Sweet 16

[Ron LaClair]

I've got two 20ga and one 12ga smoothbores, I'm having a 46" 16ga being built, anyone have a 16 and how do you like it :idunno:

 

[Juice Jaws]

I have the Officer's Model made by North Star West which is a 16 ga. I shoot mostly round ball with mine. 60 grains 3f goex, and a .648 round ball with a .010 spit patch. I really enjoy mine.

 

[Pukka Bundook]

I have a homemade with a Don Getz barrel, 44".
Also another 42" barrel to stock up.
I like the 16 better than a 20 because they are most often lighter than the latter, and also lighter than a 12. Lightness is V important in a sporting gun, but not so important in a smooth rifle.

 

[smo]

I own a 44” Colerain cyl bore 16 gauge made by Tip Curtis.

I had a rotator cuff repair surgery shortly after buying it so I haven’t been able to put in as much time in load development as I would like.

My bore mics at .653 and the only RB ”˜s I have found for it are .626, as far as shot loads ... it seems to shoot better with lighter powder loads pushing more shot.

Are you getting the bore choked ?

 

[Ron LaClair]

The barrel is a 46" Colerain on a 20ga profile. I bought the barrel online and had it shipped to Pecatonica to be inlayed into a French style walnut stock. It will have a LH French & Indian lock by Stan Hollenbaugh. A good friend is very talented is going to finish off the gun and hopefully I'll be hunting with it be squirrel season in September.

I just had a total shoulder replacement three weeks ago on the arm that will be holding up the gun. It's coming along good so I know it will be ready come fall.

PS, no choke in the barrel

 

[Rifleman1776]

Can't help you with experience using a 16. I've had 11, 14 and 20 ga. smoothies. It's possible to love them all for their individual characteristics. You seem to love smoothies and I believe adding a new member to the family will be a lot of fun for you. Go fer it, enjoy and keep us up to date on yer experience with it.

 

[jrmflintlock]

I can't wait to see pictures!!

 

[Ron LaClair]

I think a 653 bore is closer to a 17ga. I miked my bore and it's 660. Track of the wolf has 648 RB's for 16ga that I'm going to order.

I've got a Tip Curtis 48" 20ga barrel, I haven't miked it yet, I hope it's near to the same size as my other two 20's

 

[Stumpkiller]

Love my Mike Brooks 16 gauge (42" swamped octagon to round, flame walnut, 7 lbs).

I think it's the perfect upland gun that can be pressed to whitetail service with a round ball. I'm afraid I've neglected my .54 Lehigh since she came home.

 

[tenngun]

I have often wondered why the 16 fell out of vogue. My brother got a 26 when I was a kid. It was his first shot gun. When I got old enough I wanted one, this was about 1972, and a 26 was not to be found.
A few years later I got in to ML, and sure enough there are 20s and 12s, 16s ain’t hens teeth but still cute when you can find one.

 

[Ron LaClair]

That's a sweet lookin sweet 16 Stump,I should have my French & Indian lock from Stan Hollenbaugh next week and then we can start building mine.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have often wondered why the 16 fell out of vogue.

I believe the 16 lost it's following when modern shotshells improved to the point where 20 ga. became more effective. There simply was no need for the in between size of a 16. That mindset has carried over into the ml realm. That's my :2 FWIW.

 

[Ron LaClair]

You very well may be right Rifleman but the muzzleloading smoothbore to us (me anyway) is a versatile gun that shoots both shot and roundball. I had a 28ga but regretfully sold it. Now I have a 12ga, two 20's and I have room in my rack for a 16. That should keep me from getting bored....for awhile :wink:

At my age,..82, I have to have something to look forward to, something that makes me feel excited and want to jump out of bed in the morning. :grin:

 

[Rifleman1776]

At my age,..82, I have to have something to look forward to, something that makes me feel excited and want to jump out of bed in the morning.

I'm with you, at my age, 79 and only three months from 80, with three heart surgeries, bad kidneys, and a tumor removed from my spinal cord, I kinda got down on myself. Had to give up my shooting for a long time but that is resuming. And, good news is, I have something happening (ml-wise) that makes me feel like an excited kid again. More on this project will come later. :grin:

 

[Stumpkiller]

At my age,..82, I have to have something to look forward to, something that makes me feel excited and want to jump out of bed in the morning. :grin:

Like the sound of her husband's car coming up the driveway? :hatsoff:

Keep us posted on the project.

We're getting a nine-week old puppy Saturday. That will be getting me out of bed a couple times a night for the next six weeks or so.

 

[nhmoose]

Like the sound of her husband's car coming up the driveway? :hatsoff:

Keep us posted on the project.
[/quote]

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :thumbsup:

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Ron, I can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Love my Mike Brooks 16 gauge (42" swamped octagon to round, flame walnut, 7 lbs).

I think it's the perfect upland gun that can be pressed to whitetail service with a round ball. I'm afraid I've neglected my .54 Lehigh since she came home.

Man that's gorgeous! Ol' Mike sure can build a smoothie!

 

[Rat]

My brother says that: "a 16 kicks like a 12, but hits like a 20". But my brother is kind of weird.

 

[Lobo]

Here she is, her name is "Matilda" Fusil Fine, 46" 16ga