doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com popularity of 16 guage shotguns

As already stated, ammo problems are a myth. True, you can't walk into Wally world and find a selection that rivals 12's and 20's- often you can't find any. But a little planning and foresight go a long way. RST will sell you just about anything you could want, and their hulls reload well. Components are readily available, as are more recipes than you could ever digest.

I belong to the 16 Ga Society, and my first response to the original post was, "You're kidding, right?" Dig's observation of the strength in sales and their "sought after status" lends a more empirical angle to my personal observations and proclivities. I don't shoot many targets, but it is always with a 16, and usually my 3/4 oz reload. Yes, even sporting clays. Amazing how far out you can definitively break targets with that small of a load. I also use that load on dove and quail, and it is a delight to shoot.

I don't have a lot of guns, in smoothbore three sxs 16's, and one 12 that I use for turkey and waterfowl.

Is the 16 gaining in popularity? Certainly in the circles I wander.

Mike

I was wrong, I have seven. I can't belive I forgot my 1950's era Masquelier importd by Paul Jaeger of Jenkintown PA.

1922 Fox SW, A. Ilsley, 1949 Ithaca M37R, 1959 Ithaca M37, Win. M12 1959.

Gene Hill Shotgunner's Notebook "The Sixteen-Still Sweet"

"If I were to sit down and make a list of what might be the ideal requirements for an upland gunner's shotgun, my idea would include a few facts and a few fancies. An ounce of shot ought to be enough, and 2 1/2 drams of powder plenty to propel it. That dictates a gun that weighs no more than six or six-and-a-half pounds; light enough to carry, quick enough to swing, yet with enough weight to have an essential momentum for smoothness and to take the bite from the recoil.

Another essential of my upland gun is that it appeal to the eye as well as to the hand. A straight or half-pistol grip, a delicate slimness to the receiver and barrels, and one or two triggers, depending on your preference. No harm in a bit of engraving to relieve the eye and add a touch of distinction, and we could carry this a bit further and checker the end of the buttstock or fit a skeleton bit of metal for protection against wear and handling. And what would we have? That almost-forgotten darling of a few generations past: the 16-gauge."

You also just described a light English 12b game gun. At 6lb, 8oz, they are pretty nice too. I really like 1 oz loads in them too!

True, Buzz. But it's not just weight, some other numbers are just unavoidable: 729, 662.

Cheers,

Mike

Not quite Buzz -- Mike has it right, twelves are missing that slimness of barrels.

Jay

If you reload, the 12 has significant and unquestionable advantages over the 16. Because I like to shoot my guns a lot, after a very long love affair with the 16, I came to the conclusion that a light 12 makes more sense for me.

Re popularity, I recently had the occasion to look at gun preferences reported by the members of LODGH (Loyal Order of Dedicated Grouse Hunters) 30 years ago vs currently. Back in the early 80's, 9% of those who completed the survey shot the 16. The most recent survey, looking at the 3 states with the largest number of cooperators (MI/WI/PA), 12% used the 16. So it's at least holding steady, although I might have expected to see more gain. The real jump in popularity among grouse and woodcock hunters came in those who use the 28ga: from just over 1% 30 years ago to almost 16% today. The 20ga remains the most popular choice (as it was then), from just under 50% 30 years ago to just over that mark today. The 12ga has lost a lot of favor, dropping from being favored by 40% to just over 20% today.

" As an example a 16 gauge model 21 Winchester will bring more $$ than a 12, all other aspects being equal."

The reason is that more 12's were built than 16's and the Model 21 is a collectors game for the most part.

Post war M37 16 barrels are significantly heavier than pre war barrels.

I have ordered three bespoke 16's, A 6# 0.1 oz Bruchet/Darne, 5# 9 oz CSMC Fox and an AyA #2 which I never actually took delivery as they built the wrong frame.
They were ordered just because. They could have just as easily been 20's.

There is no doubt that the 16 has gained in popularity in the last decade or so, you just have to seperate out the $$ valuation due to collectability from the actual popularity.-Dick

Very interesting thread! Two years ago I picked up a Merkel 1620 EL when I was in the LL Bean gunroom in Maine. As soon as I picked it up I knew I had to have one - it was a delicious gun. The Bean price was very high and they wouldn't budge a dime so I got one somewhere else, had the stock fitted to me and it has become my favorite gun for upland birds. The Merkel 1620 is built on their 20ga frame and my 1620 is lighter than my Merkel 20ga which I rarely use anymore.

It's the only 16 ga I own but it's the gun I shoot most. I get most of my shells from B&P.

Bull.

Just recently one of our good friends photographed his measuring tape against the breech of his favorite 16 and posted them on the other board. I did the same with the first two light twelves that came to hand when I reached into the safe and if you remember there was less than 3 mm difference.

I defy anyone to identify 3mm difference from the butt end of a mounted gun.

And just for the record, I own a number of 16s as well and while they may be slim compared to some 12s, there are many fine light 12s that will rival them in sleekness and if you will, sexiness.

My Lindner FW, at 5 pounds 9 ounces shames many 16s and my Lindner Diamond grade at 6 aand 8 is certainly as light as most 16s, if not lighter.