A few years back I got caught up in the aura and mystique of the 16ga, and went out and bought one of the finest ever made, a 1960's Belgian A-5 sweet 16, 26inch modified choke, vent rib, round knob. Absolutely gorgeous gun, not a mark on it, but I just couldn't make myself fall in love with it. Heavier than my 20ga wingmaster, and not nearly as useful as a 12ga. Factory ammo is expensive, components are pricey, and there isn't alot of selection. I like to shoot my guns, alot, and that 16 made me bleed every time I took it to the range, and it wasn't all that magic in the field to boot, just a heavy 20.

In the end, I sold that gun for $100more than I had in it, but $300 less than it was worth[:@].


Give me a 20ga for upland work, and a 12 for everything else. A 16 has no place in my cabinet.