16ga.com ~ View topic

I am interested in buying any vintage 16 gauge 3 inch ammo or hearing information relating to such.

email jess@jessleephotos
thanks
Jess

Member Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Posts: 460 Location: Texas

There has never been a 3 inch Magnum 16 gauge shell, although these are common for the 12 and 20 gauges. This disparity allows the 3" 20 gauge shell to carry the same payload as the 2 3/4 inch 16 gauge Magnum shell.

Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 77 Location: Lynchburg, VA

WRONG !!!!!! I'm sitting here looking at 3-- 3" 16 ga shells, all of which were made right here in the USA. I don't know if they could be classified as magnums, but they are 3" nonetheless.
You might also tell Winchester that they never produced a 3" 16 ga M21 !

Member Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Posts: 460 Location: Texas

I did not intend to offend you, maybe I should re-phrase to I personally have never seen a 16ga 3 inch gun or shell. Could you provide pictures? I am sure there are others who have not experienced this either. I searched on the net and was unable to obtain any information on either, I am definitely curious.

I must admit that I've never seen or heard of a 3" 16ga either.

Coach, could you provide more details? Regards, Byron

Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 126 Location: penna

Birdawg,
Could you tell us more about 16ga 3in.

Member Joined: 31 Aug 2007 Posts: 238 Location: Lodi, CA

Pics I grabbed when this discussion was over on the doublegunshop.com BBS

Guest

The old memory is fuzzy and I am not quite old enough to have witnessed it but, I believe that the 16 Gauge had a brief run with a 3" chamber in the mid 1950's. I believe that Winchester started it.

I believe most of the 3" 16 gauge guns and ammo were made before the 1930's

Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 728

Just because there is a "3" printed on the box doesn't mean they are 3" shells. Uncrimped 16 gauge hulls are 2-3/4" long; about 2-1/2" long when loaded and crimped. That's why 16 gauge guns chanbered for 2-3/4" shells have 2-3/4" long chambers. Did anyone measure the unfired or fired shells?

There are no domestic 3" 16 ga shells presently being made at this time. There could be some being produced in Europe by any one of the small specialty shops. It would be a typically European thing to do since custom shotguns and small independant makers are far more prevelant there. Product liability laws vary considerably from country to country (or used to prior to the formation of the EU).

There were some domestic 3" shells made by several companies here in the States prior to WWII. Back then, it was possibe to order small lots of custom made ammo from almost any of the ammo producers if one was willing to pay for it. Product liability and safety laws were far less stringent then. Today, it would not be profitable or even wise to do so.

I seriously doubt we will ever see 3 inch 16 or a 3 inch 28 gauge ammo ever made here in the States. Demand is just not there. Some things are a blessing in disguise. Consider the actual ballistic performance of our 3 inch 20 ga shell and you will know why. Except for use with modern 20 ga shotgun projectiles out of a rifeld barrel, the 3 inch 20 gauge shell is one of Winchester's worst jokes ever pulled on the average hunter. Pardon me if I don't laugh.

Thanks for all the expert information. As I said, I am interested in ammunition, guns and information about vintage 16 gauge American shotguns. This is from a historical perspective.

I do know Winchester, L.C Smith and Fox guns exist made for and chambered for 16 gauge 3".
I would imagine there were others and I would be happy to hear about them if you have information or leads on such.

I do appreciated the leads I have received by PM.
Thanks again

Guest

I stand corrected, 3" shells were introduced in the 1930's as Birdawg, stated. I have a book on Winchester's, and both the Model 12 & 21 had some guns chambered for the 3" 16 Gauge shell back in that time period.

Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 334

One of the bigger mistakes I've made is passing on a M21 16ga 3" at a gun show about 30 yrs ago. Only one I've ever seen. Price was $5000 and at that time comparable 2 3/4" 16's were going for around 2000.