Man o kent Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Wondered if anyone had any experience of using a 16 or 20 bore for decoying or close range flighting? I'm obviously not talking about taking down a goose at 40 yds! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 16 will take down a goose at 40 yards using hevi-shot or ITM. I believe wigeon jim uses a 16 bore. If i came across a 16 i would be tempted to use it myself. I know of one fowler who has used a 20 for foreshore work for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lister1 Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I have a 16gauge and have thouht of using it on the shore but i dont have any non toxic shell. does anyone make any? anyone facy making me a box of non toxic 16 gauge cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Ask Wabbitbosher .... he loves a 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man o kent Posted July 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I have a 16gauge and have thouht of using it on the shore but i dont have any non toxic shell. does anyone make any? anyone facy making me a box of non toxic 16 gauge cartridges. Eley make bismuth carts for a 16, but they are not cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlistairB Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I used to use a 16 flighting ducks and geese on Anglesey when i was a youngster. Mind you, back then you could use lead on them! Not sure i'd want to stump up for non toxic for one now! AB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesterse Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 My wife's grandad Rusty Lawson was a semi professional wildfowler on the Wash in 30s 40s and 50s and used a 16 bore hammer gun for a lot of his shooting including geese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Sounds like an expensive and pointless experiment, unless you only have a 16 bore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man o kent Posted July 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Sounds like an expensive and pointless experiment, unless you only have a 16 bore. why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I have a 16gauge and have thouht of using it on the shore but i dont have any non toxic shell. does anyone make any? anyone facy making me a box of non toxic 16 gauge cartridges. Get some hevi shot or hw-13 from the states, expensive but it'll do the job. Not got any 16 bore reloading gear otherwise i'd help you out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man o kent Posted July 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Sounds like an expensive and pointless experiment, unless you only have a 16 bore. what's the point of going out for a nice meal when you can get a kebab for £4? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimfireboy Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I enjoy a nice meal, I sometimes like a kebab. I'd even more enjoy trying something different, with a 16 bore. I don't know what's available other than bismuth but I'm interested to read learn how you get on fella. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AberFowl Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I had a 20 bore I had some success with on the foreshore fighting ducks and geese. Using tungsten matrix taken from 12gauge shells. Unfortunately due to a very poor wage at the time I couldn't afford to load cartridges for it so the gun was sold and 12bore became my tool. A big mistake and I am keen to get another now I am earning a bit more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Why? There is a reasonable amount of different cartridge options for a 12 for something as specialist as wildfowling, so making life difficult with a small gauge just because seems a bit silly. I love a 16 for walked up game shooting, but it's not as versatile as a 12 because of the available ammunition. Seems obvious to me, but if it's an itch you have to scratch, get your cheque book out and give it a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerbyshireDale. Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Why? There is a reasonable amount of different cartridge options for a 12 for something as specialist as wildfowling, so making life difficult with a small gauge just because seems a bit silly. I love a 16 for walked up game shooting, but it's not as versatile as a 12 because of the available ammunition. Seems obvious to me, but if it's an itch you have to scratch, get your cheque book out and give it a go. I'm with you on this one, I cant see the point, unless, as someone said earlier, you already own one but if you also own a 12g...it seems a bit pointless!...mind you, after saying that, I did shoot a 80yd "pinkfoot" last season with a 2" fourten and when I picked it up there was a pound of mushrooms under it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I have never used a 16bore for wild fowling , but I did use my ex governers 16bore a few times learning his sisters children to shoot, and I tell you what that was one of the nicest handling guns I have used , it was a English gun made by a top class gun maker , it done everything a 12 would do but quitter and lighter , a joy to use and I would have no doubt in the right hands it would be suitable for fowling, it would have its limetations but so do all guns come to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie R Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I take the view that if i have driven 565 miles to get there, spent hours on reconaisance, got up bloody early, got cold, got wet,and run the risk of drowning why would I turn up with a peashooter? I like the best kit I can afford and that comes in the form of 42g nos1's fired from a 3.5 inch chambered semi in you guess it 12g. While the applaud the concept of a 16 or 20 why bother when the 12 does the job. It's like the stories you hear of the top shot wiping guns eyes at the back with a 410 great for pheasants but geese I think they a bit more stopping and a whole load more respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AberFowl Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 (edited) No 1 steel? I would rather use the 16 with no 3 hevi shot To me a gun isn't just a tool, I shoot a gun I like the look and feel of. If that means I have to reduce my range by a few feet then so be it. If your doing all that travelling and risking your life etc you really should get a proper fowling gun...why be under gunned with a pea shooter 12 bore when 10s can be picked up for a few hundred quid. Also bringing the cost into it...if you can afford to drive 565miles to shoot at a goose why then would you skimp on cartridges with steel 1s?? This is one of them debates that could and most probably will go on forever. Each to their own. Some like to experiment with different carts and gauges...good luck to them I say! Edited July 31, 2014 by AberFowl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie R Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I have two proper guns for wildfowling thanks so hopefully cost is not an issue, as with the posts on 12 g vs 10g unless you are shooting at range can't see the point of a 10 g. Why 1's over bb its my preferred choice of pellet count and pattern. BB vs 1's same price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man o kent Posted July 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 The reason I asked is I already have a 16, and I find it a very comfortable, pointable gun. Horses for courses I suppose. Thankyou for the comments gents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AberFowl Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I agree with that, if your not shooting at birds over 35yard then a ten isn't necessary, although I will stick to the 10 for geese as I enjoy shooting myne. But at 35yards and under a 16bore is more than capable and hand loaded carts for it wouldn't be too costly. Its all down to what the person pulling the trigger is comfortable and confident with. The 12gauge is the most versatile and by far the easiest and cheapest option..sales show that and I wouldn't be without my 12 but I also wouldn't be without my 10 (most of my fowling shots are over 35yard though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roughshooter Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I have justed loaded up some 16 bore 32g hevishot 5's for use on the occassional driven day when ducks are on the menu. I have no doubt that the 16 bore will perform adequately at sensible ranges. I can load steel but am limited to 24g of shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 Is steel a realistic option for 16 g as I'm after some to try on pigeons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wigeon jim Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 I use 16 bore guns for pigeons and game with lead, but have shot geese and duck with steel shot #3 all home loads, the pigeon loads are 7/8th # 4 lead which work great through my A 5 semi auto, I have a steel load if any one wants it, Jim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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