16ga

[Andy]

I can find 16g ammo just fine. It's expensive and very testy so that pretty much rules out the vintage guns. With Longshot, Perfect Pattern and powders and wads available it isn't hard to grab a single stage press and load what you like, especially if you thought ahead and kept about six gazillion RST hulls like I did. That being said, BP usually has primed Cheddite hulls so the ammo argument never held water with me. If you're a competitive shooter perhaps but then again you'll usually have a modern O/U. As far as the 28g goes, I DO BELIEVE that is GOD'S preferred gauge. I love them. But I'm a sinner so don't have one (in a Parker) yet.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by Andrew Sacco

I can find 16g ammo just fine. It's expensive and very testy so that pretty much rules out the vintage guns. With Longshot, Perfect Pattern and powders and wads available it isn't hard to grab a single stage press and load what you like, especially if you thought ahead and kept about six gazillion RST hulls like I did. That being said, BP usually has primed Cheddite hulls so the ammo argument never held water with me. If you're a competitive shooter perhaps but then again you'll usually have a modern O/U. As far as the 28g goes, I DO BELIEVE that is GOD'S preferred gauge. I love them. But I'm a sinner so don't have one (in a Parker) yet.

Andy, there was a time in the 80s-90s that 16g ammo was very hard to find. I couldn’t find it in any of our local hardware stores and gun shops. First time I found a quantity for sale was around 91-92 when Shawmut Distributors had some. I still have some of those boxes of hunting loads.

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Mike Koneski

Andy, there was a time in the 80s-90s that 16g ammo was very hard to find. I couldn’t find it in any of our local hardware stores and gun shops. First time I found a quantity for sale was around 91-92 when Shawmut Distributors had some. I still have some of those boxes of hunting loads.

My dad fell for that too. I still have a case of 1980s vintage Remington hunting loads. Plastic hulls with fiber wads. Too hot for my liking

[edgarspencer]

All this talk about 2.5" 16s on the for-sale thread reminded me, I still have a Belgian Browning auto loader. That only takes 2.5 also. I completely forgot I still had that gun because I recall my son saying he wanted it. Being a southpaw, I never liked shooting them.

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

All this talk about 2.5" 16s on the for-sale thread reminded me, I still have a Belgian Browning auto loader. That only takes 2.5 also. I completely forgot I still had that gun because I recall my son saying he wanted it. Being a southpaw, I never liked shooting them.

Edgar, are you're sure it's not 2 9/16" chambers?

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

My dad fell for that too. I still have a case of 1980s vintage Remington hunting loads. Plastic hulls with fiber wads. Too hot for my liking

The only shells we could find were those “booger breaker” game loads and they were snotty! (See what just happened there?) Most guys wouldn’t think of shooting them out of a vintage double. They’d most likely be fine for hunting. A few shots over the course of a day. But I wouldn’t subject old stocks to that pounding in a round of clays.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Mike Koneski

Andy, there was a time in the 80s-90s that 16g ammo was very hard to find. I couldn’t find it in any of our local hardware stores and gun shops. First time I found a quantity for sale was around 91-92 when Shawmut Distributors had some. I still have some of those boxes of hunting loads.

Back in those days I was in Philthy going to school and all I owned was 20g. I am well aware of why it isn't as popular. In my mind all shotguns are to be loved : )

[Michael D Hankinson]

I have always loved the 16G, have a pair of Model 12s, Light and Heavy, two side by sides and have plenty of Ammo, One of the side by sides is 2-1/2" so got that when I purchased that gun. 8 Boxes from the prior owner and then from other suppliers and from Gun shows. I retired back in 1998 and the older gun shows had plenty of 16s for dirt cheap prices. Now at 82 I know my sons will have to carry some of the out of the gun room down the road.

[James L. Martin]

I have had many 16ga guns over the years, killed many birds with them.I am down to only 2 at this time, A Parker GH 30" a real nice gun and my Merkel that I've had for near 40 years, she has 29 3/16 " barrels, weight of 6lb 7oz ,handles like a dream and has killed many grouse and woodcock over the years. I may be hooked on the 28-gauge at the moment but I still love the 16ga.

[BRDHNTR]

Shot my 16 ga VH that I had Larry DelGrego restock a dz or so yrs ago. Received many favorable comments from the club members that I usually shoot skeet with. Some have asked me
to will it to them when I pass but I tell them it's a family gun and one of my 2 grandsons will get it when I pass. Oh this 16 brings back so many fond memories.