16ga

[Victor Wasylyna]

Originally Posted by Paul Ehlers

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

The 16ga would likely be my choice if I could only have one shotgun. (I sure hope I never have to pick just one shotgun.)

-Victor

[Andy]

A handful of 26" guns on 0 frames for grouse and bogsuckers
A tightly choked Trojan for squirrels and creek ducks
A GH (a bit heavier) for pheasant
An A5 for three bird sporting
About 4-5 others just because....what else does one need?

[Chris Pope]

I have read and studied each of these posts on this thread and, after much analysis, have come to the conclusion that God created the 16 to fulfill the need to accumulate more stuff to make shooting/hunting more fun.

(:

[Mike of the Mountain]

Here’s a couple of Parker 16s after a successful hunt.

[Phil Yearout]

I've related my fondness for the 16 so many times and in so many places that it's become a cliche. My dad shot a Savage 16 - a "poor man's A5" - and when I got old enough to shoot a real shotgun it was that one. It was the only gun I owned and when years later I went in search of my first sxs shotgun it had to be a 16ga. And it was. I have 12's and 20's and even a little .410, but if I'm afield it's likely a 16 hanging in the crook of my arm. I've never lauded it as superior or cared what anyone else shoots; I just like 'em. I've got four now. and if I coulda ever found a 16ga SBT I'd probably be shooting it too. I've been a member at 16ga.com since its inception, but frankly I've never cared a whit whether the 16 lived or died. I've got enough ammo stockpiled to last my remaining days, so...

This is the gun that started it for me; thanks Pop...

[Dan Di Stefano]

Out with my 1902 28” O frame VH 16g looking for some NY Woodcock this past October. Feel fortunate I was started young on a 16g as my first hunting gun. Life would be so strange otherwise .

[DavidCook]

Originally Posted by Phil Yearout

I've related my fondness for the 16 so many times and in so many places that it's become a cliche. My dad shot a Savage 16 - a "poor man's A5" - and when I got old enough to shoot a real shotgun it was that one. It was the only gun I owned and when years later I went in search of my first sxs shotgun it had to be a 16ga. And it was. I have 12's and 20's and even a little .410, but if I'm afield it's likely a 16 hanging in the crook of my arm. I've never lauded it as superior or cared what anyone else shoots; I just like 'em. I've got four now. and if I coulda ever found a 16ga SBT I'd probably be shooting it too. I've been a member at 16ga.com since its inception, but frankly I've never cared a whit whether the 16 lived or died. I've got enough ammo stockpiled to last my remaining days, so...

This is the gun that started it for me; thanks Pop...

That is the exact same gun that started me !! I still have it. It was my dad's gun. When I restored the wood, I found a happy birthday note from a lady who had bought it new for her (I assume) husband in 1952. I know the entire provenance of it. It has been around for as long as I could remember (I was born in 57) so I am going to make a fairly educated guess that my dad bought it from the original owner.

I recently restored the wood, put in new friction rings and recoil spring. The blueing is still good.

[Phil Yearout]

Originally Posted by DavidCook

That is the exact same gun that started me !! I still have it. It was my dad's gun. When I restored the wood, I found a happy birthday note from a lady who had bought it new for her (I assume) husband in 1952. I know the entire provenance of it. It has been around for as long as I could remember (I was born in 57) so I am going to make a fairly educated guess that my dad bought it from the original owner.

I recently restored the wood, put in new friction rings and recoil spring. The blueing is still good.

Nice! You're 10 years younger than I. My dad bought two identical guns, both in 16ga; my oldest brother got the other one. He gave his to one of his sons and tried for years to buy dad's gun from me for the other son, but I just wasn't ready to turn loose of it. I finally gave it to my nephew on a trip a couple years ago, and I regret that I didn't do it while my brother was still around to see it; he would have liked that.

[DavidCook]

Originally Posted by Phil Yearout

Nice! You're 10 years younger than I. My dad bought two identical guns, both in 16ga; my oldest brother got the other one. He gave his to one of his sons and tried for years to buy dad's gun from me for the other son, but I just wasn't ready to turn loose of it. I finally gave it to my nephew on a trip a couple years ago, and I regret that I didn't do it while my brother was still around to see it; he would have liked that.

Some pics to share:

[Alfred Houde]

It goes through periods of popularity or a brief resurgence and then is pushed aside in favor of something else.

As long as young folks keep getting involved in hunting and shooting, they will discover it and keep it alive. The 28 gauge would not be my first, second, or third choice for waterfowl, but with advancements in ammunition it is the "It Girl" of the moment.

Browning is still listing the 16 for 2026, so people are buying them.