16 bore guns

[waulakh]

I recently came across a Czech Poldi 16 bore shotgun in an excellent condition.At one time there were a number of
16 bore and 20 bore guns around.Now there is hardly any mention of these guns.What is the ammo availability
position for these guns and how was the perfomance like.Do any members have any of these guns,then please post
pictures.

[Priyan]

I'm interested too. Does anyone make 16 gauge shotshells in India?

[Zuhair3006]

I recently bought a 16 Gauge SxS in Westley Richards
Serial number 01954
Cartridges you write a letter to Shaktimaan factory thru any gun dealers,they can still now produce 16 gauge in their factory I'm sure about it.

Regarding shooting a 16 gauge is worth than 10 & 12 gauge in long range and grouping. Your cloud pattern will be tighter than the above gauges.

Zuhair

[absinroy]

Dear Zuhair == I have handled both .12 bore as well as .16 bore guns extensively. It is incorrect to say that the 'pattern' will be tighter with .16 bore, as compared to .12 bore. Granted both bores of guns are from the same manufacturer, the patterns will be the same. Only the "weight of shots delivered'" will vary. That is why .16 bores and .410 bores were referred to as 'snipe guns' ...in the days when Emperor snipes were shot in hundreds. Reason ? Lesser recoil and weight of the gun.

[Vikram]

Shot pattern depends, with all else being equal, on the chokes used.It does not depend on the bore of a shotgun.A 12 bore throws more shot/pellets out and hence needs to burn more powder than the smaller 16,20 and 28 bores.In a 16 or 20 bore, you are shooting smaller amount of shot and hence you do not need more powder charge.However, if you try to shoot more shot /heavier payload through a small bore gun,the recoil can be harsh especially if it is a light gun.

The main reasons to use a smaller bore/gauge gun is light weight,less recoil and, for some people, the challenge of hitting a target using fewer pellets than a larger 12 or 10 bore.

A 16 bore,if built on a scaled down action and not built on a 12 bore action, is light weight and has the advantage of a shorter shot-column for the same shot load so will pattern better. (Thanks to Grumpy).




16 bore is a great choice. To learn more about it, please go through this website dedicated to it.

http://www.16ga.com/


Best-
Vikram

[RamMani]

I'm interested too. Does anyone make 16 gauge shotshells in India?

Is 16 bore cartridges available in India,
one of my friend have a 16 bore,sleeping in almirah due non availability of cartridge.

Regards,
RamMani
Karur(TN)

[timmy]

Vikram is exactly right. The density of the pattern is dependent on the choke, and also factors like the hardness of the shot and the effectiveness of the wad/"power piston"/shot cup in protecting the shot. Essentially, the pattern will be tighter (given the same choke) if shot is not deformed, as a true sphere will not be diverted by flat sides that affect aerodynamics. Hard shot is not so easily deformed, and effective wadding can also help to ensure the true sphericity of shot.

There are some who like to argue the merits of one bore/gauge over another. Essentially, this boils down to what compromise one prefers for a certain type of hunting. A larger, heavier shotgun will be slower to bring into action than a smaller, handier one, but the larger bore has the potential of a larger shot pattern, giving a bit larger margin of error in pointing. However, a larger bore also can support a more effective pattern of large shot. Since larger, heavier shot retains energy better than small shot, it is preferred for long range waterfowl shooting. Since a smaller bore is limited in carrying enough large pellets, long range waterfowl shooting is usually confined (at least, in the USA) to 12 and 10 gauge shotguns. This is especially true since the introduction of steel shot for waterfowl hunting.

So, for some, using a smaller, faster swinging 16 gauge shotgun for fast-moving upland game is a better deal, since its coming on target faster and more accurately outweighs the greater mouth of shot that a heavier 12 gauge will offer.

One factor that has led to the decline of 16 gauge guns here in the USA has been the development of the 20 gauge magnum, which can carry the same weight/number of shot as the 16 gauge, but in an even lighter 20 gauge package. However, because the shot pattern of the same weight in a 20 gauge is a longer, "thinner" column than when fired from a 16 gauge, it is considered to be slightly less effective, even though it is of the same weight in both guns.

As with many such things, it is to be expected that, due to individual factors, one shotgun is more effectively used by one sort of person, while another is more effectively used by a different sort of person. Also, as with many such things, there are those who think everyone should do what they do. In my opinion, the best shotgun (or any gun, for that matter) for any job is the one that each individual can use best.

[veeveeaar]

Friends take my advise. P lease do not go in for 16 bore shotguns . 16 bore ammo is virtually not existent in India except for some old Eleys and S&B . IOF does not supply them , its prices are a fancy and i swear that cartridge availability is a huge question in India. so do not go for 16s. We had four brunos and sold them for paperweight prices .

[timmy]

16 bore ammo is virtually not existent in India

That sounds like the best basis for a decision!

BTW, veeveeaar, I sure would like to visit your city some day, and see the sites!

[Pritu79]

vikram good post. Shaktiman do supply 16ga shells on request as a cousin of mine has a CZ in 16ga.
12ga are considered to be very versatile. different gauges were produced keeping in mind the heavy recoil that came with the larger ga, since advanced powders werent present during the early periods.
certainly the shot pattern depends on the quality and type of choke. softer the lead shots the more they deform giving rise to scattered patterns compared to harder shots.
I hope i am not deveating from the topic but guys try reading about 'chilled vs magnum' shots....i had to as some time back i came across a carton of eley alphamax " chilled buck shots" and made me wonder.
would like to share learning experience.

cheers.

[Steve007]

16 bore is a great choice. To learn more about it, please go through this website dedicated to it.

http://www.16ga.com/

Vikram, as is frequently the case, is giving good information and a very good link that is worth visiting.

Obvously, availability of ammo is key (does anyone handload shotgun shells in India?). In the US, 16g is readly available. I won't forget walking into a supermarket (not a gun store) in South Dakota, and seeing four different types of 16g ammo displayed.


The old hunters used to say that a 20 g. was for women and kids, a 12g for waterfowl, but a birdhunter carried a 16.

There is great interest in 16s among serious shotgunners. I have only two, an Ithaca pump and a Browning Citori O/U. Honestly, if had to have only one shotgun for everything, it would be a 16.

Ithaca 16g.,1949 pump. Holds 7 shots.



Browning Citori. 16. Holds 2 shots.

[shooter]

hi steve long time

[Vikram]

Hello Steve! As Shooter says after a long time. Both your 16 bores look great.The wood on the Citori is very nice.

What's the latest on your dogs?


Best-
Vikram

[Grumpy]

16-Bores are cool.
If built on a small action and shot with maximum loads of around one ounce ( 28 gr ) they can be delightful both to shoot and to carry.
The 16-Bore wasn`t known as the `Sweet 16` for nothing.
The guys that developed the standard bores and cartridges/cartridges loads and the guns to shoot them all those years ago knew what they were doing. They didn`t invent the 2 oz, 3 1/2" magnum 12-Bore because they had the 10-Bore - a bigger, heavier gun with a shorter shot column. They developed the 20-Bore to shoot light 5/8 oz and 3/4 oz loads in lightweight guns ......... Then some `genius` invented the 3" 20 bore magnum shooting loads up to 1 1/2 oz loads. `Strewth mate - this little 5 1/2 lb gun kicks like a carthorse on steroids !` Ah ........ yes. OK we`ll make the guns heavier` ..... So now there are 7 lb ( 12-Bore weight ) 20-Bores shooting 1 1/2 oz ( 12-Bore ) loads ........ And again , a 12-Bore will pattern better because of the shorter shot column.
Stupid, stupid stupid.
Vikram has a dinky little 16-Bore SxS that I`m looking after. A PROPER 16-Bore !
Go on Mate - show `em the pics and give the specs.

[shooter]

Hi grumpy long time no see.