Originally Posted By: Mark Larson
I wonder sometimes if opinions about the 16 are affected by geography to a significant degree. East of the Rockies, a 20 is fine for grouse and quail at normal distances. I can see why people there might not see the need for a 16. West of the Rockies however, in the prairies and scab lands where chukars and huns are often had at 30-45 yds, I find a 20 lacking, while a slim 16 with a fast load of 1 or 1 1/8oz of 7's or 6's is the cat's meow.

Oink oink.


Or perhaps a 2 1/2" 12 with the same load. smile (The only reason I specify 2 1/2" is because, on average, they're lighter than 2 3/4" 12's--although you can find some lightweights there too.)

There can certainly be a problem with short-chambered guns that have very short forcing cones with a sharp taper. In some of those, you do need to shoot 2 1/2" hulls. Although one solution--which will not take a gun out of proof--would be to lengthen the cone.