Originally Posted By: RCC
GC,

The barrel lines of light 12s are as slim from across the room as they are no larger than most 16s as you can see from the above photos.

My point is merely that 16s, as delightful as they are, as lovely as they are, are no more so than truly light 12s.

Most of the chest thumping I hear from the 16 gauge lovers fail to recognise that and it just simply not true. The implication being that all twelves are big fat blunderbusses.

The breech comparison and the view from the butt stock are valid in as much as the view from the butt stock is the one we see most with our guns when afield.


I disagree...IF the gun is properly scaled to the gauge, the 16 definitely feels trimmer and will be lighter than it's sister in 12 gauge, presuming similar craftsmanship in the barrel making and actioning. The pictures you point out make clear that's not the case in the example you highlight here - those 16 barrels are far to thick, or appear so. If the 16 must be put on a 12 gauge frame, you are absolutely correct - no advantage.