12 guage or 16 guage?

goldenboy

goldenboy

Well-known member
I know this will probably stir up real discussion among certain members, but I am interested in hearing your best argument for either 12 or 16 guage shotguns for pheasant hunting. I have always shot a 12 because I don't want to limit my range. I don't like the price of 16 guauge shells either. But on the other hand, I would really like to shoot a 16 for a year and give it an honest look. I wonder about the differences in ballistics, downrange knockdown power, etc. So give me your thoughts and your best sales pitch on your guage of choice, between 12 and 16. (I shoot over flushers so I don't have the luxury of walking up to a point and shooting with a 28 or other smaller bores like that)
 
12 all the way for me. I'd take a nice 20 before a 16...

You can shoot light 20 gauge type loads plus go way heavier and for ME something heavier than an ounce and a quarter ARE needed. Really no debate that I'm a more effective wild pheasant hunter with heavier loads here were populations are low. 3 inch 12 gauge loads just handle 50 yard shots better. A lot of guys don't take them shots but I do and my kill to shot ratio is pretty good.

Non toxic load variety in the 12 is way better.

You can get modern 12 gauge guns that are lighter than 16's. If you like a light gun.

Ammo is cheaper and more available.

More variety in guns and chokes to find one thats exactly like you want.
 
I have used a twelve a few times, but for the last forty years I have been a 16 fan. I have shot geese quite succesfully. The longest shot was 70 yards. The bird dropped dead. I feel I shoot better with a not so hot load. No balistics here just experience. Nothing wrong with a twelve but I don't think you need it for pheasants.
 
haymaker said:
I have used a twelve a few times, but for the last forty years I have been a 16 fan. I have shot geese quite succesfully. The longest shot was 70 yards. The bird dropped dead. I feel I shoot better with a not so hot load. No balistics here just experience. Nothing wrong with a twelve but I don't think you need it for pheasants.
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Haymaker, you been shooting a 16 for 40 years! Wow now there is some time and experience. Do you reload or where do you buy shells all the time for a 16?
 
I buy 16s at Sodak sport and bait in aberdeen. I do shoot a full choke. The wounded warrior hunt demonstrated that 16s in the right hands is quite effective.
 
12 /16

for what it's worth. i shoot both. my s/s 16 is great for corn rows. light and quick. my 12 is great for more open and longer shots.
 
ammo selection, availability, price, etc
I suppose if you wanted to keep a flat of ammo on hand at all times, availability isnt a concern.

Kind of like shooting a 30.06 for big game vs one of the designer rounds.
 
12/16

perception! i enjoy all the aspects of hunting.i try not to make it too confusing,or thinking too much. just great to be out.
 
I have five 16's but I wouldn't suggest it as ones only gun to hunt with. The 12 wins on that category. Unless you only hunt Pheasants and that's it. The 16 is "Th"E" perfect Pheasant gun. No other gun carries with ease and still has the pattern and poop to knock a big old wild rooster right on his key-ster like the 16.
 
I grew up shooting a 16 ga. and never felt under gunned along side the guys with 12's. Didn't get a 12 until I was about 30 years old and then shot 12's for over 30 years. A few years ago I bought a Citori 16 ga. and last year a Sweet Sixteen. 16's are all I use now and my 12's sit in the gun case. I shoot just as many birds with my 16's as I did with the 12's. I really can't say I noticed any difference in knock down power as long as I do my job.

In general, the 16's are going to carry a little lighter than a 12 depending on the gun. If you buy a 16 make sure it one that's not made on a 12 ga. frame. The 16 ga. Citori's are actually made on a modified 20 ga. frame.

I don't see ammo as an issue. Yes, it does cost a little more but how many boxes do you shoot a year. The difference probably isn't as much as a tank of gas. I've been shooting B&P 16 ga. shells and had good luck with them. If you buy at least a case (8 boxes) the shipping is free and they are $11.50 per box. One negative of the 16's is the lack of non-tox shells available.
 
So you like the browning 16 does Beretta make a nice one? My Beretta 12 fits me well. I don't own a citori, but I have looked at them alot and they fit me well. I love the palm swell on some of the 12's. Fits really nice in the hand, and also comes up right for me.
 
To my knowledge Beretta does not currently make any shotguns in 16 ga. Not sure Beretta ever made many 16's. I know they made a Silver Hawk SxS in 16. Choices on new 16's is limited.
 
I'm all in on the 16's. If you feel undergunned with a 16 ....learn to shoot better. I shoot a Model 12 16ga and have a Citori 16. Don't need a 12ga. it sits in the safe gathering dust. Fausti makes a nice 16 called the Celadon <sp>. browning makes a run of 16's every few years. Model 12's and Ithaca 37's are always available.
 
Only big difference between 16-12 ga. is the fact that smaller gauges 16 down do not handle large shot as well. #5 are about it. Yes I know they sell #2's in a 3" 20ga. I doubt if any 20's digest that very well. I think you will be happy with a 16 ga. using a 1 oz. loads, +/-. Use "nice shot" or "ITX" for early guns which should not be used with steel shot. My wife nailed a teal with a 16ga., jumping pheasants with 2 1/2" 1 oz. #5's in "RST , "nice shot", in an Ithaca 6# weighted Flues double. No handicap with pheasants at all. Besides I like the purple shells!
 
Cobblestone said:
I'm all in on the 16's. If you feel undergunned with a 16 ....learn to shoot better. I shoot a Model 12 16ga and have a Citori 16. Don't need a 12ga. it sits in the safe gathering dust. Fausti makes a nice 16 called the Celadon <sp>. browning makes a run of 16's every few years. Model 12's and Ithaca 37's are always available.
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Model 12 is a great 16ga. They are 20 gauge frame, bored out to accomadate the 16ga. chambering. So amazingly, they are lighter than the 20's in a model 12. Great versatile gauge most of the fire power of a 12, with the weight of a 20.
 
If you walk into any place that sells shotgun shells, there will be 12 ga. shells for sale. Not necessarily so for 16 ga. End of pitch.
 
Non-tox is the only drawback for 16's. I took a plunge this year and bought a case of Kent tungsten-matrix. Found it at Sportsmen guide $5 cheaper than anywhere else. You can find 16 lead anywhere on the net and always available. Find a load you like and buy it. For all the info on 16's you could ever possibly need, 16ga.com is where to be.
 
BritChaser said:
If you walk into any place that sells shotgun shells, there will be 12 ga. shells for sale. Not necessarily so for 16 ga. End of pitch.
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Generally those of us, with the spit behind our ears dried, and prepared don't go to the ACE hardware, or the Casey's, in a town of 200 the night before the season opener to buy shells. Or lisences. I guess were good Scouts and be prepared! By the way, I doubt you get what you want there in 12 gauge either.
 
I'd argue that it takes a better shot to take advantage of a bigger payload. Some guys do use it for a crutch but most any old 1 1/8 -1 1/4 ounce load of 5's or 6's with a modified choke will make quick work of a pheasant at 40 yards but out beyond that where the bigger payloads actually make a difference a lot of guys struggle to make them shots. Then there is the times my only shots are shooting through willows,or cane where extra pellets help too.

Spare the unethical card too my down bird to recovery rate is very good.

When I hunt in the early season or where bird numbers are better than here locally I do break out a 20 gauge some of the time. It works great when it's practical to pick your shots. I'd try a 16 and probably a 28 too but day in and day out for ME a 12 is better.
 
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