The last time the 16 gauge appeared in this column was in early 2002, shortly after Remington reintroduced the Model 870 in 16, at the same time its ammunition division was declaring the 16 dead and buried. I noted then that, given the dearth of civilized, high-quality 16-gauge factory ammunition, I saw no burning reason to own a 16. That prompted the most vitriolic outpouring of reader condemnation I have seen in 22 years of writing here. One outraged correspondent suggested lynching, which I thought was a bit much, but it did rule out any further ruminations on the 16 gauge on my part.
Nothing particular has changed to make me revise my views. I own three 16-gauge guns, and had the pleasure of hunting quail with a fourth last fall. It was a lovely Merkel O/U that was a credit to both Merkel and the 16. Also, in England four years ago, I saw a rack of Holland & Holland side-by-sides, all in 16 gauge; apparently, it was the gauge du jour for jaded English shooters who were bored with 12s, and H&H responded accordingly. I couldn’t afford one of those, either. But they were lovely, and the handling was dreamy.
A quick check of ammunition companies shows Federal offering one 16-gauge load with an ounce of shot at a reasonable velocity (1,160 fps), and a similar load each from Winchester and Remington. RST has the widest range of 16s, including paper cases. They are 2 1 /2-inch, which is fine for any 16. Fiocchi lists some acceptable loads (one ounce of 7 1 /2s at reasonable velocity) but B&P, alas, has discontinued its line of excellent 16-gauge ammunition (along with my favorite 12-gauge “High Pheasant” load) as it pursues the already crowded American mass market. Fortunately, Ballistic Products still stocks all the wherewithal for loading your own 16-gauge.
“…if I were put up against a wall and forced to name my candidate for the perfect upland gauge, it would have to be the neglected, forlorn, and largely ignored 16 gauge.”
Generally, one is lucky to find a store that even carries 16, never mind any at sale prices. This means it’s more expensive, regardless of quality, and that does nothing to encourage a lot of practice. A 16-gauge admirer who wants to shoot a lot, unless he’s independently wealthy, is condemned to loading his own. Anyone contemplating the purchase of a 16 should add the price of a loading press to the equation if he hopes to do much shooting.
At various times, writers have noted signs that they hoped signaled a renaissance of the 16. One such was Remington’s reintroduction of the 870, noted above. Remington admitted at the time that it was aimed solely at 870 collectors, who would simply have to have one. And now comes word from Browning that it is bringing back one of the most famous of all 16-gauge guns, the legendary “Sweet Sixteen” A5 semiauto. For collectors? Or for those who are kicking themselves for not buying one way back when? Either way, it’s welcome news.
Some have suggested that a three-inch magnum 16 would do the trick, but all I can see that accomplishing is the ruin of a nice gun that’s already struggling. The shotgun world needs fewer magnums, not more.
The argument in favor of the 16 gauge lies less in the ballistics of the cartridge, and more in the configuration, weight, and balance of guns that can be chambered for it in its traditional form. That always brings us back to recollections of days afield with a 16. Last year, I had two—the aforementioned quail with the exquisite Merkel, and one day of wild pheasants with a black powder side-by-side. With those memories fresh in my mind, if I were put up against a wall and forced to name my candidate for the perfect upland gauge, it would have to be the neglected, forlorn, and largely ignored 16 gauge. Even with all the burdens it carries, it’s worth the trouble.
Wieland confesses to being a lifelong admirer of 16- gauge guns in their many and myriad forms, and has a particular fondness for 16-gauge pumps. He once saw a Boss & Co. 16-gauge over-and-under that sent his heart palpitating wildly, which proves he’s an equal-opportunity infatuatee. If limited to just one shotgun, however, he says it would not be a 16 gauge. Sorry.