16ga

[Rick Roemer]

Sometimes a 16 gauge just belongs in the picture!

“Acknowledge the direct steal of Mr Romig’s signature line!”

[Alfred Houde]

I have always had a fondness for the 16 gauge. The last gun that I would ever part with is the slightly used, Ithaca Model 37 I obtained as a kid. I saved up for it and my dad filled out the paperwork (I was only 16), but I paid for it.

The last couple of seasons I have fallen for the 28 gauge, mainly because I lucked into a gun with a cast-on stock that fits and I shoot really well. It is my current Woodcock gun and did better on Grouse than I expected.

The 16 gauge is still relevant and a joy to own and shoot, provided it is an actual 16 and not a 16 gauge barrel on a 12 gauge frame.

[Stan Hillis]

I cannot imagine being at the point that I would want to use one gauge gun for all my shotgunning pursuits. I enjoy them all, with the exception of 24 and 32, from 10 down to .410.

While I'm sure I could take my 16s and do everything needed with them, I wouldn't enjoy the lack of variety as much as I do using them all. I enjoy matching payloads to gauges . . . . 1 1/4 to 1 1/8 in 12, 1 oz. in 16, 7/8 in 20, and 3/4 in 28. I make two exceptions to that. My Fox Sterlingworth Ejector regulates with 1 oz. loads at 1145 fps, and I enjoy using both 1/2 oz. (for clays) and 3/4 oz. (for doves and quail) in my .410s. Horses for courses?

The piece Craig posted above is very well written, but also verbose. I think the writer enjoys being flowery and lengthy with his prose. Kinda reminds me of other subjects people write about on the 'net.

[Reggie B]

I have a fondness for the 16.

[Andy]

I'm already having a love affair with 16's. If I had to have only ONE gauge that would be it.

[Steiner]

My O frame, Damascus, Fishtail 16 had a wonderful 2025 season.

[Double Lab]

I will agree to just about all the points made about the 16 by the previous posters. I have two 16's but they don't get shot that much. And the reason they don't get shot that much is the same reason I believe that led to their downfall. Lack of variety of good ammo. Even for us handloaders it's a struggle to find good components. Craig's post from FB sounds like it could be a Hallmark movie script. It takes a certain mindset to want to shoot these old guns and the 16ga is a subset of that mindset. If they had included the 16 in the game of registered skeet it might have had a chance. But the ammo and gun manufacturers only produce what people want. If you think your 16 is the best upland gun I certainly won't argue with you. I, like Stan, enjoy shooting different guns and the 16 is certainly one of them. But I'll admit it's third choice behind the 20 and 28 for me for just about anything that flies. YMMV.

[Clark McCombe]

I'm spoiled. The first Parker I picked up was a 16. Maybe that's what hooked me. It's not a pretty gun - but what fun to break clays! It's truly a point and shoot gun. I took one lesson from a guy who had a Kreighoff. I think he was jealous of the Parker 16 sxs.

[GH-16]

All those words in the original post to explain the simple phrase we've used forever.

"Shoots like 12--Carries like a 20"

What that post missed is the main reason for why the sixteen fell to the wayside is it wasn't included in the mix for competitive skeet shooting. For whatever reason at the time, it was determined that the 12, 20, 28 & .410 would be the official gauges and the 16 has been the red-headed step-child ever since.

Those of us who know & love the sixteen will always think of our step-child as the best of the bunch.

Personally: I've said for years." If I had to get down to one shotgun--it would be a sixteen gauge"

[Mike of the Mountain]

My first SxS was a 16. My favorite upland gun is a 16 whether it’s one of my Parkers or Lefevers. I’ve never missed a bird because of shooting a 16. To me they just feel right.

As for the article that Craig posted, I agreed with most of it except when the writer spoke of limiting choices. I’ll argue that choices for the majority of things in our world are increasing by design. As long as there is money to be made there will be a myriad of choices for us to muddle through. I will acknowledge that at one time 16g ammo was very hard to come by. Once again, the ammo manufacturers didn’t see profit outweighing investment. Fortunately that has changed, but it took a long time.

I like shooting all of my guns, but the 16 will always hold a special place in my days afield.