Bob Nichols, Editor, Arms and Ammunition Dept., Field & Stream in a letter dated Oct 1, 1940:
As regards the 16-gauge, I think the English loaders for a long time recommended 15/16 of an ounce of shot as being about as much as the 16 could handle with "good grace." I still think the 1 1/8-ounce maximum load in the 16-gauge is a cock-eyed load- because I don't see any sense in having the 16-gauge weigh more than 6 pounds- or 6 1/4 pounds at the most- and believe me, the 1 1/8 ounce load in front of 3 drams equivalent modern smokeless powder is just too heavy in recoil for the 6-pound gun.
Dr, I am afraid I must disagree. For targets 1 oz is a fair limit for a 6lb sixteen, but for game (pheasant) I often shoot 1 1/8 and occasionally 1 1 1/4 out of my medium weight 16 (6lb).
I believe the classic rule of 96 to 1 applies for sustained shooting, half a dozen heavier loads every now and again will not kill you.
