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< 16ga. Guns ~ Only One Gun |
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Posted:
Sun Apr 17, 2022 10:23 am
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Joined: 01 Oct 2007
Posts: 965
Location: Minnesota
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If I could only own one shotgun, it would be a 12 ga, a Benelli SBE. I own one and rarely shoot it, cause I have so many other shotguns that are specialists. But that 12 ga Benelli will do it all from pass shooting geese to doves. |
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Posted:
Sun Apr 17, 2022 10:27 am
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Joined: 20 Feb 2020
Posts: 1
Location: United States
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For me it would be a Browning A5 Sweet 16 w/Invector chokes. Super reliable and is adaptable to everything I hunt for. |
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Posted:
Sun Apr 17, 2022 12:05 pm
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Member
Joined: 21 Dec 2005
Posts: 722
Location: Napoleon, MI
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If only one 16GA gun.....my 16ga 1935 Remington Model 31 w/ 26" mod barrel
If only one GUN..... my 12ga 1996 Remington Wingmaster Enhanced w/ 26" light contour VR barrel...
10yrs ago I would have told you a Browning Automatic 5 w/ 26" barrel, modified choke, any gauge. But in the last few years, I've come to rely on pump guns more and more. Unless they are broken, I've never had one jam, easy to unload to make safe crossing fences etc, and just all classic working man style.
Unfortunately more than one time I've had a critical jam in an Automatic at a critical time, and I believe it's more with current cheaper shell components than the guns..
But I don't have these troubles in pumps...maybe it's a "looser" fit on the action components because of the simpler design of a pump...I have no idea.
SxS and O/U guns are awesome, and I love them...but I don't shoot either type well at all, had and shot ALOT of them...probably some bad habit I've acquired... |
_________________ Good luck & great hunting,
-Danny Pratt |
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Posted:
Sun Apr 17, 2022 5:20 pm
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Joined: 07 Jun 2020
Posts: 237
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dannypratt wrote: |
If only one 16GA gun.....my 16ga 1935 Remington Model 31 w/ 26" mod barrel
If only one GUN..... my 12ga 1996 Remington Wingmaster Enhanced w/ 26" light contour VR barrel...
10yrs ago I would have told you a Browning Automatic 5 w/ 26" barrel, modified choke, any gauge. But in the last few years, I've come to rely on pump guns more and more. Unless they are broken, I've never had one jam, easy to unload to make safe crossing fences etc, and just all classic working man style.
Unfortunately more than one time I've had a critical jam in an Automatic at a critical time, and I believe it's more with current cheaper shell components than the guns..
But I don't have these troubles in pumps...maybe it's a "looser" fit on the action components because of the simpler design of a pump...I have no idea.
SxS and O/U guns are awesome, and I love them...but I don't shoot either type well at all, had and shot ALOT of them...probably some bad habit I've acquired...
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Could not agree with you more. What is best for each of us is what we shoot best. Which is a personal thing based of what we have used and a ton of variables.
I grew up with 16ga SXS guns and it remains my comfort zone. Early in life I learned to respect the man who has long shot a particular gun regardless of what action. |
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Posted:
Sun Apr 17, 2022 5:32 pm
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Joined: 03 Sep 2014
Posts: 398
Location: Rochester, MN
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If I had to live with only one gun, I would have to part with a couple of 12 gauge pumps, and a couple of semiautos.
I would keep a old 16 gauge Stevens 5100 sxs. I shoot it for skeet and clays. I seldom shoot trap and I find it useless, in my hands for trap. I have taken many pheasants, rabbits, ducks and geese with it.
I do fear that I will wear it out someday as I shoot it more and better than any other gun that I own. |
_________________ John Singer |
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Posted:
Sun Apr 17, 2022 6:54 pm
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Member
Joined: 12 Jun 2008
Posts: 372
Location: Kansas
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My 16ga Mod 12 that my father gave me and his father gave him whose brother-in-law bought it new in 1948. Wouldn’t part with it for a Purdey or a Model 21 with all the engraving. The connection to those men is priceless, and I shoot it well. Nothing much else a man needs.
-Ben
He is Risen! |
_________________ 1 Tim 1:15 |
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Posted:
Sun Apr 17, 2022 8:20 pm
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Member
Joined: 25 Jun 2008
Posts: 1863
Location: Wisconsin
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If it had to be a sixteen, it would be a 26” full choke model 12 with a 14” LOP. I’d want the tight choke for long distance and more than two shells of a double. Reno |
_________________ If you speak ill of farmers, don't do it with your mouth full. |
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Posted:
Sun Apr 17, 2022 8:38 pm
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Joined: 22 May 2020
Posts: 273
Location: Ky
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A 16x16x270win drilling would be all I needed. |
_________________ “Never use an ugly gun to kill a beautiful bird” |
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Posted:
Mon Apr 18, 2022 5:52 am
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Member
Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Posts: 1395
Location: Tappahannock, Virginia
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If only one...
I guess I’d settle for my 16ga 525. It is the most all around gun I own. Chokes, steel friendly, fits well, and at seven pounds I don’t feel too burdened in the field and it’s a decent enough clays gun.
Most of this year’s training season I’ve been carrying my honorary 16ga. AYA 12ga XXV boxlock. At 6lbs 4oz, it’s a match to my 16ga Ugartechea XXV. Feeding it B&P 1 oz loads, so I almost count it as a 16. The AYA just fits me perfectly. |
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Posted:
Mon Apr 18, 2022 6:26 am
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Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2010
Posts: 356
Location: Ponchatoula, Louisiana
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Beretta 390 with Muller chokes |
_________________ The reason I am awed by shotgun shooters is that most of them don’t know how in the hell they do what they do.
Charles F. Waterman, |
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Posted:
Mon Apr 18, 2022 8:03 am
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Member
Joined: 27 Jun 2012
Posts: 1115
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I'd probably just keep reaching for my Zabala made TriStar Brittany with the Wenig fitted stock. I shoot it better than any of my other guns, especially on those quick shots when I've been surprised by some sneaky quail's flush,
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_________________ An elderly gentleman, his faithful dogs, and a 16 ga SXS. All is right with the world. |
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Posted:
Mon Apr 18, 2022 10:06 am
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Member
Joined: 09 Jan 2013
Posts: 2177
Location: Florida
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If I had to choose today it would b my "new" SweetSixteen. I have use it to kill Dove , Quail, Pheasant, Ducks , Hogs. I Shoot it quite a bit for Sporting Clays with 7/8oz loads .
I would dare to say I shoot it better than any gun I own. Really like the weight of it and the ability to shoot pretty much any ammo I want through it. |
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Posted:
Mon Apr 18, 2022 9:53 pm
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Joined: 08 Feb 2009
Posts: 1322
Location: Western WA
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Shouldn’t the correct answer to the question be a gun the we don’t currently own, so that we have to go out right away and get one?
At least in my case, that’s the situation. It’s a lightweight 16ga SxS, straight grip, splinter forend, double triggers, 26” IC/M. Maybe a H&H style sidelock (hand removable of course for those moments when a new firing pin is needed in the field).
Why a light SXS? Very simple. Such a gun could be used for any game, from woodcock in the tag alders and quail in the briar patches, to grouse, pheasant, rabbit, teal, greenheads, fox and coyotes, and in a pinch, big Canadas. And deer, why not? I would, however, draw the line at the big bears, notwithstanding the preference of some Alaska guides for a short SXS loaded slug/00 buck.
Funny thing is, my 29 1/2” AYA doesn’t quite fit the bill so I guess I better start looking…after I find that early 870 in 16 ga which was the first shotgun I ever shouldered but walked away from, and no gun since has ever felt better.
V/R
B. |
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Posted:
Tue Apr 19, 2022 2:44 am
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Member
Joined: 06 Oct 2007
Posts: 2357
Location: West MI
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16ga Wingmaster w/tubes. |
_________________ Sorry, I'm a Duck Hunter so shouldn't be held strictly responsible for my actions between Oct 1st and ice up. |
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Posted:
Tue Apr 19, 2022 5:23 am
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Tight race between my 16 gauge Iside and my Beretta 686 12 ga. 10 years ago it would have been the Beretta hands down, but the 7 lb. weight feels heavier at 62 vs 52, and my Iside weighs 6 1/4. Ducks to doodles, no problem. |
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