca 37 in 16 gauge is reported to be truly something to be experienced.
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