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< 16ga. General Discussion ~ 16 Gauge: Big Bore or Small Bore ??? |
16 Gauge: Big Bore or Small Bore? |
Big Bore |
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Small Bore |
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41% |
[ 25 ] |
Both/It Depends |
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36% |
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Total Votes : 60 |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 6:48 am
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Member
Joined: 22 Jun 2012
Posts: 66
Location: United States
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I am going to run a little poll here. I have a lot of friends who shoot 16 gauges and consider them upland game guns. Some of these friends don't like 12 gauges or bigger. On the other end, several quail preserves around here want small bores only, and that means 20 or 28, no 16's or 12's. Still other friends use 16's for grouse hunting with spreader loads and then load them up with no. 5's for turkeys. I lean toward 16's being small bores, myself. I first heard of 16s when the owner of a quail plantation in Moultrie told my Dad to get a Parker 16 for quail hunting.
So what does the group think? I have a poll, but would love to hear what you all think as well. Hopefully, this will be fun.
Here is a photo of my Parker GH 16
[URL=http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/Mills_Morrison/media/IMG_18631_zps19946098.jpg.html]
[/URL] |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 7:48 am
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Member
Joined: 09 Jan 2013
Posts: 2172
Location: Florida
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I would consider anything smaller that a 12ga small bore . For turkey and Water Fowl the 16ga is really not the best , yes it can be done and I do it with limits ( you can do it with a 410 if want to .). To me the max load for the sixteen is 1/1/8 oz but 1 oz and smaller are ideal. I have seen 1 1/4 oz loads for 3" 20ga and 1oz loads for the 28ga does that make them a big bore ?
As a lover of the 16ga I tend to push it limits using it for Turkey , Water fowl and Deer hunting using buck shot and do quite well with it . A lot people also do this with the 20ga. But it doesn't make either one of them a big bore .
The 16ga is definitely best as an upland game gun . |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 9:00 am
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Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 9472
Location: Amarillo, Texas
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10, 12, 16 = big bore
20, 28, 410 = small bore
Just my take on things
The 16 is a big bore acting like a small bore, and that is
what the charm is about, Yeeee Hawww
Mike |
Last edited by skeettx on Sun May 18, 2014 3:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 9:58 am
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Member
Joined: 09 Jun 2005
Posts: 885
Location: Wisconsin
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I agree with Skeetex |
_________________ Life Memberships: VFW, NRA, Wis. Conservation Wardens Assoc., Wis. Waterfowl Assoc. |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 11:41 am
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Joined: 07 Apr 2007
Posts: 1624
Location: northwewst Wyoming
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Me thinks that small/big bore is not relevant because the 16 Ga. can handle everything from 3/4 oz. through 1 1/4 oz. loads. So, with upland hunting as the baseline I consider the 16 Ga. to be the perfect bore. |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 12:21 pm
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Member
Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Posts: 1338
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Last edited by mike campbell on Sun Aug 11, 2019 12:53 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 12:41 pm
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Joined: 26 Apr 2010
Posts: 3183
Location: NCWa
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If you ask Goldilocks she'll tell you that the 12 gauge is too big; the 20 gauge is too small, but the 16 gauge is just right |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 2:33 pm
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Member
Joined: 06 Nov 2005
Posts: 328
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Over an ounce of shot = Big
An ounce or less = small |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 2:59 pm
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Member
Joined: 09 Jan 2013
Posts: 2172
Location: Florida
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skeettx you forgot the almighty 8ga |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 3:56 pm
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Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2008
Posts: 451
Location: La-Tx
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16 and larger = big bore
20 and smaller= small bore |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 3:58 pm
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Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 9472
Location: Amarillo, Texas
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Well, I reload for 24 and 32 gauge, but did not mention them either.
I had to draw the line somewhere
The 8, 14, 24 and 32 gauge guns can also be quite fun.
Mike |
_________________
,
USAF RET 1971-95 |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 4:17 pm
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Member
Joined: 22 Jun 2012
Posts: 66
Location: United States
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The comments about load/shot size are well put. I will add to that there is a difference between a 26" IC/M on a light frame and a 30" F/M on a heavier frame |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 6:09 pm
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Joined: 21 May 2010
Posts: 603
Location: Victoria BC Canada
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Both; It depends.
The 16 can be loaded for heavy duty use, and for light game where there is a lot of walking. I am just a bit disappointed that it isn't more popular. If the cost of feeding this great all-round gun were lower there would be many more 16 gauge shooters. Cost kept me away from the 16 for too long. |
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Posted:
Sun May 18, 2014 6:29 pm
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Member
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
Posts: 1946
Location: Central CT
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I consider it a large bore.
Reloading for the 16 really isn't much more expensive than reloading for a 12. |
_________________ Mark |
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Posted:
Mon May 19, 2014 3:14 am
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Member
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 1943
Location: Lowcountry Ga.
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Mills, I think Mike (Campbell) is right on as well. I would consider 10 and 12 big bore. Some of my 16 gauge doubles weigh less than some classic American 20 gauges and the loads I shoot out of them range from 3/4 to 7/8 oz. I recall when wild bird quail plantations banned autos and pumps because of fear of covey extinction rises. Then came doubles only and no 12's. Owners didn't want a big pattern killing more than one bird per trigger pull. The lightweight 2 and 2.5" Brit guns in 12 might have bigger bore size than a 20, but their loads are often smaller than some folks shoot out of 20 and 28 gauge guns. I've been on dove hunts where some 28 gauge shooters are using 1 oz. loads. With gun type and gauge restrictions by some owners of plantations, it became more about appearance than reality. However, their land, their rules. Gil |
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