I don't have or shoot a 16 myself, but yesterday at the skeet range (Prince George's County Trap & Skeet Center, Maryland), I shot with a man who was using a Winchester 21 in 16 ga. It was a plain (unengraved) but near-pristine one with beautiful wood -- the owner thought that the stock work had probably been redone. It had a beavertail foreend and a single trigger. The shooter was doing quite well with it. It's the only 16 ga. Model 21 I've ever seen.

[This message has been edited by LE270 (edited 03-19-2002).]

I have 3 16's one a Ithica 37 fl with a poly choke I got from my Dad, the other two are Drillings with a 9.3X72R rifle. One is a hammer gun which I have never used and the other a pre WWII, which I took to Africa last fall and took my Blue Duiker with 0 Buckshot. A Blue Duiker is a Pygmie Antelope weighing in at about 8 to 10 lbs. great little guys to hunt.

I've got a 16 Gauge Ithaca Model 37 Featherweight. It was given to me by my dad on my 12th birthday. He's long gone, but the Ithaca will always be here. I've shot many a dove with it. ~Jeff

I had a 16 gauge Citori with english stock and 24 inch barrels. I sold that and bought a 1948 LC Smith Ideal with 2 3/4" chambers, 26 inch barrels and beavertail forearm; a beautiful gun. It started to develop the common crack in the stock behind the sidelock so I traded it for a Rizzini FAIR 16 gauge which I have yet to shoot.

I hunted exclusively with the Elsie and loved it. I shot some over the counter shells but mainly reloaded for it to keep the pressures down. My favorite over the counter shells were Fiocchi 1 oz. 6's although I found out the pressure was over 10,000 psi. Very deadly on sharptails.

The 16 gauge is definitely on a comeback.

I have a Browning sweet sisteen that I bought in high school. It has languished in the safe for years in favoe of double 20's & 28's. I have really become a fan of SXS and thought a 16 would be perfect for early grouse and pheasants. A client sold me a Parker VHE 16ga skeet gun. It has a strait stock and single trigger. Now onlt 5mos to grouse season!. I'll probably only use factory ammo.

Hey folks,

I have two old Ithaca Model 37s, a Winchester Model 12, and some old SXS my father gave me a long time ago. The Ithacas are as smooth as glass, and I usually use the oldest one which happens to look like a new stainless steel gun.

Many years ago, I was going to re-blue the gun, so I polished it to a fine shiny in the white finish. When I looked at that shiny Ithaca, it looked so pretty I decided to leave it in the white. My other 16 ga. Ithaca is about the same age, but the original blue finish looks like it is brand new. There you have it, two 16 ga. Ithacas, one white and one blue - both great. Invariably, when I take the white one out to shoot somewhere, I get questions about my stainless steel Ithaca.

The Model 12 and the SXS pretty much just sit there for looks; the Ithacas are my first choice. I do not hunt, but I like to scare claybirds as they fly on their way.

I reload 12, 16, and 20 guage shotshells. For the 12 and 16s, I use two Hornady 366 progressive reloaders, and for the 20, I use a MEC 650 Junior.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

I am going to buy Brno ZH o/u 16 gauge shotgun with both 3/4 chokes for about 150U$D, extractors only, about 200 shells fired, 90%+ condition. What do you think about it ??? I belive it could be enought for pheasants and ducks.

Jiri

Hi!
I just bought a Merkel 50E SbS 16 guage.
It has an english stock, beaver forend, 1/4 and 1/2 choke. The barrels are steel shot certified.

I will certanly use it both for clay busting and hunting.

Regards//

Interesting thread! I have - really, I “had” - a little sixteen Browning three-shot 16 ga that my father bought new in 1930. The gun still sits in my safe but it really belongs to my 3yr old grandson. I only hope he can use and enjoy it as much as I have when he grows up. This gun has a 28” modified barrel and shoots really well. Originally chambered for the old 2 9/16” shells, it was long ago opened up by a gunsmith in St. Louis and has always handled the longer shells very well. I have bagged everything from dove to deer with this gun, including a lot of ducks and geese back when we could use lead shot. I would echo what has been said about reloads and especially about the use of plated shot. My very favorite heavy load for the sixteen used a 1 1/8 oz load of either #4 or #5 copper or nickel plated shot and I found this to be quite deadly on decoyed ducks or geese. Another loading that I used a lot was the same but with #7 1/2 shot. I found this to be about a perfect all purpose load out to about 30-35 yards for just about anything and I put down quite a few smaller ducks and pheasant with it. I have always thought the 16 was given a bum rap by the gun writers, etc that pushed and promoted the 20 ga 3” to the detriment of the 16 ga. The ammo makers are like everyone else in that they make what sells and the demand for the 20’s grew while the 16 languished. Here in Georgia, the 16 lived one in the pine barrens and the dove fields as a lot of folks used this gauge in their Sweet Sixteens, Winc Mod 21’s and a few other higher grade doubles. I shot a few times with an old gentleman that had a high grade Parker that was absolutely a thing of beauty and grace, one of the most fluid handling guns that I have ever shouldered. He was not able to walk but he could still shoot and very well, I might add.
One possible bit of info that I might add is to check with your dealer or with an online vendor such as the one in Texas that handles Estate shells and consider ordering up a case or more at a time. Some of these folks will mix up boxes to build you a case and they have a lot of stuff you just won’t find at the Wal-Mart.
So, keep and enjoy those sixteen's! As someone has posted, a SXS 16 on a 20 frame makes up into a gun that has an awful lot going for it. Use the sixteen where it stands out; Don’t try to make a 60yd magnum out of it. I use a Benelli SBE for my waterfowl now but if some of the newer nontoxic shot washes up on my shore in 16 , I just may take my grandson’s gu n out to shoot a few greenheads for old times sake.
Shoot straight, shoot safe and shoot a lot!
Best regards,

I have had a Browning Sweet 16 since I was about 16 which was a long time ago. My favorite is a Parker VHE choked skt/skt. The gun was made about 1935 and with modern factory shells its quite tight. I use the Gamebore ammo which doesn't have the plastic shot cup. This makes for an ideal Grouse load. I havent yet gotten into the mindset of reloading for the sweet 16.

For those of you who have posted about the possibility of shooting ducks with your 16 gauges:

I just got my latest catalog from Graf & Sons, and they have loaded bismuth ammo (#4 shot) listed in thier closeout merchandise for $28.95; while this might seem pricey, the list price is $35.30 (25rds/box). Just thought I would pass the information along to anyone who might be intersted. Thier website is www.grafs.com
Their address is:
Graf & Sons, inc.
4050 S. Clark St.
Mexico, Mo. 65265
573-581-2266
Good luck and good hunting.

[ 06-07-2002, 03:41: Message edited by: Mr.16 gauge ]

I'm kinda late getting in on this, but FWIW, my 16 is an LC Smith field grade featherweight. I shoot factory shells and hunt doves, quail and pheasants with it. It's about to get a new chunk of English walnut, redone case colors and a reblue after this fall's birds are killed.
Good Hunting,
Andy

I've got a Mod 12 16 ga. Deluxe Field Gun with a IC bbl. It's got a replacement Simmons rib with steel donut posts. The original owner sent it to Simmons in 56 and had them take the solid rib off. I take it skeet shooting occassionally but generally hunt with the the 12 ga. Model 12's and my BSS. My hunting buddy has a new setter that is a direct line to Ruff and hopefully we'll get into some quail this year and will give the Model 12 16 ga. a dusting off.

Now I bought ZH221 over under shotgun 16 gauge with 2 3/4" chambers for about 100U$D. I very like this gun, user friendly to shoot, good balanced. Recoil could be acceptable for my girlfriend too. Nice piece. Sellier and Bellot make both sporting and hunting ammunition for good price too . . .

My 16 gauge is a Tru-Test SxS (probably made by Springfield-Stevens) that my Dad shot SKEET with in the 1940s. He also used it on woodcock, morning dove, squirrel, deer, grouse, quail and carried it in at least one parade (Now he'd probably be locked up!). For at least 30+ years it didn't have a front bead but I've replaced it now. The front of the trigger guard looks like it was repaired with solder painted black and it is a bit loose. I don't know of certain, but I think Dad bought this used either just before or just after WW II (he served May 1945 to May 1947 and was recalled for Korea). He had to use one of those slip on recoil pads but being smaller or of average size I don't need that and it fits me fairly well.

He never reloaded for this gun and neither do I (even though I reload for everything else I have other than 28 gauge and .410 bore). I use factory loads and take it hunting at least once each year (as I do with his Remington Model 8 for deer) just as we used to make time to hunt together at least once each year. Quail are just coming back from an ice storm in 1978 so this gun now usually goes out in search of grouse.

Sorry, double posted somehow!

[ 12-17-2002, 21:40: Message edited by: Hobie ]

I recently aquired a Parker 16ga skeet gun from a client. It has served me well on Pheasants this year.

I have 2 sixteens model 37 ithaca's i shot my first deer with one of these when i was 9yrs old and been using them since unfortunetly i live in shotgun country but you have to kill me before you get my 16 ga

Neat thread.

I just this weekend picked up an Ithaca Model 37 16 gauge. It was something I had been casually looking for for about 5 years. Kind of a nostalgic buy, it was the gun my Father hunted with when I was a boy, and the first shotgun I ever shot.

Mine (according to the Ithaca website) was made in 1953, seven years before I was born.

It has modified choke, no rib, ringtail forearm, checkered handgrip, and no buttpad. Got it for $210. A good deal, if I do say so myself.

Now, looking for handloading info, and where to get components.

Tim

I am a recent 16 ga convert. I have hunted this season with a M12 Winchester 16 ga and like the balance of weight verses power. You don't need an artillery piece to go bird hunting.

I like the 16 so much, I just bought a new Browing Citori in 16 ga. I may need to sell the M12 to help fund this purchase, so if anyone is interested in an excellent M12 Win in 16 ga, please e-mail me.

Merry Christmas to All

I have a Stevens SxS 16 ga. Only one I have ever seen with a plastic (synthetic) stock and forearm. I have had it for 15 years and still can't hit diddly with it. I keep trying though. My brother is currently using it to teach his 13 year old daughter to shoot with it.

My primary bird gun is a LeFever 16 ga. I have had automatics and pumps come and go but this old shotgun is staying with me.
Bill

My very first gun that I could call my own was a mod 12 16 gauge that my dad got me for my 10th birthday..I am 47 now so I have had that gun a long time.... I use it for blue grouse and mountain quail here in Oregon...It shoots where I look..

My first gun was a 16 guage single shot Cooey. I inherited it from my grandfather, it was the only gun he owned he used it for everything. Now I take it rabbit hunting a couple times a year. One of those guns that will always have a place in the safe.

I have a Mossberg 190 in 16 gauge that my grandfather picked up out of the trash years ago. He made a stock for it because the other was broken up.
I love it for dove hunting and actually got a double on them this past fall. Not bad for it being a bolt action. Not actually worth much on the market but it has served 4 generations. (My oldest son uses at times)

Have two 16,s. Love them , one is a citori upland special with english stock and 24 inch barrels. Use it for upland hunting. Hand load every thing that goes it. For pheaseants use 1 1/4 ounce loads, with that light a gun they rap you pretty good but then again you don,t shoot that many.

Can,t wait to get one of the new Rem 1100 in 16ga. Guess they won,t be coming out until this sumer.

Since Win quite making the AA16 ga wad it,s pretty tough to get a wad that worked as well as the win. Maybe if the 16ga reloading fans all got together and bugged Win they might start making it again. Might be worth a try.

My father has a cheap 16 gauge bolt-action "Remo Popular". Mauser mechanism and made in Belgien. Not so good gun but it has belonged to his uncle so it's a memory.

I like the 16 gauge and hope it will be more popular.

Why can't Remington chamber the 16 gauge 870 with 3" chamber and start produce 3" ammo? I think it will be a hit! Sometimes it's nice to have some extra lead!

At long last, I just picked up a used Ithaca 37 in 16 gauge. Rounds out my M37 collection. Haven't used it yet but intend to on pheasant.

I sure do like the 16 gauge
I owned a Browning Sweet 16 at one point, and the very first time I ever fired a shotgun, or any powder-ignited weapon for that matter it was my Dad's 16.

I dont use anything but a 12 gauge anymore. I have a 20 sitting over at Dad's house, and he still has that 16 gauge single shot, but I feel there is a simple truth.

Its a 12 gauge world. The only competition it has, in terms of popularity is the 20.

Try to find reloading components for a 16. I have to send for them, unless I want to stick with only one kind of wad my dealer carries.

The sixteen is nice and light recoiling, but so are some of the 12 gauge target loads these days.

This is sad, but to me, true, and once accepted as such, my 12 is the most practical way to fly. For all my applications anyway.

Without the presence of 4 gun target competition, I really dont think the 28 would be around either.

The 10's are hanging on because of steel shot legislation, they do well in that application.

So to me, what the 16 needs is a niche to fill
And not a "I like it" kinda thing, a real-practial thing, that it, and only it can do. I sure wish somebody could come up with something.

[ 04-11-2003, 05:06: Message edited by: JoeM ]

My second favorite Bobwhite gun was a Sweet 16, 26in., IC. Really, the last few years I hunted quail, the Sweet 16 went with me more often than the old Parker Trojan 20 ga. Took my only triple with the Browning.

Recently purchased my first 16. A new Ihtaca Model 37 Classic model. the wood is fantastic. The round ringtail fore end is perfect. Well balanced, lightweight.
the recoil is very acceptable.

Great gun.

would highly recommend