Taking old sweet 16 hunting
- Thread starter mattk
- Start date
UplandHntr
Well-known member
I had a place that had 16ga fiocchi but you didn't respond where youre located.
Why would you buy it but not hunt with it?
Why would you buy it but not hunt with it?
Went to the Walmart, they were sold out. Ended up going to a little gun shop after going to many and found 3 boxes of Federal. Thinking about buying reloading equipment so I don’t have this problem!!
KSBrittman
Active member
Congratulations on a classic , I sure would as well . I would make sure she is good and clean and I would run a few loads through her on clays to ensure function and maybe pattern a few loads you plan on using .
Goosemaster
Well-known member
Wd40 that a5.Thats what I do.
A5 Sweet 16
Well-known member
Do you know what choke it has???
I'd definitely make sure it's all cleaned up & lubed & shoot the thing if there's nothing wrong with it.
Set friction rings up for light loads & put extra oil on the magazine tube. I just use RemOil. Works great.
If you have to use non-tox, my preference would be bismuth to protect the choke/barrel. Plus, it's just better than steel.
+
If it's full choke, I wouldn't shoot any steel though it.
If it's modified or improved cylinder, you'd be fine with steel because todays shot cups are tough enough to protect the barrel.
But...I wouldn't shoot any steel larger than #4 (maybe #3 if it happens to be imp. cylinder). Don't want shot to bridge & bulge the choke.
Enjoy!
I'd definitely make sure it's all cleaned up & lubed & shoot the thing if there's nothing wrong with it.
Set friction rings up for light loads & put extra oil on the magazine tube. I just use RemOil. Works great.
If you have to use non-tox, my preference would be bismuth to protect the choke/barrel. Plus, it's just better than steel.
+If it's full choke, I wouldn't shoot any steel though it.
If it's modified or improved cylinder, you'd be fine with steel because todays shot cups are tough enough to protect the barrel.
But...I wouldn't shoot any steel larger than #4 (maybe #3 if it happens to be imp. cylinder). Don't want shot to bridge & bulge the choke.
Enjoy!
akp
Active member
I'm not too sure you could find all of your reloading components right now. I did the same thing with my 28. Bought the reloader and components. In the end, it wasn't really necessary. If this wasn't mid season for everything, you'd still be able to buy 16 online with no problem. I just ordered a case of Fiocchi HV 5 for my 16 two weeks ago. There are 16 out there online.
Dakotazeb
Well-known member
The gun is 70 years old. Unless it has been done recently I would replace the friction rings and recoil spring. I did that with my 1960 Sweet I bought years back and it made a big difference. Also, make sure the friction rings are installed properly. Mine weren't when I got it and the recoil was terrible. They had placed both friction rings at the bottom of the magazine tube.
Just a word of advice before you go the reloading route. Unless you plan to do a lot of shooting with your Sweet (i.e. trap, sheet, sporting clays, etc.) reloading is not worth it. You will unlikely never recoup the cost of the equipment and components, There area a lot of good 16 ga. shell out there both lead and non-tox. Even if they cost you a little more that normal it will still be cheaper than reloading.
Just a word of advice before you go the reloading route. Unless you plan to do a lot of shooting with your Sweet (i.e. trap, sheet, sporting clays, etc.) reloading is not worth it. You will unlikely never recoup the cost of the equipment and components, There area a lot of good 16 ga. shell out there both lead and non-tox. Even if they cost you a little more that normal it will still be cheaper than reloading.
Thats my main hunting gun as well, I have a couple, the latest born in 1959 like me. What Dakotazeb said is spot on regarding rings and springs. DEADLY using Fiocchi golden pheasant # 5, luckily I stored up many cases of the shells so my grandchildren will probably have enough for their hunting careers too lol.
UplandHntr
Well-known member
I just left Cabelas in Mitchell and they are well stocked on most shells including Bismuth and Prairie Storm in 16 if this is where youre headed.
Goosemaster
Well-known member
MineDo you know what choke it has???
I'd definitely make sure it's all cleaned up & lubed & shoot the thing if there's nothing wrong with it.
Set friction rings up for light loads & put extra oil on the magazine tube. I just use RemOil. Works great.
If you have to use non-tox, my preference would be bismuth to protect the choke/barrel. Plus, it's just better than steel.
If it's full choke, I wouldn't shoot any steel though it.
If it's modified or improved cylinder, you'd be fine with steel because todays shot cups are tough enough to protect the barrel.
But...I wouldn't shoot any steel larger than #4 (maybe #3 if it happens to be imp. cylinder). Don't want shot to bridge & bulge the choke.
Enjoy!
My a5 is 90 years old 12 gauge mag.
