Henry Rifle Forums

One of the strangest things about Shotguns I have observed all through the years is the sizes of them.

The 410 and 20 Gauge seems to be very popular, even recently with the announcement of the new Henry. Then you have the ever popular 12 Gauge. But why is the 16 Gauge, a nice middle of the road, so un-popular, lol.

I've been a 16 Gauge fan for years.

It's a little harder to find Ammo for them, but I really have no problem finding what I need.

I don't know if the 16-gauge itself is really "unpopular," Cowboy. I have a s/g forum friend who has a nice collection of 16-ga shotguns, his favorite caliber for a s/g. The most-often-raised issue he mentions is the availability of ammo. But like you said, it can be found. So to deal with any scarcity of 16-ga ammo, he regularly reloads his 16-ga shotshells. Seems like a good way to go.

An aside for a moment. But why the manufacturers don't make enough 16-ga ammo is beyond me. As another example, I find that good .38 Special and/or .357 Magnum wadcutter ammo is not often on the LGS shelves. Cannot figure out the whys and wherefores about ammo....

Cowboy Gun Fan wrote:One of the strangest things about Shotguns I have observed all through the years is the sizes of them.

The 410 and 20 Gauge seems to be very popular, even recently with the announcement of the new Henry. Then you have the ever popular 12 Gauge. But why is the 16 Gauge, a nice middle of the road, so un-popular, lol.

I've been a 16 Gauge fan for years.

It's a little harder to find Ammo for them, but I really have no problem finding what I need.

Finding ammo for my 28ga is a real challenge but I haven't shot it in years so no big deal. Love the gun.

Weatherby SA-08 Deluxe

That Weatherby is a beauty.

You know, I think I would be a candidate for a 16, save the ammo issue.

I think the 12 is a little overboard but the 20 is maybe a little wimpy.

Well, a few thoughts here....

The first is similar to the centerfire cartridge caliber debate. If more handguns existed in 10mm I would bet 10mm ammo would be more prevalent. Also, if 10mm ammo was easier to find at the same prices as 45acp and 40SW then more pistols would be purchased in 10mm chamberings. It's a chicken and the egg type situation.

Next, also similar to some centerfire cartidges, 12 gauge is used extensively by the military which leads to civilian use. I can't imagine the military switching to 16 gauge any time soon but if they did the availability in the civilian world would expand drastically.

Lastly, if you want to shoot skeet competitively. I understand you need to shoot 12, 20, 28 and 410 in the same competition.

Of all the types, I prefer 20 GA for most applications. I like .410 for squirrel hunting. I have never been interested in a 16 or 28 GA gun solely due to the ammunition issues.

I own every gauge but the 20.I reload .410 and 28 Ga. Making both very cheap to shoot.
12 and 16 GA I buy Herters shells by the case from Cabelas

I really enjoy shooting 20 mostly due to the reduced recoil. Seems to do just fine for me even as a beginner shooting skeet. I don't think it would do the job on sporting clays or trap though. Not for my skill level; I need the bigger spread!

I have an old single shot 16. I love it! Ammo is out there but limited to light birdshot mainly. I think alot of that has to do with the fact that the 16 has always been a bird gun.

Nice thing about a 16 is that a good one is lighter than a 12 gauge. Though some companies made 16's from 12's frames.

When they originally set up trap and skeet the 16 gauge was left out. Many say that is why the popularity dropped off.

To me 16 is perfect. Almost as much shot and knock down power as a 12 gauge but swings and has the recoil of a 20.

My family in the midwest does a backyard clay shoot when we get together for Thanksgiving. There are usually some nice pricey shotguns there. Last year I took my 75 YO single shot 16. Got a couple of chuckles at 1st. Till I dropped the 1st 3 birds with 3 shots way down range. After that several folks shot it and did well. Many commented on how nice and svelte the gun is to handle. Not to bad for a $75 shotgun made before WWII !

That is one beautiful shotgun! The only ones that I have owned through the years are .12 gauges, Browning and Remington.

I have a Mossberg 16 gauge that belonged to my dad. I grew up squirrel and deer hunting with that shotgun. It is a bolt action with a 2-round detachable magazine. He traded a 12 gauge double barrel for it back in the early 50s, so I know it is at least 60+ years old. Still shoots just fine.

16 gauge seems like a great caliber. I used to own a single shoot 16 gauge Stevens. Didn't shoot it much, but seemed like a great weapon, until time to go buy ammo. I shoot some skeet now, and if I had to pay the prices for 16 that they want, even though it is available, I would be looking for a 12 or 20. I can buy 12 or 20 for about the same as I could reload it. FWIW, I own a 20 gauge over/under. I would likely get a 12 for myself, but my daughter and I share the gun shooting skeet, so I went with what I thought she would be most satisfied with.

Low volume sales equals higher prices. That's why 12 gauge is much cheaper than .410, even though 12 requires much less shot and powder.

Look at how much shot a three inch 20 Ga. will shoot compared to a 16 and you will have the answer.

16 gauge might be something like 40 caliber handguns. In between 9mm and 45 acp, and losing popularity.

I have an old, beater 16ga that a friend gave me.
He had managed to crack the stock, and hadn't fired it in years.When he realized I was interested in firearms he asked me if I could find another stock for it.
It's a bolt-action J.C.Higgins, can't recall the model number.
I went online and located a new, old stock replacement stock for $15.

I didn't even ask him. I just bought the stock and told him about it when it was delivered.
I took the new stock to his house and installed it.
When I was finished he told me to take it home with me!

I went to a local gun show a month or so later and ran across a BUNCH of 16ga 00Buck.

I've only got a few rounds down the barrel, but it's a nifty little shotgun for what it is.

Karma works
A friend stopped by after calling and his wife handed me a heavy paper bag.
I peeked in and discovered a well worn Ruger Mk II .22.
It had been her brother's, but she didn't want to be reminded of him, so she passed it on to me.

I like karma

I think you will find that the 3" 20 gauge has caused the decline of the 16.