Anyone use 16 gauge?

Birder · #1 04-28-2012, 04:01 PM

I've taken up hunting upland birds in the last few years and am now looking at getting a 16 gauge s/s. I thought about a .410 but am thinking about going for some ducks this year and figured a 16 could work for both and I wouldn't have to spend a ton of cash. Anybody used a 16 gauge for both? Or does anyone have a better idea?

catnthehat · #2 04-28-2012, 04:09 PM

Unless you hand load, 16 gauge ammo is hard to find and can be pricey.
If you are hunting ducks over decoys however, a 20 gauge is a great gun, if you are mostly doing the upland thing, and ammo is readily available for it.
I've killed hundreds of ducks and geese with a 20 gauge.

The reason I say 20 gauge is because they will be lighter for packing around after pheasants and grouse than a 12 will be.
Cat

Pudelpointer · #3 04-28-2012, 04:31 PM

I agree with Cat, though I have a love of the 16.

While a 16 is excellent upland / duck medicine, finding 16 gauge steel shotshells can be a pita. 20 gauge is a fair bit easier to find, while 12 gauge can be found everywhere.

2 3/4" 16 gauge is a bit limited when you start looking at larger shot sizes in steel for geese - it can work, but not the best.

Still, a great choice for upland.

rottie · #4 04-28-2012, 04:33 PM

What factory shells would u recomend Cat,for a older Citori 20 gauge,I dont believe its steel compatable ? A 3 inch chamber

Birder · #5 04-29-2012, 12:05 AM

Thanks Cat, I was always told a 20 gauge didn't have the best power for geese so I didn't really consider it. I load my own 12g shells but don't think I want to spend the cash to get a 16g setup. I think I'll take your advise and look for a 20 instead. Thanks again.

bearhunter338-06 · #6 04-29-2012, 12:12 AM

I shoot a 16ga and have no problems finding 16ga shells. I can get them at my Canadian Tire store. Every gun shop I have been in including whole sale sports sells 16ga shells. Do your self a favor look at your local shops befor you jump off the 16ga band wagon. You wont be disappointed.

Birder · #7 04-29-2012, 12:14 AM

You're able to find them in steel too?

catnthehat · #8 04-29-2012, 12:29 AM

I will ansewr your questions on the 16 / 20. Thing tomorrow
My internet is down and this blackberry sucks!!
Cat

bearhunter338-06 · #9 04-29-2012, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birder

You're able to find them in steel too?

Yes Federal loads the 16ga in #2 and #4 steel.

Look here

http://ca.wholesalesports.com/storef...prod92968.html

http://ca.wholesalesports.com/storef...rod206431.html

http://ca.wholesalesports.com/storef...rod230873.html

Birder · #10 04-29-2012, 10:52 AM

Thanks, it looks like Bass Pro carries 16's as well.

trigger7mm · #11 04-29-2012, 12:23 PM

I used to use a 16 gauge all the time, and it was an excellent shotgun all around. Less recoil than a 12, and every bit as potent. Especially over decoys, or on upland. It was a double barrel side by side. Boy, I wish I still had that one!!

Birder · #12 04-29-2012, 12:43 PM

I've heard that you have to be careful when buying a 16g as some companies simply used a 12g frame. The gun doesn't end up being any lighter this way. Is this true and does anyone know which models used an actual 16 frame? I think you guys have convinced me to look for a 16 again, so if anyone has one they want to get rid of let me know.

ShawnM · #13 04-29-2012, 04:31 PM

I had a 16ga pump back in the day and it was a stellar scatter gun. But I think ammo was easier to find back then. I would still be using it If the gun itself was better.

wally338 · #14 04-29-2012, 07:06 PM

I use a Remington model 58 semi auto 16 and love it for upland. I have never shot steel out of my gun as I dont think the barrel is up to it. I originally bought the gun for a deer gun when I lived in southern Ont. as I did not see the need to use a 12ga, turns out to be the best shotgun buy I ever made.

wwbirds · #15 04-29-2012, 07:27 PM

I have the original Browning in 16 as a semi auto and enjoyed it for upland especially sharptail, huns and pheasants when we would literally walk for many miles and I did not want to carry a 12 all day long.

Mine is fixed full choke as well so I won't shoot steel for ducks but heard back in the day they were great on decoyed birds over water when lead was legal.
Now I prefer the 28 to everything else I own.

wally338 · #16 04-29-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwbirds

I have the original Browning in 16 as a semi auto and enjoyed it for upland especially sharptail, huns and pheasants when we would literally walk for many miles and I did not want to carry a 12 all day long.

Mine is fixed full choke as well so I won't shoot steel for ducks but heard back in the day they were great on decoyed birds over water when lead was legal.
Now I prefer the 28 to everything else I own.

I dont have a 28 but would love pick one up in a semi. I know that is not as cool as a classic sxs or o/u but I love a semi-auto scatter gun

Mulestalker · #17 04-29-2012, 07:56 PM

I've been using my fathers 1963 Browning Sweet 16 Auto, had it in storage for 15 years but decided dust it off now and then to do a little upland huinting.
I can see why this was my fathers pride and joy, man what a beauty!, still shooting some "Canucks" dad had left but will have to pickup some "new" shot this year..

catnthehat · #18 04-30-2012, 10:10 AM

I have been told numerous times that you can 16 gauge at wholesale, BassPro, and Cabelas but every time I go I never see it.

I did se some last fall, in cabellas, but it wasn't steel and i have never seen it in any canadian Tire store i have been in.
I have however been able to get 20 gauge steel in almost any of the smaller towns i have seen such as Neerlania, the Dapp Corner Store, any candainba tire, etc.

I would not buy a 16 because it is considered the best gauge BTW,I would ONLY buy one if i wanted to shoot one.

That would be the same as me recoomending a SXS black powder gun to someone who had never shot oe before but wanted to start huntng.
cat

Pudelpointer · #19 04-30-2012, 10:40 AM

It seems like we have a little more info now

Sounds like you already have a 12, so why not use that for waterfowl and look around for a light 16 (or other) for upland?

If you are looking for a "one gun" then 12 gauge is the 30-06 of shotguns: yes, it will do everything you need it to, but where is the fun in that?

Having different shotguns for different tasks is reasonable.

marlin1 · #20 04-30-2012, 10:44 AM

I have an old single shot 16 . I only use it for gophers , magpies , and huns so steel is not needed . I have no problem finding lead but have never seen steel availible or rarely . My buddy has an old model 12 pump in 16 and that one is sweet to shoot . I personally like the 16 and likely wouldn't part with mine but I'll use my 12 for hunting waterfowl

GermanHunter · #21 04-30-2012, 11:35 AM

I have two 16 side by side( Simson 74 and an old spanish from Eibar) and a Drilling with 16 s-s barrel. Did most of my Niederwild(small game) hunting with it. Love it.
For steel I wouldn't use them. For duck I have an old auto5.

German hunter

Puma · #22 04-30-2012, 01:31 PM

I use a remingtom model 31 light weight for upland and love it. Basspro always has both shot and slugs on the shelves.

Birder · #23 04-30-2012, 08:24 PM

I do have a 12g that was gifted to me but it came in pretty rough shape. I could still use it for ducks I guess but it looks pretty shameful. I figure it gives me an excuse to look for something else (maybe a couple others if I'm lucky). From what everybody has said I will have to do a little more research into finding shells but it might come down to which gun I find that I like first a 16 or a 20g. Although I'm kinda hoping a 16 comes along first. Thanks guys.

KBF · #24 04-30-2012, 09:46 PM

As for availability of shells can be hit and miss, wholesale Lethbridge had a few boxes of 16 gauge shells for about $9 and no boxes of 20 gauge. had to go to walmart for 100box for $28 for 20ga.

ShawnM · #25 05-01-2012, 09:23 AM

Yeah I'm really sorry that this shell is going by the wayside. I loved my 16ga shotgun and would prefer that gauge over my 20ga if it were more available.

But then again I reload so the gauge isn't so important in terms of ammo availability as having guns made in a caliber I like.

catnthehat · #26 05-01-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShawnM

But then again I reload so the gauge isn't so important in terms of ammo availability as having guns made in a caliber I like.

X2! It doesn't take long to load a flat of shells for the weekend, and you can custom oad them to your specs which are often unavailable , ie. spreader loads or stuff like 7/8oz going 1,300FPS loads for the 16.

Cat

bearhunter338-06 · #27 05-01-2012, 10:40 AM

The 16 must be more popular her in B.C. I was at the Kamloops Wholesale Sports last week and they had lots of 16ga ammo. The Canadian tire and Westside Stores in Salmon Arm also have 16ga ammo, as well as the Vernon Canadian tire. Thats where I bought the steel shot shells. Not to mention Del Sellin in Vernon also.

catnthehat · #28 05-01-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearhunter338-06

The 16 must be more popular her in B.C. I was at the Kamloops Wholesale Sports last week and they had lots of 16ga ammo. The Canadian tire and Westside Stores in Salmon Arm also have 16ga ammo, as well as the Vernon Canadian tire. Thats where I bought the steel shot shells. Not to mention Del Sellin in Vernon also.

Interesting, I know there is a bit of a re-surgence and intrest in the 16 in the last while, the only reason I bought my new one however is because I don't have one in a modern gun!!

My two others are both BP cartridge guns.
Cat

bearhunter338-06 · #29 05-01-2012, 12:26 PM

I talked to a gunsmith (Dave Jennings) who has a customer who travels to Nova Scotia several times a year. He quite often comes home with a new to him 16ga. Apparently they are quite popular back east as-well.

covey ridge · #30 05-02-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I have been told numerous times that you can 16 gauge at wholesale, BassPro, and Cabelas but every time I go I never see it.

I did se some last fall, in cabellas, but it wasn't steel and i have never seen it in any canadian Tire store i have been in.
I have however been able to get 20 gauge steel in almost any of the smaller towns i have seen such as Neerlania, the Dapp Corner Store, any candainba tire, etc.

I would not buy a 16 because it is considered the best gauge BTW,I would ONLY buy one if i wanted to shoot one.

That would be the same as me recoomending a SXS black powder gun to someone who had never shot oe before but wanted to start huntng.
cat

You are right about availability. Stores like WSS and Bass in season have pallets of 12 and 20 gauge, cheap and premium, lead steel and other non toxic. As far as the 16 goes, they start the season with only a few flats of the non premium stuff. Usually only left over stuff to choose from when season starts.