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Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 4

I just haven't figured it out why 12ga and 20 ga both have 3'' chambers available and the 16ga does. Can someone please explain this for me?

I don't know. I DO know that it was done at least a little back in the early thirties or before, as I recall seeing in Scwing's Model 21 book a rare 16 bore 3" Model 21, why it never stuck, dunno, somebody on this forum will, I'll bet ya,

Duncan

Member Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 317

Who needs a 3" 16 ga. shell?

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

Kinda like the three inch 20 Embarassed

I could get more size T buckshot in there for my coyote load....

Member Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 317

Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 4

why need a 3'' 16ga?? well some companies are starting to come out with new 16ga's. That means the barrels are steel approved.....could be a great waterfowl gun. It would pattern better than a 20 ga and hold more shot.

Member Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 317

Check this thread from Jan 06'
http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=690

....thanks doc, looks like you guys picked this issue apart a year ago, that was some rich history, interesting reading, and showed some fine detective work, I knew it had at least been done by Win in the 21, but looks like some others gave it a brief whirl, as well....

Last year I purchased a new Charles Daley Field Hunter ( O/U ) that was the
last to be made in Italy. Now made by the Turks. The gun is labled for , and has 3 " chambers. I was told by the C. Daley folks that 3" , 16 ga. ammo is very popular and is available in Europe. It's reported to be loaded with 1 1/8 oz. of shot and some can be had with 1 1/4 oz ! . I've never
seen any and can't imagine a need for it. I sure wouldn't want to be the one firing an 1 1/4 load from a 6lb 4 oz. gun !

Rabbitdog

Essentially, the 16 ga 2-3/4" shell is very capable of handling the heaviest shot charge that is really useful in the bore--1-1/4 ounces. This heavy charge can reach 1275 FPS with existing smokeless propellents. I have handloaded these 16 ga. magnum loads and used them on big pheasant. They are effective past 40 yards which is more than enough range for the average wingshot, so they about all she wrote for the gauge. A 3" 16 is overkill.

The frame, the barrels, and the wrist of guns built for a 3" magnum 16 would have to be made heavier, probably in the 7-1/4 pound range. Weight is the enemy of a decent 16 ga. upland gun.

Look at the average modern 20 ga built for a 3" shell. They are overbuilt for the same reasons. In fact, the 16 ga Browning Citori and the new 16 ga. BPS pump would not exist if 20 ga guns were not so over built as they are today. Miroku was able to adapt the existing frames directly without a lot of redesigning. This should tell you something right there.

If you need more shot than 1-1/4 ounces or more velocity with that weight, a 12 ga. would be more suitable. I-1/4 ounces of shot can easily approach 1400 fps in a 12 and pattern better at that velocity too. Then there's the recoil factor to address.

But you have to ask yourself realistically, just how far can the average decent shot hit a flying game bird reliably. 40 yards is a long way to be shooting at a rapidly moving and directionally unpredictable target like a game bird. I do not see a 3 inch 16 helping matters much, only hurting them. I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

well spoken, and I heartily agree with you. Enough is enough, and we already have enough in a 2 3/4" 1 1/4oz. 2 3/4" 16 ga. cartridge (most of us will probably agree that it's MORE than enough as it is.)

bgun