16ga???
 

I am about to invest in another shotgun and am considering a SxS 16ga. My quarry would be quail, dove, squirrels and rabbits. No form of big game what so ever. My question is will I miss my 12ga when I tote this gun and for the species listed, is there anything that the 12 can do that the 16 can't?

Josh

RE: 16ga???
 

pyral - Although I can't really help you with the rodents, I can tell you that the 16ga is probably the ultimate all-around shotgun for upland birds. There is something special about the balance and feel of a 16ga, something that can only be described as, "sweet."

Many folks who carry them (myself included) are fond of saying that the 16ga "carries like a twenty but hits like a twelve."

RE: 16ga???
 

Perfect size. I use a 16 ga. Ithaca 37 about 70 percent of the time. Switch off sometimes with a 20 ga. SXS or a 20 ga. Rem. 870 Wingmaster. One thing, I wouldn't get a 16 ga. on a 12 ga. frame. No real benefit when it comes to weight. Might as well go with the 12. Recoil wise, generally there's little difference.

RE: 16ga???
 

When buying shells, seems like sporting good stores are always stocked up for 12ga. but not for the 16ga. [:-]

RE: 16ga???
 

i use a 16 ga and it is the best gun ever!!!!!!!!:D
i have used it for upland deer duck goose rabbits squirrels coyote fox ect....

RE: 16ga???
 

It won't be quite as good for pass shooting the doves, but it will suffice. You will be faced with less selection and slightly higher costs for shells with the 16. I like mine for quail, grouse, rabbit, and squirrel. A 20 would work for these also. When you start talking pheasant, duck, goose, or pass shooting, the 12 has a 'leg-up'.

However, having one shotgun in each gauge with each type of action is a goal:D

RE: 16ga???
 

I carry an ithaca 16 sxs about 90% of the time and you can't get me to put it down when it comes to upland birds of any kind. as robinhood stated ammo selection at the local sporting goods store may be abit thin. I started reloading the 16 yrs. ago and if you want a variety you can buy from ballistic products they sell quite afew different loads for the 16. also when I'm not carring my sxs I have a ithaca model 37 16 i carry some

RE: 16ga???
 

The 16ga is a great allaround hunting gun. I use a browning sweet sixteen for all my upland hunting and duck hunting. Also on rabbits and sporting clays. I use a Ithaca model 37 16ga for all my deer hunting.

RE: 16ga???
 

I would love to have a 16gauge in an O/U or semi-auto. I know the Remington 1100 has 16g now but am not a big fan of the 1100. Anyone know of who else makes a 16gauge?

Mathewsconquest2

RE: 16ga???
 

i use to have a winchester 16 ga by grandpa bought if from a friend and never shot for 8 years. He liked his 12 ga winchester auto to much for pheasant. I shot it about 20 times killed 3 squrriel didnt shoot good slugs but it had a good waterfowl pattern. But i dont hunt upland bird. I use a 12 for rabbit and dove. I geuss my point is i'd rather have a 12 ga.

RE: 16ga???
 

http://www.ithacagun.com/

They have some nice 16s, model 37 is just a perfect all around shotgun...

RE: 16ga???
 

What you're talking about hunting, I would even go with a 20 gauge. For any of those game a 20, 16, or 12 gauge will work fine. If you like the gun and it fits you....get it.

RE: 16ga???
 

12ga is much better than the 16ga cuz it has a bigger pattern,longer range ,and the 16ga is a much more exspensive shell it also is harder to find

RE: 16ga???
 

another thing to consider pyral, you can only get 2 3/4 inch shells for the 16, (chuckhawks.com check this out lotsa good info) so it is going to be less versatile than a 12 or even a 3 inch magnum receiver 20. although if you only want a gun for what you've listed you should be fine.

RE: 16ga???
 

The 12 does not have a larger pattern than a 16 gauge nor a longer range. An IC or modified pattern is the same size regardless of gauge. The only difference is the pattern density if you're shooting a larger payload in one gun over the other. If you shoot a one ounce load out of a 12 or 16 the patterns will be the same density and size at the same distance given the same choke size. Where the 12 outshines the 16 is in payload. You can easily shoot 1 1/4 oz. shells and larger in the 12 but you're pushing it with the 16. I personally shoot 1 oz. of shot out of my 16 for all upland birds. I shoot 1 1/8 oz. of 5's, though.

I spent all day Sunday shooting 30 patterns of different chokes and shot sizes out of two identical 16 gauges and two different 12 gauges and everything I said above proved to be absolutely true. I will also say that not one of the shotguns had a decent pattern at 40 yards with a modified choke. We did not shoot anything larger than a modified, though.

The 16 gauge shell is getting easier to find but your choices are severely limited. I would not recommend a 16 gauge as a primary gun to anyone that doesn't reload. Most factory shells are loaded to maximum and will knock the snot out of you.

RE: 16ga???
 

does any of you guys know where i can get a skeleton barrel for my 16 guage

RE: 16ga???
 

I use my browning sweet 16 for most all pheasant, partridge, wood cock, & rabbit hunting. It was the first gun I ever learned to shoot on and always gets the job done.