16ga.com ~ View topic

Just saw an article posted today by Phil Bourjaily on Field & Stream at http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/the-gun-nuts/why-is-the-16-gauge-dying?src=SOC&dom=fb

He has a nice plug for 16ga.com

Jeff

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

Too many folks are misled by so called authors,writers and "gun experts" that the 16 is either dead,forgotten or useless that is has gotten a bum wrap.Nice to see a good article once in awhile Cool

Member Joined: 25 Oct 2010 Posts: 199 Location: NJ

16 seems to be just the right one for those of us who like the history and the challenge of getting the gun and the load matched to the game.

During my formative shotgun years, I believed bigger was better, the more shot in the air and the tighter the pattern was the only way to go. Now, my SxS 16 GA is perfect for all upland hunting with payloads ranging from 3/4, 7/8, 1, and 1 1/8 oz. Notice I didn't include 1 1/4 oz. because my pattern board tells me it is unnecessary.

I've read that same article about 50 times by 50 different writers. In the end he basically says a light 12 will do everything a 16 will do and more, and weigh the same or less, so why bother with a 16? It's like the old saying...if I have to 'splain it to you you'll never understand.

As an aside, I'm reading a book by Phil and his father Vance called Fishing by Mail, letters between the two about their fishing experiences. Witty, humorous and entertaining.

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1377 Location: Denver, Colorado

I've never seen a 20 that would do the job that a 16 does. I have, however, seen some 12s that might. Ever handle or shoot an English 2-inch gun?

I've never held a light 12 that still didn't still feel like a 12 in my hands. A light 16 however, is just perfect.

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1377 Location: Denver, Colorado

2 inch 12, 28 tubes, 14 3/4 LOP, 5lbs5. Clubby?

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Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1377 Location: Denver, Colorado

2 inch 12 over a Scottish 16. The little Scotty weighs in a 6lbs even. The 12 is more than half a pound lighter and has longer tubes (by one inch).

[URL=http://s135.photobucket.com/user/lamiii/media/2-inchvrs16.jpg.html]

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Every English 2" 12, be it an H&H or a Grant or whatever, carries all the panache of the maker's name and tho often designed for folks of smaller stature, I would expect the dimensions would favor those with larger hands.
If 7/8 ounce is a goal then the 2" 12 would appear to make a dandy choice, especially for a woodcock scattergun.
Moreso than a 16 or smaller, imo....for the reference bulk of the barrels against an alder background alone.

Beyond that, the proportions of a well-struck 16 is often a bit more esthetically pleasing to the eye of many beholders than a 12 of any hidden chamber length.

Lightweight, itself, is routinely overrated in an upland scattergun.

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1377 Location: Denver, Colorado

Tramroad: This particular gun isn't only light, it is quite dynamic as well. "Unbelieveable" is the word I hear most commonly used in it's presence. I just wanted to help dispell the notion that these guns were "clubby" and/or poorly proportioned.

Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 694 Location: MN

So I have to shoot a 2" gun to get a lively 12 gauge? Why not shoot a 28 if you want to shoot 7/8oz? Laughing

If you look at the number of used 16 gauge guns being sold in the Euro markets, its pretty clear that the 16 gauge was, at one time, a "go to" game gun. I suspect that the competitive shooting sports did more than anything else to suppress the 16 gauge. That and the marketing advantage that "bigger is better".

Guest

Lively loses is luster pretty quick in my hands when the angles, distance and speed ramp up. Sure feel great tho.

I think there's a lot to ergonomics and weight distribution.