Is the 16 becoming more popular? It sure seems that way. I see them at the range more often, and on gun racks as well, not to mention all the chatter on the internet about them. This thread is a testament to that as well, at six pages and still going.

I have a 30" 6.6lb lightly struck damascus Lefever 12, and a 30" heavy struck steel barreled 7lb Lefever 16, originally a duck gun. The 12 is lighter than its 16 cousin and slim for a 12, but still feels slightly larger than the 16. There's just no way around that. The 16, even at 7lbs, is my go to gun because it just feels right in my hands. I shoot it better than my 5.7lb 16 hammer gun as well, even though that gun is a very light little wand. Probably due to the long slim sighting plane and excellent follow through from the heavier barrels.

There is no denying that light 12's are very effective, but there is also no denying the "goldilox" just right subjective handling qaulities and effectiveness of a slim 16. And, with 16 ammo readily available to anyone who cares to look for it, I see no particular advantage in a light 12 over a similar weight 16 when shooting 1oz. loads.

Last edited by Mark Larson; 06/27/12 07:25 PM.
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