Thought this might be a good thread to get ideas why the 16 gauge is over-looked for turkey. I have a sweet sixteen Browning with a 26 inch barrel, DS Invector choke system. I put a Brilley Extra Full Turkey choke in it, it patterns real well. Here is the big news, it weighs 5 pounds, 12 ounces. It does not kick much at all. I know the biggest reason why it is not popular is availability of loads. I do see Apex makes some Turkey loads for the 16's. Love to hear the forum's thoughts on this. I haven't used it for turkey yet, but next year I may give it a go. It is a great pheasant/bird gun....Thanks...
As you have said the only reason I believe the 16 is overlooked is the LACK of off the shelf ammo. If you have a gun that shoots and patterns well and can get or reload your own ammo, I think the 16 would be a GREAT gun. When I was a young man, the 16 was a great quail and rabbit gun and you could get plenty of over the counter ammo.
Thanks, yes the turkey loads are not plentiful. I did have no problem getting high brass upland Nicklel plated #5's, they come in boxes of 25 very reasonable. They patterned well. Be safe.....
With 20s, 28s and even .410s being used now no reasons 16 won't work. Alot of the sub gauge users are getting their ammo from Apex or Nitro and they both make 16. If a 20 can do it a 16 gauge will be no different.
The 16 gauge has made a bit of a comeback Walmart Academy etc. sell buck shot and high brass loads now. For a long time any 16 gauge load was hard to find.
Thanks LA. I think I am going to work more with it, and get some turkey loads from the list you mentioned. The gun handles real nice, I have to think about camo for it.
Nothing wrong with the 16 ga. I have one and always enjoy shooting the little gun.
My step father uses an old left handed bolt action 16 for deer hunting that would perform well on turkey too I would suppose.
16 and 28 are making a comeback especially in the SxS and O/U platforms.
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Wow, thanks team. You convinced me to "Turkey-ise" it. Be safe....
Good gun, can find quality ammo for it and it patterns well. And it's light. Enjoy it in the woods this spring!
Quote from: Sir-diealot on July 02, 2020, 11:41:33 AM
My step father uses an old left handed bolt action 16 for deer hunting that would perform well on turkey too I would suppose.
You should try it On your next NY bird......
Quote from: Tail Feathers on July 02, 2020, 02:54:49 PM
Good gun, can find quality ammo for it and it patterns well. And it's light. Enjoy it in the woods this spring!
Thanks much......
Quote from: Greg Massey on July 02, 2020, 11:40:16 AM
Nothing wrong with the 16 ga. I have one and always enjoy shooting the little gun.
Thanks Greg....
I killed a lot of turkeys with an 11-48 16 gauge as a kid. My Mom still uses it on occasion. I just got back from my parents house in Florida. I was looking at it last night remembering some of the deer, hogs and turkeys I have killed with it.
16 gauge is really my favorite, but I have never shot a turkey with one. I have killed many a dove though. I have several, and I plan on shooting one with my old A5 one day. I bet the new A5 is a sweet gun!
Quote from: Tom007 on July 02, 2020, 03:36:44 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on July 02, 2020, 11:41:33 AM
My step father uses an old left handed bolt action 16 for deer hunting that would perform well on turkey too I would suppose.
You should try it On your next NY bird......
I am not left handed for one, he also lives in PA so would not work well. I am pretty sure he intends to leave it to one of his brothers.
Quote from: guesswho on July 02, 2020, 06:45:24 PM
I killed a lot of turkeys with an 11-48 16 gauge as a kid. My Mom still uses it on occasion. I just got back from my parents house in Florida. I was looking at it last night remembering some of the deer, hogs and turkeys I have killed with it.
Maybe you can give it a go next season.....
Quote from: Jstocks on July 02, 2020, 06:59:14 PM
16 gauge is really my favorite, but I have never shot a turkey with one. I have killed many a dove though. I have several, and I plan on shooting one with my old A5 one day. I bet the new A5 is a sweet gun!
Fantastic. I am going to set it up for turkey....
Quote from: Tom007 on July 03, 2020, 09:26:58 AM
Maybe you can give it a go next season.....
I killed one with it 3 years ago. Getting about time to carry an old friend again. I forgot to mention that my Mom and Dad bought it from my Great Grandma on my Moms side in the late 60's. So there is a lot of family history tied to it as well.
Wow, that is great. It will be a nostalgic hunt, tons of memories. Good luck.....
My challenge now is how to camo it. It is new, so I really don't want to crerakote. Also, the walnut stock is shinny gloss finish. I am searching for synthetic stock to take off the wood one. Can't seem to find one. The blued finish is kind of satin, not real shiny. The stock is too much, gobblers will pick it off......
Tractor supply sells a camo vet wrap in the horse section, easy on easy off, dull no shine finish.
it has a slight rubber feel to it and is also nice for helping to keep the gun from sliding off your knee
Thanks for info....
I HAD A 16 GA, PUMP WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG JUST STARTING TO HUNT I LOVE A 16 I SOLD IT AND GOT A 12 GA . I WISH I HAD MY BUT KICKED FOR LETING IT GO IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR ONE FOR YEARS NOW VERY HARD TO FIND...
Yes, I regret a few of my gun sales too. My new rule, keep them. So far, no regrets.......thanks be safe
Quote from: Tom007 on July 03, 2020, 10:25:44 AM
My challenge now is how to camo it. It is new, so I really don't want to crerakote. Also, the walnut stock is shinny gloss finish. I am searching for synthetic stock to take off the wood one. Can't seem to find one. The blued finish is kind of satin, not real shiny. The stock is too much, gobblers will pick it off......
I used the Mossy Oak vinyl gun skin(wrap) on an 1187 Premier. It was pretty easy to put on and left no residue when it off 3-4 years later. The gun looked just as good when I took it off as it did when I put it on. The only issue I had was it was kind of slick/slippery with certain types of gloves. Particularly cotton/jersey type gloves. For $30 and an hour or two of time, it's an easy & inexpensive way to camo a gun.
https://www.mossyoakgraphics.com/shotgun-wrap-mossy-oak-camo-gun-skin
Wow, it's funny that is what I have coming in mail. Thanks for letting me know it worked great. I got the original bottomland. Did it stay on good? Looked good in the video.....be safe
Quote from: Tom007 on July 03, 2020, 10:25:44 AM
My challenge now is how to camo it. It is new, so I really don't want to crerakote. Also, the walnut stock is shinny gloss finish. I am searching for synthetic stock to take off the wood one. Can't seem to find one. The blued finish is kind of satin, not real shiny. The stock is too much, gobblers will pick it off......
I am thinking of building my own leather stock cover for a new 410 sxs I bought. I didn't want to cerakote it, and I've been watching some YouTube videos on leather working.
You could contact a leather sling or stock cover company and ask them to build you a custom cover for the stock.
Another good idea. I am going to see how this mossy oak skin works....great idea though...kinda like the old Kane Gun stock covers.....they were not bad..
Finally finished setting up the Sweet 16. I followed the forum's advice and put the Mossy Oak Gun Skin on the stock. Great material. It is easy to install, but it takes time to get it perfect. I used a hair dryer to smooth out wrinkles in the curves. My friend actually thought it was dipped. I topped it with a Burris Fast Fire 3 red dot, on a Meadow Creek Mount. I installed a Briley .600 Turkey Choke, they recommended this for the 16. I will be hitting the range with some Apex TSS 7.5, and some Fiocchi Nickel plated number 5's. Thanks for all the great advice, I will have this out in 2021. Be safe, thanks...
Tombo, that is a GREAT looking gun. Keep us posted on patterning. I believe the TSS will be the way to go. That TSS should make that gun a 40 plus gun. I wouldn't hesitate to try some 9's, if legal in your state. Good Luck with her and post some PICS.
Will do my friend, thanks so much. Be safe...
Looks fantastic! Can't wait to see the pattern! Awesome job on the wrap
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Thanks so much. Be safe......
Nice job Tom, now you just need to christen it.
That's a sweet looking sixteen!!!!
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Quote from: King Cobra on August 06, 2020, 05:04:55 AM
Nice job Tom, now you just need to christen it.
Thanks my friend.
Quote from: Ozarks Hillbilly on August 06, 2020, 06:01:45 AM
That's a sweet looking sixteen!!!!
Thank you, be safe...
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