16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 21 Jan 2018 Posts: 38 Location: Colorado

I’ve appreciated and enjoyed McReynolds through his writing for TU but in reporting on the rise of the 16ga O/U he has (perhaps inadvertently) given us a concise narrative of the historic circumstances that resulted in the preservation of the gauge in its pure form and the best apologetic for the 16 that I’ve seen.

I have to agree. The gauge and all that goes along with it is indeed - Sweet.

https://shootingsportsman.com/sweet-over-unders/

ShowmeSon,

Good article no doubt about it, however most of us Grouse hunters hunt with SXS double guns not O/U's. He references the new CNC engineering for building the O/U and its advantage, unfortunately no CNC machine can fully build parts for a Side Lock double gun. I own many 16 gauge guns, not one of them is an O/U however. IMO they are still a might heavy for a 16 gauge gun to be walking the moutains with, while Grouse hunting. If you are going to go to the dark side, all the new modern 16 gauge O/U guns look very interesting for the younger generations.

For me however I will continue to Grouse & Woodcock hunt with my L.C. Smith & J.P. Sauer SXS 16 gauge double guns.

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

J.P.Sauer 1880's Best 16 gauge German Grouse Gun, built on a 20 gauge frame.

Joined: 21 Jan 2018 Posts: 38 Location: Colorado

Dave, all my 16’s are SxS’s as well (don’t own an O/U) but I guess I’ll just be glad for the gauges’ “renaissance”.

ShowmeSon,

Don't get me wrong I would like to have one for my gun dog business, would use it bringing the young dogs up thru the gun line, noise wise. Shooting training birds for them to get use to the louder noise from a bigger gun. Doubt I would ever do much actual hunting with it however. Maybe some Pheasant hunting every once in a great while.

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

I already do this with my 28/20 combo gun, don't have a medium quality 16 gauge right now to work with the dogs.

Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 49 Location: Idaho

Thanks for the kind words gentlemen. I have been through lots of SxS guns, many of them in 16ga. In fact, I have nice little french 16 SxS in my safe right now. Unfortunately, I've never found a SxS that I shoot very well. So, I stick to stack-barrel guns and over the last few years, I basically only shoot one gun for hunting.

Best,

GregMc