16 bores, any good?

[fielder 18]

Hi, does anyone on here use a 16 bore? How do they compare? Are they the best of both worlds between a 12 and a 20?

How do they compare weight, power and recoil wise? Also how available are they?

[Guest Macnas]

Fielder

 

16 bore guns are every bit as good as 12's in the sense that they can do almost everything the other can do. You don't get the variety of loads that you do with 12's but the performance is very similar.

 

16's are usually a bit lighter than the normal game weight 12 bore, the "power" and recoil depends on the load you are using, just like a 12 or a 20.

 

You can find them cropping up anywhere, but beware, they are starting to get more expensive, there is a bit of a resurgance in their popularity.

 

The only real issue I would have with 16 bore is the cost of cartridges, which works out (in Ireland at any rate) as being half again more expensive than 12 bore cartridges.

[macberran 2]

Shoot a J.D Blanche 16g (sbs) on the wee shoots I get guested on, its great even after 100 yrs(nearly), I agree the carts are pricie but I don't do big bird days,it hits and is also an intresting conv piece..........for £45 . I have other 12s though this is my "shoot piece"! and a wee smasher too

[Deker 3,491]

Agree with everything Macnas said. Think he has just about said it all but the choice of guns is also far more limited than 12g.

 

That now makes the set of 4 flags.......

 

Deker

[fielder 18]

Thanks all, the advice is appreciated.