16ga.com ~ View topic - Looking for options/suggestions for 16 gauge

Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 162 Location: York, PA

I am doing more pheasant hunting than grouse/woodcock these days and believe that 16 gauge is perfect for pheasant (and not too bad for grouse). I've been using my 16 gauge upland special, but the balance seems a little too forward to me. I just posted a topic asking about the current availability for a Browning Superlite Feather in 16 gauge. I have a Superlite Feather in 20 gauge and I absolutely love the way it carries and handles. The list price for a Superlite Feather is about $2400. What other shotguns, either O/U or S/S have similar weight/handling (I prefer English stocks) in 16 gauge in this same price range?

Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 1460 Location: Eagle, Nebraska

You have a Citori Upland in 16ga? That will work on pheasants. Have one in 12ga, that was my only shotgun (primarily pheasant and quail) for long time until I could afford 16ga's.
SxS in that price range will be tough, Urgatechea maybe. Unless you are ok with some older used sxs. You can find good utilitarian field guns out there for 2k and under.
Parkers, LC's, etc.

Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 162 Location: York, PA

Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Posts: 1358 Location: Twin Cities, MN

Used German guns are an excellent value. I shoot pheasants with a Simson made in 1925. Excellent value and very high quality. Here's a nice o/u.

http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/shotguns-16-gauge/belgian-beautifuly-built-16g-o-u-with-double-triggers-100-engraved-.cfm?gun_id=100773294

My Merkel 200E 16 gauge is 6lb 3oz and wonderfully balanced as well. Most of these guns will have double triggers, so you have to be able to shoot them. Most people learn to use them rather quickly.
Regards,
Jeff

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2349 Location: West MI

Could you put a little counter balance weight under the pad/plate?

Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 162 Location: York, PA

Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 162 Location: York, PA

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2349 Location: West MI

Remove the 2 screws that hold the butt plate on and you'll find a hole that houses the stock bolt under the plate, its common practice and a convenient place to add weight to a gun. I put a chunk of foam in first to protect the stock bolt head then dump some lead shot in and back up with more foam to hold/compress it in place under the plate/pad.

if you want to mess with trial and error to find what feels best to you, use removable painters tape to add and subtract weight to the outside of the stock until you have it where you want it then add the equivalent amount of weight into the butt stock, good to go.

I use my 16ga Citori Upland for Upland and Duck Hunting and any clay games I have access to and with the right choke and load combo the gun does surprisingly well, the issue lie's with the nut behind the bolt. Very Happy

If interested in a new modern manufactured 16ga SxS look at Dickinson. I have the box lock version with 28 " barrels they are straight stocked and very well made. I have an Upland Special as well and I hit better with the SxS. They can be had with single triger and are a huge value, running $1500 to $2500. can be special ordered so you can use your stock measurements when the stock is made.

Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 162 Location: York, PA

Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 162 Location: York, PA

Dannyboy175, says, "...I've been using my 16 gauge upland special, but the balance seems a little too forward to me... "

If I'm not mistaken, the 16 ga. Citori Upland Special is built on a steel frame and has 24" barrels. Please be advised. My 26" 16 ga standard Superlight model (steel frame) has a very well balanced between the hands feel, and weighs just about 6.5 pounds dead on the money.

Adding 2 inches of barrel is going to shift the balance forward. Going w/ the Ultralight version w/ an alloy block is going to further increase the forward balance feel.

I shoot all my Citori Superlight and Lightning models with my forward hand at about the same distance as my grip hand is to the hinge pin (which seems to be the balance point on my guns give or take an inch or so). This gives my guns a very between the hands feel w/o any very noticible forward balance. You may try simply finding the balance point on your present gun and shifting your fore end hand a bit further forward if you need to before modifying the gun's balance. Easily worth a try IMO.

Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 1460 Location: Eagle, Nebraska

If it is too front heavy, you can send it to me, I will use it.
I have a Scheel's "special" 26" alloy frame, rounded pistol grip with schabel forend, it works, but always have room for a 16ga Upland !!!

Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 162 Location: York, PA

Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 162 Location: York, PA