Back before plastic wads, credit cards and TV, most American shotgunners regarded the 10 and 12 gauges as suitable for waterfowl, the 20 as a lady's gun and the 16 as well nigh perfect for upland game. They had a good point. An oz of pellets will do well on anything smaller than a ringneck, and a properly sized 16 gauge shotgun would run maybe a half lb lighter than its 12 gauge brethren. Easy to carry, potent enough for the intended game, and used from Ga quail country to the steep and brambled hills of New England, the 16 was the most common gauge for the non waterfowler.Havilah Babcock and Burton Spiller both sang the praises of 16 gauge doubles, and their high regard for the 16 and the guns that were chambered thus still jump from the pages of their books.
And,most 16s pattern an oz of shot beautifully, an example of what a "Square Load" can do, meaning one where the shot column is about the same as the bore diameter. The Brits do the same with their 12 bore game guns and those 1 1/16 oz pheasant killer loads.
Despite all this, the 16 all but disappeared after WWII, tho plenty of fine 16 gauges came to America in GI duffles, Why?
First, the ammo companies were overextended. There were over 2000 separate loadings for shotguns in the 20s ranging from the big 10 ga to the 410.
And for the gun makers, the 16 meant a dedicated assembly line for just that bore. Not cost effective.BTW, a common 16 ga skeet load of the time was 7/8 oz of 9s.
So,the first step was to start making 16 gauges on 12 gauge frames. This meant a loss of effectiveness combined with more weight. Few went the other way,made on 20 gauge frames. These last are a joy to handle, carry like a 20 and shoot like a 12, as the saying went.
So, commercial neglect, combined with the fashion of heavy 12 gauge autos like the A-5, meant that 16s were relegated to kids' guns, or as a spare.
So why am I maundering on about this?
The fashion pendulum has swung the other way,and old name brand 16s that were until recently less expensive than their 12 and 20 ga counterparts are now oft retagged for much more.
For example, in 95 or 96 I turned down a very nice field grade A.H. Fox 16 for $500 because I simply didn't have the cash then. A similar gun was at a local shop recently for $1300, and didn't sit on the shelf long either.
The Ithaca 37 was recently re-introduced in 16 gauge,and is pleasing a new generation. Big Green has announced it's bringing out 16 gauge 870s.
Ammo is also becoming more available, tho selection is still somewhat limited. Same with components, there's less variety in wads. Still, the situation has improved, and looks to continue so.
So, those of us who hunt the uplands have a couple newer options in totable repeaters. Both of these should come in around 6 lbs, coupla oz, and handle like a rapier. If Remington gets off its Big Green whatever and produces a Special Field model 870 and/or 1100 in 16, quail and grouse hunters have cause for rejoicing.Of course, that's if they do it on a purpose built frame, or the LW 20 frame.
BTW, there's few 20s out there that will pattern an oz as nicely as most 16s, and that's almost graven on stone.7/8 oz, closer.
Questions, comments, donations?
And,most 16s pattern an oz of shot beautifully, an example of what a "Square Load" can do, meaning one where the shot column is about the same as the bore diameter. The Brits do the same with their 12 bore game guns and those 1 1/16 oz pheasant killer loads.
Despite all this, the 16 all but disappeared after WWII, tho plenty of fine 16 gauges came to America in GI duffles, Why?
First, the ammo companies were overextended. There were over 2000 separate loadings for shotguns in the 20s ranging from the big 10 ga to the 410.
And for the gun makers, the 16 meant a dedicated assembly line for just that bore. Not cost effective.BTW, a common 16 ga skeet load of the time was 7/8 oz of 9s.
So,the first step was to start making 16 gauges on 12 gauge frames. This meant a loss of effectiveness combined with more weight. Few went the other way,made on 20 gauge frames. These last are a joy to handle, carry like a 20 and shoot like a 12, as the saying went.
So, commercial neglect, combined with the fashion of heavy 12 gauge autos like the A-5, meant that 16s were relegated to kids' guns, or as a spare.
So why am I maundering on about this?
The fashion pendulum has swung the other way,and old name brand 16s that were until recently less expensive than their 12 and 20 ga counterparts are now oft retagged for much more.
For example, in 95 or 96 I turned down a very nice field grade A.H. Fox 16 for $500 because I simply didn't have the cash then. A similar gun was at a local shop recently for $1300, and didn't sit on the shelf long either.
The Ithaca 37 was recently re-introduced in 16 gauge,and is pleasing a new generation. Big Green has announced it's bringing out 16 gauge 870s.
Ammo is also becoming more available, tho selection is still somewhat limited. Same with components, there's less variety in wads. Still, the situation has improved, and looks to continue so.
So, those of us who hunt the uplands have a couple newer options in totable repeaters. Both of these should come in around 6 lbs, coupla oz, and handle like a rapier. If Remington gets off its Big Green whatever and produces a Special Field model 870 and/or 1100 in 16, quail and grouse hunters have cause for rejoicing.Of course, that's if they do it on a purpose built frame, or the LW 20 frame.
BTW, there's few 20s out there that will pattern an oz as nicely as most 16s, and that's almost graven on stone.7/8 oz, closer.
Questions, comments, donations?
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