New to me 16VH

Jay Oliver · 12-05-2018, 05:44 PM

This is my first 16 gauge Parker. A VH made in 1907 on a #1 frame with 30" barrels choked M/F. In one of the pictures you can see a 2 on the forend and on the barrels where the forend connects. These must be the second set of barrels...it would be nice to run across the first set.

The gun shot well. It looks like someone tried to clean up the wood at some point there also looks to be varnish or lacquer over some of the metal parts and frame. I don't want to rush and clean anything, but my guess that would come off without too much effort.

It is nice to finally have a 16

Double Lab · 12-05-2018, 05:56 PM

Nice Jay. Love those 30" barrels. Post on the lost and found thread with the s/n to maybe locate those extra set of barrels.

Randy Roberts · 12-05-2018, 06:17 PM

If I am reading that serial number correctly of 145954 the book shows it has having no extras, meaning no set of second barrels. Of course they could have been added at a later date. Have you ordered a letter? A great gun in either case, you're going to love the 16 gauge. Congrats and enjoy.

Jay Oliver · 12-05-2018, 07:54 PM

I will order a letter. It will be interesting to see if it mentions the second set of barrels.

I did enjoy shooting and learning it today. In addition to 2 1/2 RSTs I shot some regular 2 3/4 inch 1oz. 1165fps shells and there wasn't much difference in recoil. I tried a RST 1oz. loads that is 1200fps that work well. My favorite though was the 7/8oz. loads at 1125fps.

I need to put some more time in, but I like this gun. The more I shoot tighter chokes the more I like them(I wasn't always this way...). I usually can figure out the close targets and also feel confident on the far away ones. Today I had a station with 2 fairly close fast crossing targets, I used spreaders and hit them both, but then tried regular shells and hit them just fine after a little fine tuning.

Randy Roberts · 12-05-2018, 07:58 PM

It's an addiction or so I have been told. What's the chamber length of your gun ?

Kenneth Jones (Kenny) · 12-05-2018, 08:25 PM

Jay,
Morris Baker gave me a few of the 3/4 OZ 2-1/2" loads to try last summer at a SXS shoot in Pa. Told me to use them first then go to the 7/8 OZ that I purchased. I was impressed with the low recoil and was still hitting the pigeons!
You will enjoy that gun.

Mills · 12-05-2018, 08:31 PM

I just got a VH 16 too. I want a 0 frame but it is a 1 frame. Should be good for John Truitt's 16 gauge event

6pt-Sika · 12-05-2018, 08:40 PM

Nice gun ! I bought a pair of 16’s from the same guy in the mid 80’s . A Trojan and a VH 30” with a straight grip . Often wish I had that VH back .

Jay Oliver · 12-05-2018, 10:13 PM

The chambers on the gun are just a bit longer than 2 1/2, around 2 9/16, which is what I believe they used back then.

I had a box of 3/4 16s from RST that a shot a few from today. Yes they were nice and seemed to do just as well as the others, though I didn't shoot too many of them. I definitely will as I shoot this gun more.

William Davis · 12-06-2018, 05:57 AM

Save your RST empty’s. Hodgdon has 2 1/2 inch 3/4 and 7/8/oz loads on their web site. 3/4 in a tight choked Parker is sweet. Have some 7/8 on hand you are set.

Willam