I've been hunting upland birds and shooting some skeet and trap for the last 10 years. Finally got around to acquiring and shooting a 16 gauge.

What fun! Mine happens to be built on a true 16 ga. frame and is as lithe as most 20s and trimmer than some. I've found mine smack's 'em like a 12, but in a sweeter handling gun. Getting just "smashing" hits on the skeet field. It throws and ounce to 1 1/8 of shot just loverly. I'm really looking forward to getting into the field in the fall.

Surprisingly, the shells aren' that hard to find. A little harder than 12s or 20s, but easily in reach if you live near a Gander Mountain, Cabela's or Bass Pro. A little more expensive than 20s or 12s, but no more than .410s or 28s.

I might not recommend the 16 as someone's lone shotgun, but if you're at all into shotgunning and haven't played with one ... do so. It's a hoot!

Good on ya! From what I've heard from purists, the 16ga is *the* shotgun to use. Having learned to shoot pistols first, then rifles, then shotguns, my abilities on the trap and skeet fields are sorely lacking <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I'm envious! When fortune $miles upon me I'm going to get a 16 and a 28. Had my eye on one of those Ruger Red labels for awhile. I think the pheasants are going to tremble at your approach... <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I can heartily endorse the Ruger Label 28 gauge. I've got one with 28" barrels and the regular pistol-grip stock, and that gun never fails to make me smile. Carries like pool cue, recoil is next to none and it smacks on the business end harder than it has any right to. When it comes to pheasant, though, I restrict that one to game-farm duty. I like something with a bit heavier shot charge for wild or state-released birds.

I too, was a rile/pistol shooter before taking up shtogunning. There was definitely some unlearning to do followed by lots of practice and new learning. Ended up adopting a pretty simple method (move/mount/shoot) espoused by Michael McIntosh is his book "Shotguns and Shooting." Spent a lot of spring and summer time on the skeet field shooting this way, and it really helped my bird hunting in the fall and winter.

I still try to get out once a week for four rounds of skeet. I don't worry about scores as much as doing it properly and understanding the why of it when I miss. I tend to hang right around 85/100, which I think is fairly respectable for a guy shooting from an unmounted or "low" gun. It's good practice, it's fun and it helps me not go too nuts waiting for November.

Many fine european combination firearms employ the 16 because of those same handling abilities in a proportionate receiver. My shotgun for many years was a 16 guage 97.

Not a bad choice, and certainly elegant and classic.

But modern powders can make a 12ga just as easy to shoot as a 20ga, and there is a lot more selection for those times when you've got a craving for special fodder. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

ironraven, I certaintly concur that the 12 is the most versatile gauge going. Even a non-reloader can pick easily up anything from 7/8 to 1 1/2 oz loads in 2 3/4" (alhough I have no need for those big loads ... 1 1/4 oz. will do for the uplands).

My purchase of the 16 was a fortunate luxury. I already have an alloy-receiver Beretta 686S Ultralight over/under in 12 ga. that is a gem for all-day walking. It actually comes in an ounce or two lighter than my 16 or my 20. But there is something fetching about the proportions/lines of well-crafted 20s and 16s.