One reason the Brits focused on lighter loads for the 16ga: 2 1/2" chambers. That being said, even when the standard chamber length for the 16ga in this country was 2 9/16", a 1 1/8 oz load was available. And in 1940, the conversion from 2 9/16" to 2 3/4" chambers as standard had only taken place very recently. But our 16's, in general, have always been built heavier than Brit 16's. It's a pretty rare American 16 that weighs much under 6#.
My first classic double was a pre-WWII Sauer 16. I never put that gun on a scale, but I doubt it went much over 6#. Had the chambers punched to 2 3/4" (LONG before I knew better) and shot a whole lot of pheasants with that gun, mostly with the high brass 3 DE, 1 1/8 oz loads. Didn't shoot a lot of targets back then, but when I did, I reloaded the standard 1 oz formula for the 16. Not at all unpleasant for a couple rounds of skeet.
Last edited by L. Brown; 06/09/16 09:45 AM.
