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< 16ga. General Discussion ~ New Sweet 16 vs original |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 5:45 am
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Joined: 24 Mar 2016
Posts: 72
Location: Louisiana
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I have reached the point of my life where I am finding myself culling the gun safe. I have a late 60's Sweet 16 that is my gun of choice. I grew up shooting hump backs and nothing works as well for me. I recently handled my first new A5 16. It pointed and felt good. Looking for opinions on if there is any reason/ advantage to getting a new one. Will be used for ducks and doves. Other than invector chokes, any thoughts? Thanks. |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 6:26 am
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Joined: 13 Oct 2014
Posts: 253
Location: North Shore of Boston
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I've owned a vintage Sweet 16, and currently own a New A5 Sweet 16 - in my opinion the new Sweet 16 is F-A-R more preferable.
The gun is extremely light, has a nice feel to it, and interchangeable chokes offer a huge advantage.
In comparison, although I tip my hat to vintage Sweet 16's, they are bygone technology. They are not light weight in modern terms, and most of the ones I've seen have been compromised in one way or another. The one I owned was circa 1970 but somebody had put a Moroku barrel on it and it just didn't work for me. Would I consider buying another one ?, maybe - but it would have to be in original condition. |
_________________ Bill K
North of Boston
Browning New A5 Sweet Sixteen circa 2019
Browning Citori Upland 16 GA circa 2014
Darne R10 1962
Browning Sweet Sixteen 16 GA circa 1957
Savage Fox Sterlingworth 16 GA circa 1934 |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 6:53 am
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Joined: 27 Jan 2016
Posts: 490
Location: Oswego, Kansas
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For your use the light weight of the new model will probably not be needed if you are not carrying it across fields all day. I would stick with the original and maybe have tubes put in the barrel for the steel shot, however Boss Bismuth loads work great as it is. |
_________________ Sweet sixteen forever
LC Smith Field Grade
LC Smith Ideal Grade
CZ Ringneck
Win. Model 12
Rem M11
Stevens 235 |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:09 am
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I'd only go with the new SW16 if you needed the light weight, and for your ducks and doves I don't see the need. Honestly, I had an "ick" reaction the first time I looked at the new A5 and saw the lovely engraving and screws were replaced with torx screws and non-engraved graphics. I bought one anyway, modified it to make it more comfortable, but in the end it went away. |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:13 am
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Joined: 20 Jul 2011
Posts: 625
Location: Ohio..where ruffed grouse were
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dwr353 wrote: |
I have reached the point of my life where I am finding myself culling the gun safe. I have a late 60's Sweet 16 that is my gun of choice. I grew up shooting hump backs and nothing works as well for me. I recently handled my first new A5 16. It pointed and felt good. Looking for opinions on if there is any reason/ advantage to getting a new one. Will be used for ducks and doves. Other than invector chokes, any thoughts? Thanks.
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The largest reason for an A5 purchase appears to be in order to keep up with the Jones family.....new stuff sells.
Secondary reasons such as a 16 gauge, lightweight, modernity, the appeal of sawdust, etc. are not to be sneezed at either.
It's nice to have options...nicer still to not be swayed by marketing and must-haves. |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:43 am
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Joined: 21 Mar 2019
Posts: 523
Location: Texas
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I agree with dave, "ick" is exactly what I thought also. It feels cheap, but its not by price. Lots of issues with some of them. Have no idea why browning went with a benelli system. My sweet 16 carries and handles very well. Have second barrel with screw in chokes. In my opinion don't get any better, unless you just need(want) a new shotgun. I would suggest keeping the tried and true auto 5 very close, when the new one needs to return to browning, you wont miss a beat |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:45 am
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Member
Joined: 06 Aug 2004
Posts: 2172
Location: Kansas High Plains
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I've never owned either and won't but quite a few of my shooting chums shoot Brownings and those who shoot the older ones don't seem to have a very high opinion of the new ones. Just an observation. |
_________________ I feel a warm spot in my heart when I meet a man whiling away an afternoon...and stopping to chat with him, hear the sleek lines of his double gun whisper "Sixteen." - Gene Hill, Shotgunner's Notebook |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 8:53 am
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Joined: 01 Oct 2007
Posts: 962
Location: Minnesota
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I had one of the newer “old style” sweet 16s. Liked it, but I shoot lot of different shotguns and found that it took some getting used to, each time I took it out. Sold it five years ago. I now have the new SW16. Have not had it long and have only shot a couple hundred rounds through it. I shot it well, it’s quite a bit lighter than the older style. Frankly neither would be my “go to” shotgun, but of the two, I think I prefer the newer SW16. |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 10:36 am
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Joined: 24 Mar 2016
Posts: 72
Location: Louisiana
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I have two barrels for mine, a modified I hunt doves with and a full that my gunsmith opened up to Skeet 2. It produces an exceptional pattern on #4 steel shot at 35 yards. Swapping barrels is the only complaint I have. Not really a big deal. I have given up on finding a Mirikou barrel with invectors after years of searching. |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 10:38 am
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Joined: 24 Mar 2016
Posts: 72
Location: Louisiana
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I have two barrels for mine, a modified I hunt doves with and a full that my gunsmith opened up to Skeet 2. It produces an exceptional pattern on #4 steel shot at 35 yards. Swapping barrels is the only complaint I have. Not really a big deal. I have given up on finding a Mirikou barrel with invectors after years of searching. |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 12:16 pm
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Joined: 21 Mar 2019
Posts: 523
Location: Texas
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dwr- there are barrels out there with chokes for sale. ebay or art issack. expect to pay north of 600. |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 12:56 pm
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Joined: 24 Mar 2016
Posts: 72
Location: Louisiana
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Is art issack a smith or dealer? |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 1:01 pm
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Joined: 24 Mar 2016
Posts: 72
Location: Louisiana
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 1:28 pm
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Joined: 21 Mar 2019
Posts: 523
Location: Texas
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Yes sir your welcome. You will probably talk to brad or nick. Good guys. |
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Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2020 3:05 pm
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Joined: 19 Apr 2008
Posts: 477
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I love my 1961 Sweet 16. It is solid steel and wood. Old School all the way. Handles well and functions flawlessly. It is lighter and quicker than my Light 12. Kills roosters just as dead.
I have handled the new so-called Sweet 16. Just an imposter. Does not have the solid feel of the original. Not being able to use steel shot is little missed. Plenty of alternatives. I don't feel there is any comparison between the two. Original Sweet 16 all the way. |
_________________ Many places remain undiscovered. Some because no one has ever been there. Others because no one has ever come back. |
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