Keep the 20ga. or upgrade to a 16ga.?

[Ghosted3]

I have a 20ga. and I plan on mainly hunting dove, quail, pheasant and occasionally some duck. I would like to get a little bigger gun, but I have never really liked the feel of a 12ga. I have read tons of reviews saying that the 16 is the shot of a 12 with the kick of a 20....Can anyone confirm or deny those statements?

Thanks
Corry

[nikegundog]

I have a 20ga. and I plan on mainly hunting dove, quail, pheasant and occasionally some duck. I would like to get a little bigger gun, but I have never really liked the feel of a 12ga. I have read tons of reviews saying that the 16 is the shot of a 12 with the kick of a 20....Can anyone confirm or deny those statements?

Thanks
Corry

The saying I believe is "hits like a 12 carries like a 20", in many cases the 16 is built on 12 gauge actions so in those cases they are really just as heavy as a 12. Also keep in mind they don't make 3" shells so you will never get close to the load weight a 12 gauge can, you will be paying more for shells with less selection than both the 12 and 20 (at least around here).

[Brittguy]

20 should do you fine. If I wanted more gun I would go to a 12. Nikegundog said it pretty well.

[mcbosco]

I would stay with a 20 as well, unless you want to go nuts finding shells.

[nj gsp]

Personally I prefer a 16 gauge, and if not for goose hunting - which in my opinion demands a heavy 3 to 3-1/2" 12 gauge (or 10 gauge) load - the 16 is all I would use. There are a number of 16 gauge aficionados here on GDF, but If you are seriously thinking about a 16 gauge this is the place to look for answers: www.16ga.com

You will not find a better source of 16 gauge info anywhere on the internet.

[Ghosted3]

Thank you all for the feedback!

Corry

[Ricky Ticky Shorthairs]

I've had 12's and 20's and now have a Citori lightweight 16 on a true 16 frame. I love the 16. All of the things about shell availability, price and selection are all true. I'd like a 20 Citori lightweight for training just because of weight, size and shell price. But there's NO way I'd ever get rid of my 16. There's just something about the mistique. Plus the gun is just plain sweet!

Doug

[CHJIII]

16 ga. ammo is not hard to find. When you find the loads you like, buy it up and you've got it. Non-tox may be an issue, selections are limited and a bit pricey. I plan on bucking up for a case of tungsten Matrix soon for our trip to SD this fall.

You really cant' beat a 16 gauge. I have a Model 12 16ga and a Citori 16ga featherlite. Have no use for any other guns. Haven't taken the 12's or the 20's off the rack for years.

[terrym]

You can actually get far more selection of different loads in the 20g. But then again why not have both?

[gotpointers]

I keep my 16ga sxs out of the mud and water. Its the only thing i will carry everwhere else. Walmart has the federal shells for about 6.49 and 12 and 20 are 4.99

[DonF]

I've used a 16 for years, love it. But if you need to ask about keeping the 20 or upgrading to a 16 or a 12, your not ready for a 16. Everything said about them is true. I could have gotton along very well without my 16 's or my 28 for all my life. I like them because they are different enough that not that many people do use them; snob appeal I guess you'd call it. There is nothing a 20 can't do that that a 16 can. And there are things a 12 can do a 16 can't. I only hunt upland game, I've no need of a 12 but, 12ga light field loads were my preference when I shot a 12. I hand load but my loads were alwaqys 1 1/8th oz of shot at about 1200fps. My 16 uses 1 oz loads at about 12oo fps. About tops for a 1600 unless you reloaqd and go for velocity. Just getting going with the 12. Good thing about the 16 over the other two is that nobody borrow's shell from you!

The 20 will do whatever you want plus be lighter to carry. If a 20 was what I had, I would get a 12 for water fowl and keep the 20 for upland.

[ezzy333]

I've used a 20, 16, and 12 and they all do about the same job. I sure wouldn't consider going from a 20 to a 16 an upgrade when you consider the availability and price of shells and the weight of the gun.

Ezzy

[davelsi2]

you can never have too many guns get own them both. But, the 16ga is a nostalgia gun, the 20 is superior in almost every way. 3" loads will cover most anything you think is too big for a 2 3/4 load plus you can buy many more shot and powder combinations. Additionally, I contend you can kill any of the game you've listed with a 28ga or a 410 because it's really about being a good shot. The answer is practice, practice, practice, to that end, the 20ga is cheaper to practice with as well. I'm not recommending using a 410 on ducks or geese, my point is that it only takes a pellet or two to bring down a bird, more of them improve your odds. So does being a better shot.

Dave

[JKP]

Ther is only one advantage to being a 16 ga enthusiast....good guns are cheap. I have found more nice 16 ga S x S's over the years in out of the way gun shops for very little money....not many folks want them.

[mcbosco]

Ther is only one advantage to being a 16 ga enthusiast....good guns are cheap. I have found more nice 16 ga S x S's over the years in out of the way gun shops for very little money....not many folks want them.

No kidding, I saw an Ithaca 37 in 16 gauge from the late 1940's about a year ago for $250. The gun was mint. I didn't have my gun ID card with me or else I would have bought it.

[Ghosted3]

I am still looking in my area for one, but I really want a o/u or a SxS... Which I understand that it makes things a little bit harder to find, but thats what I plan on getting sooner or later, hopefully sooner!

Corry

[BigShooter]

Ther is only one advantage to being a 16 ga enthusiast....good guns are cheap. I have found more nice 16 ga S x S's over the years in out of the way gun shops for very little money....not many folks want them.

No kidding, I saw an Ithaca 37 in 16 gauge from the late 1940's about a year ago for $250. The gun was mint. I didn't have my gun ID card with me or else I would have bought it.

Pretty sure that varies by location. My observation is they jump off the shelves where wild pheasant hunters live.

[mcbosco]

Perhaps, but a good deal like that on a vintage quality 37 is not the exception around here. They show up all over.

Are all $250, nah, but wouldn't go to the ATM machine on a $500 deal.

Most underloved gun around.

[Red]

I'm a fan of the 16ga sxs..
http://www.billhanusbirdguns.com/browning16.html

[JIM K]

I have a 20ga. and I plan on mainly hunting dove, quail, pheasant and occasionally some duck. I would like to get a little bigger gun, but I have never really liked the feel of a 12ga. I have read tons of reviews saying that the 16 is the shot of a 12 with the kick of a 20....Can anyone confirm or deny those statements?

Thanks
Corry

1 gun cant do it all.

stay with 20ga for small birds and get 12 ga for bird birds.i could go into reasons but i would be typing for hr.

[Red]

1 gun cant do it all.

Can you tell my wife that?

[Ghosted3]

I found a Stoger 16ga. o/u for a really good price so I am going to get it next paycheck. Thanks again for the feedback (and random arguments lol), it is much appreciated!

Corry

*Edit* Going to keep the 20 for a change from time to time or for my son to grow into.

[JIM K]

1 gun cant do it all.

Can you tell my wife that?

wives try to control things, dont they .
i lost almost all my hunting buddies do to their wives .still have 1 left .had 12 in our gang ,we grew up together hunting.
1 still hunts with me and 1 other hunts with his brother in law, others wives took guns away over years.
kids dont hunt or even know how to put worm on hook .

sad isnt it.

[birddogger]

1 gun cant do it all.

Can you tell my wife that?

wives try to control things, dont they .
i lost almost all my hunting buddies do to their wives .still have 1 left .had 12 in our gang ,we grew up together hunting.
1 still hunts with me and 1 other hunts with his brother in law, others wives took guns away over years.
kids dont hunt or even know how to put worm on hook .

sad isnt it.

Yes it is but who is really to blame?

Charlie

[BigShooter]

Can you tell my wife that?

wives try to control things, dont they .
i lost almost all my hunting buddies do to their wives .still have 1 left .had 12 in our gang ,we grew up together hunting.
1 still hunts with me and 1 other hunts with his brother in law, others wives took guns away over years.
kids dont hunt or even know how to put worm on hook .

sad isnt it.

Yes it is but who is really to blame?

Charlie

Just the ones that decided not to get divorced.

[gotpointers]

My 16 ga was a gun i had picked up cheap at a small gun shop. I had intended on cleaning it up and flipping it. After refininshing the wood i packed it up and took it out for a dove hunt along with my regular 12 ga o/u. After shooting and wounding a few dove which i recoverd with my lab i decided to just test fire a few with the 16 before i put it up for sale. The dove at the same distance were just falling dead. I went back to the 12 and had more cripples. By the end of the day the 12 was up for sale. It just fit right and i felt it was just the gun for me. Keep trying new ones until it just falls into place.

[birddogger]

My 16 ga was a gun i had picked up cheap at a small gun shop. I had intended on cleaning it up and flipping it. After refininshing the wood i packed it up and took it out for a dove hunt along with my regular 12 ga o/u. After shooting and wounding a few dove which i recoverd with my lab i decided to just test fire a few with the 16 before i put it up for sale. The dove at the same distance were just falling dead. I went back to the 12 and had more cripples. By the end of the day the 12 was up for sale. It just fit right and i felt it was just the gun for me. Keep trying new ones until it just falls into place.

In most cases, the 16ga. will pattern better than a 12 or 20ga. On the other hand, the 12 and 20 are more versatile, easier to find shells with the load you are looking for and shells are usually less expensive. Just my 2 cents worth.

Charlie

[JKP]

On the other hand, the 12 and 20 are more versatile, easier to find shells with the load you are looking for and shells are usually less expensive.

Can't really disagree. Don't plan to buy shells when you get there!!! But if you plan ahead and squirrel away good deals when you find them, its not expensive to shoot a 16. How many times do you actually pull the trigger during hunting season?? 100-200 times? That would be 8 boxes...at a difference of $3-4 a box...what are we talking $25-30 bucks?

[CHJIII]

you can never have too many guns get own them both. But, the 16ga is a nostalgia gun, almost every waythe 20 is superior in . 3" loads will cover most anything you think is too big for a 2 3/4 load plus you can buy many more shot and powder combinations. Additionally, I contend you can kill any of the game you've listed with a 28ga or a 410 because it's really about being a good shot. The answer is practice, practice, practice, to that end, the 20ga is cheaper to practice with as well. I'm not recommending using a 410 on ducks or geese, my point is that it only takes a pellet or two to bring down a bird, more of them improve your odds. So does being a better shot.

Dave

16 ga a Nostalgia gun? More like a purists gun. If you need one "go to gun" for most anything, the 16 ga is the way to go Both 12's and 20's have their own limitations. 16 splits the difference and doesn't have the same issues. As long as it's on its' own or a 20ga frame.
I'd like to know one way a 20 is superior. 20's don't pattern as well as 16's, If ya need 3" loads.....learn to shoot better and be more selective. If you need to reach out and touch a 12 ga will do it.

[nikegundog]

you can never have too many guns get own them both. But, the 16ga is a nostalgia gun, almost every waythe 20 is superior in . 3" loads will cover most anything you think is too big for a 2 3/4 load plus you can buy many more shot and powder combinations. Additionally, I contend you can kill any of the game you've listed with a 28ga or a 410 because it's really about being a good shot. The answer is practice, practice, practice, to that end, the 20ga is cheaper to practice with as well. I'm not recommending using a 410 on ducks or geese, my point is that it only takes a pellet or two to bring down a bird, more of them improve your odds. So does being a better shot.

Dave

16 ga a Nostalgia gun? More like a purists gun. If you need one "go to gun" for most anything, the 16 ga is the way to go Both 12's and 20's have their own limitations. 16 splits the difference and doesn't have the same issues. As long as it's on its' own or a 20ga frame.
I'd like to know one way a 20 is superior. 20's don't pattern as well as 16's, If ya need 3" loads.....learn to shoot better and be more selective. If you need to reach out and touch a 12 ga will do it.

I can't think of a single advantage a 16 has over a 12 gauge. If ya think 3 ounces of weight weights makes a difference......adjust your panties.

[CHJIII]

Hey! Keep my panties out of this. Who's been talking?

[birddogger]

16 ga a Nostalgia gun? More like a purists gun. If you need one "go to gun" for most anything, the 16 ga is the way to go Both 12's and 20's have their own limitations. 16 splits the difference and doesn't have the same issues. As long as it's on its' own or a 20ga frame.
I'd like to know one way a 20 is superior. 20's don't pattern as well as 16's, If ya need 3" loads.....learn to shoot better and be more selective. If you need to reach out and touch a 12 ga will do it.

The 16ga. may be a purists gun, but I don't understand the comment about the limitations of the 12 and 20ga. versus the 16ga. I just have to disagree with that. Also, the comment about learning to shoot better and be more selective, I think should go without saying and shouldn't determine what gauge you use. Having said that, if a person could only have one gun and hunted a little bit of everything, the 12ga. would be the way to go. Generally speaking, the 16ga. will throw a more even pattern and I have a couple that I shoot well with but still usually carry a 20ga. for upland birds and furry creatures, such as squirrels and rabbits. It is more about the feel/fit and personal preference than anything, IMO.

Charlie

[JKP]

I can't think of a single advantage a 16 has over a 12 gauge. If ya think 3 ounces of weight weights makes a difference......adjust your panties.

If that isn't true. I have never heard so much "blather" about a non issue. Except for maybe climbing the chukar hills out west, if an extra 6 oz is a deal breaker, get thee to the testosterone clinic for treatment. Its a hoot to watch guys put on a 4lb pair of boots and a Filson jacket and then boast about their gun at 6 1/2lb. Figure that out!!

[birddogger]

I have not had the need to feel macho for many, many years now and 6 or 8 ounses can make a significant difference over the long haul. I want a light weight gun for upland hunting and I want my clothing and any other gear to be as light as possible. A light gun is also an advantage when hunting thick cover and doing a lot of snap shooting. I also want short barrel/barrels for upland. I guess I am just a wimp for wanting the proper equipment for the type of game instead of sucking it up and grabbing the "big boy gun".

Charlie

[Mountaineer]

...I can't think of a single advantage a 16 has over a 12 gauge.....

There are a few...as can be found for any gauge over another, if one looks.
Some 16s have a frame size that can deliver a more comfortable grip dimension than a 12, for but one example.
Assuming the 12 framed 16 as a given for comparison is an unfair pick.

As to the original implication of the validity of the hoary "carries like a 20 and hits like a 12" description.......eh, sometimes.

In general, I would always advise sticking to the 20...tho I sold all of mine and am satisfied with my 16 and 12s.
While 16 ammo availability is not the issue it once was, on can still come a cropper at a bad time.

The advantage of the 16, to me, is more in the scattergun than the gauge as a sufficient upland payloads are present in most gauges today....given shooter discretion and intelligence.
The properly scaled 16 gauge scatterguns tho...ah, the scatterguns.
A plain barrel Sweet 16 simply is and a 16 M12 has an esthetic not present in a 12 gauge M12, to me.
Wood cock to pheasants will seldom find a 16 wanting, tho a high wind day on far-flushing prairie pheasants is indeed more of a stretch.
A sad day it is when a scattergun decision falls to the mathmatical best choice.
OP, pick a scattergun based upon what makes you smile...same as one should pick a birddog.
Then, go hunting.

[nj gsp]

Bottom line is that gauge selection is all about personal preference. There are as many people that love the 16 as there are that don't (as evidenced by the discussion in this thread), so there are as many reasons to own a 16 as not.

Patterning has little to do with the gauge, it has everything to do with the load you are using and how the gun handles it. And how you shoot the gun has nothing to do with the gauge, it has everything to do with how the gun fits you.

And as far as availability goes, I've never had any trouble finding 16 gauge ammo. And I don't think there was ever a time I was leaving for a hunting trip and said, "Eh, I'll just buy some shells when I get there."

[birddogger]

Patterning has little to do with the gauge, it has everything to do with the load you are using and how the gun handles it. And how you shoot the gun has nothing to do with the gauge, it has everything to do with how the gun fits you.

nj, good post but I have to disagree on the gauge having nothing to do with the pattern. I do agree that the load in a particular gauge and gun will make a difference in the pattern. But you can get a shorter shot string with the proper load in a 16 than with a 12 or 20 and a shorter shot string equals a better pattern. Same with a 28 ga. but you are not throwing much shot, you can just get a more square load in a 16 or 28ga. I am not promoting one over the other, just stating the facts. I almost always use a 20 ga. myself for most upland game. BTW, I agree with you that the fit of the gun has more to do with how well you shoot than anything.

[northern cajun]

I have a 20ga. and I plan on mainly hunting dove, quail, pheasant and occasionally some duck. I would like to get a little bigger gun, but I have never really liked the feel of a 12ga. I have read tons of reviews saying that the 16 is the shot of a 12 with the kick of a 20....Can anyone confirm or deny those statements?

Thanks
Corry

1 gun cant do it all.

stay with 20ga for small birds and get 12 ga for bird birds.i could go into reasons but i would be typing for hr.

Um not to start an argument, but all the birds my 12 ga killed would beg to differ. One gun can in fact do it all.