16ga.com ~ View topic

Gents:

I had a most interesting visit yesterday with representatives of Federal Ammo on the future of 16 ga. Rather than retell the whole story here, I'll refer you to a full discussion of the issue on the "alternate" BB many of us visit.

Go to www.notssmbbs.com and enter the "firearms" section. Look at the thread titled "Whither 16 ga?" for the story.

Cheers!

OSL

Member Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 398 Location: S Fl

Maybe you have to be a member, but I'm damned if I could find a "Firearms" section.

Pete

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

2nd that

Member Joined: 09 Jun 2005 Posts: 885 Location: Wisconsin

PLUS FOUR!

Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 311

I found the firearms section but when I chose it it brought up a login screen. Someone is going to have to tell us how the discussion went.

Sorry, gents! Did not realize the Firearm section was a members only area. Embarassed

The gist of the tale is this. A Federal/Estate bigwig was down here to talk distribution with their WalMart counterparts, and we were introduced by mutual friends.

I told him that while there are some federal 16 ga loads around, distribution and availability were severely lacking. I noted the substantial upswing in 16 ga interest of late and suggested that more than "standard gameloads" should be manufactured and distributed, as I believed they would sell well. Particularly, I stated that among sporting shooters and hunters of my acquaintance both personally and via e-boards, there was a rising demand for, among other things, fast light sport loads such as a 7/8 or even 3/4 oz load at 1290-1350 fps.

He agreed that there has been a substantial uptick in 16 ga interest, but pointed out that in comparison to 12 and 20 ga, even a big uptick would still relegate 16 ga to "a dimple on the elephants' ass"... He said the position of ammo manufacturers generally was to work toward better distribution of current 16 ga product, but that introduction of new lines would require the introduction of a 16 ga gun that would interest a large number of shooters and hunters. Specifically, he mentioned that if Beretta, Benelli or both would introduce a 16 ga semi auto, this would get the attention of ammo makers.

So it sounds like we may be in the "chicken and egg" situation with respect to NEW lines of ammo as ammo makers wait on gun manufacturers and vice versa.

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 380 Location: Northeast Ohio

I admit I'm dense, but I can find no "firearms section" to hook up to the topic you referred to. I'm very interested in seeing it though, as the lack of decent reloadable hulls in the 16 is my pet peeve. I'm thankful for what we have, but we can't hold a candle to what's available to those who load the other gauges. Can anyone help me out to get to where this topic is?

Thanks.

Grouse Gunner...

See my latest post just above for a report of the discussion...

Cheers!

OSL

Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 154 Location: Kentucky

Really I don't have a big issue with the loads available for the 16 as the 1 os field loads have always done the job for me. But what just always leaves me scratching my head is the logic that must go on in ammo makers marketing sessions/meetings where they will decide "hey you know we could bring out 2-3 new loads for the 458 mag or the 416 Rigby and put full page color ads in all of the gun magazines but you know that tired old 16ga is a dead goose we should try and just kill it off we just can't make any money on that loading."
You know they have to sell many multiples of 16's times what they sell in many of the rifle calibers. I have just never understood the mind of marketing people but that was true of the ones we had at the company I use to work for.

Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 311

Member Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 348 Location: Missouri

Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 367

pre-1973 guns be able to buy BISMUTH shells?????

Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

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powderburn, I couldn't agree with you more. I suspect the difference is the profit margin on the 416 Rigby is much greater. You know at $3 a pop someone is making a nice profit.
I would love to buy a Beretta White Onyx to match my 12 ga, but then the rest of the story is that I would love to walk into most any store and be able to buy ammo for it.