Dunkield Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 As most of the shotgun calibre topics are 12 or 20 bore, is there any reason (apart from cartridge cost and availability) why the 16 has more or less died a death in terms of popularity? On the face of it surely it's the perfect tool for people who say 12 is too much or 20 isn't enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 (edited) Other way to look at it is weight of a 12b but loads of a 20b. Less versatile than 12b so it suffered from lack of development. 20b used to be less popular than 16b but far enough from 12b that traditionally not a lot of overlap on loads so has gotten some r&d Traditionally and very roughly 10b 1 1/2oz plus 12b 1 1/16 to 1 1/2 16b 1 to 1 1/4 20b 3/4 to 7/8 With modern loads and 3 inch chambers 10b 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 12b 1oz to 1 7/8 16b 1oz to 1 1/4 20b 3/4 to 1 3/16 Space 16 occupies is covered by 12b and 20b. Edited December 2, 2015 by Stonepark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 My neighbour has not long since bought a 16. I know 2 other people with them and that's it. When I bought my 20 a few weeks ago the dealer reckoned it's fast becoming the 'in' calibre. I just can't see it personally. Lack of choice in gun and cartridge manufacturers will always be its downfall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 16 g has been out of fashion here in UK for ages........I have an old english 16g and it is a great gun.It is not the weight of a 12g(weighs 6 lb). but does as you say shoot an oz which these days seems to be what folk put up a 20g. The cartridge choice is limited but all the major manufacturers do an 0z of 5/6/7s which is all you need.Non toxic wise it is very poorly catered for...looking at old guns though you are currently paying a premium for 20 gauge and for those wanting something a bit different the 16g is great for sending an oz out. Specific clay loads are rare often use 7s but for a hide/walk about gun often take the 16g out. For a game gun/pigeons etc then I think it is ideal. if duck/or clays more your thing then it does suffer from poor cartridge choice. Is there a big gap between 20 & 12g? probably not,..but life is about choices and the 16g is the thinking mans crumpet!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everycal Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 I have some very reasonably priced 16 cartridges in other sales if anyone's interested. Including some non toxic ones too ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 I was using a 16 gauge (Baikal hammer gun) for a couple of years and it has been great and as I could get #6 26g fiber wad locally I haven't needed anything else. I am getting rid of it soon though, as I've just gone over to 12 gauge, but only because carts are a bit cheaper and the gun doesn't fit as well as it could, nothing wrong with the caliber - if it fitted better I'd stay with the 16. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 I have 2 16g guns and much prefer them to my 12's. They are light to carry and cartridges are not a problem unless you want something out of the ordinary-the 16 is perfect for throwing 1oz of shot which I find adequate over decoys and the price is not too bad if you buy in bulk. I think that they have gone out of fashion simply because of the vast array of 12g cartridges now available but I will be sticking with mine and mopping up the bargains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triumphant59 Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 I have some very reasonably priced 16 cartridges in other sales if anyone's interested. Including some non toxic ones too ! Just gone through your content back to September and can't find above listin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted December 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/325771-cartridges-red-dots-scopes-sling-cartridge-belt-le-chameaus-etc/ You have not been charged for this service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/325771-cartridges-red-dots-scopes-sling-cartridge-belt-le-chameaus-etc/ You have not been charged for this service But any donations to the Mods Xmas party are gratefully received Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everycal Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 Thanks...... And noted ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clakk Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 got a 16g poachers gun ,single folds in on itself small and deadly .dont know why their not popular but theres a lot of peeps own 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wigeon jim Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Got a browning A5 semi in 16 g also 2 sxs, great guns, Jim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 I tried a 20b side by side a few years ago. A lovely old gun with a long stock but it's was just too small, literally toy like in my hands. My sister now has it. With 28g you really notice the recoil too. I think most of the old 20b sxs guns were made for women or boys. So now I have replaced it with an W Jeffrey 16 bore. The proportions of the gun suit me much better while being pleasingly lighter than a 12. Two other guns on my shoot use 16s. It wouldn't make sense in an ou, but it does for me in a sxs. Got a browning A5 semi in 16 g also 2 sxs, great guns, Jim. A 16 bore A5 is a rare and very cool thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrowningDJC Posted December 6, 2015 Report Share Posted December 6, 2015 Been searching for a 16 bore auto 5 for a while, Very rare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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