16 Gauge Defensive?

[JagerDog]

Not sure, I happened to have a lot of bird shot 16 ga, and was goofing around one night in February as SHTF over "covid" and noticed my local Bass pro had it in stock and picked up another case the next morning - I haven't seen any - anywhere - since. It isn't about light loads; its just about two old guns I have that are great firearms made by great companies and will out live me.

A number of vintage 16g had 2-9/16 chambers.

[Ducky's Dad]

And Parkers were 2-5/8" to use 2-3/4" shells. My short chambered Model 12 16ga guns (two) are fine with 2-3/4" shells. If there is ever an issue with Mod 12s, it is the ejection port.

[RobinGoodfellow]

I have a 16 gauge Savage. I never see ammo for it.

Go with a 12 or 20.

[whutsup40]

I have a 16 gauge Savage. I never see ammo for it.

Go with a 12 or 20.

There is ammo out there for it!!

[Ducky's Dad]

I probably have 4000-5000 rounds of 16ga field loads. But I still wouldn't buy a 16 for HD. It's just a bad idea.

[yuccales]

I have others for home protection, but would have no problem using my 16ga Sportsman 48 for that use. I saved this shotgun from a rusty death. Still fun to shoot!

[whutsup40]

I have others for home protection, but would have no problem using my 16ga Sportsman 48 for that use. I saved this shotgun from a rusty death. Still fun to shoot!

I also have a sportsman 48! Where did you get that barrel?

[yuccales]

I also have a sportsman 48! Where did you get that barrel?

I've got a soft spot in my heart for old worn out shotguns. This Sportsman 48 in 16ga was a bad rust bucket. The Cutts Comp looked like a pipe wrench was used to remove it. I had the barrel shortened, sights put on, and parkerized. The old Stevens was terrible looking. Had water damage to the stock, tip of the charge bar was broke off, heavy rust. The finish on the Stevens is Hammer-Tite (think that's the name) that has held up well for over twenty years. They both turned out to be fun, low cost shotguns.

[W.R.Buchanan]

My Gawd guys,,, All this whining about ammo availability?

Have you heard of "reloading" ???

Did you know that you can open up a common Trap Load and dump the shot out and put 6-8 #4, #1,or 0 pellets in and reclose the crimp and you magically have a 16 ga Buckshot Round?

You guys really need to get over to the Shotgun Forum at Cast Boolits and see what we do loading Buckshot slugs and regular shot. It ain't that hard.

IF you are really challenged you can open up a bird shot round and dump melted wax in and make a Wax Slug which are pretty devastating rounds. You are essentially creating a 1 oz Slug and at <30 yards they are devastating because the blow up when they hit something solid.

There's literally hundreds of ways to Craft Shotgun Ammunition and if you haven't heard of "Ballistic Products Inc" you really ought to check them out. They have everything known to man for loading any Shotshell.

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/

Randy

[whutsup40]

My Gawd guys,,, All this whining about ammo availability?

Have you heard of "reloading" ???

Did you know that you can open up a common Trap Load and dump the shot out and put 6-8 #4, #1,or 0 pellets in and reclose the crimp and you magically have a 16 ga Buckshot Round?

You guys really need to get over to the Shotgun Forum at Cast Boolits and see what we do loading Buckshot slugs and regular shot. It ain't that hard.

IF you are really challenged you can open up a bird shot round and dump melted wax in and make a Wax Slug which are pretty devastating rounds. You are essentially creating a 1 oz Slug and at <30 yards they are devastating because the blow up when they hit something solid.

There's literally hundreds of ways to Craft Shotgun Ammunition and if you haven't heard of "Ballistic Products Inc" you really ought to check them out. They have everything known to man for loading any Shotshell.

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/

Randy

I have all the ammo I need!! And I reload also.

[ceh383]

I have all the ammo I need!! And I reload also.

Me too, I have about a 4 ~ 5 year supply of components...Including primers

[W.R.Buchanan]

Do you guys use Ballistic Products at all or just go to Phillips Wholesale in Azusa? BPI has many oddball components for every gauge, many premade slugs, every hull known to man as well as just about every wad there is.

A quick check at their website will get you hooked forever.

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/

I am still trying to find a source for Federal Flight Control wads for my Buckshot Loads?.

Randy

[NapalmCheese]

I use BPI for most of my shotgun reloading supplies except for bismuth shot. The real oddball stuff I get from Track of the Wolf (14 gauge nitro and cushion wads, 13 gauge overshot cards).

[crazy]

Do you mean like this?

I own a Browning A5 16 gauge shotgun that I bought at the SF Gun Exchange a reaaalllly long time ago. Why...I can say or maybe I won't say. I have been trying to research the history of the gun but can find much info. From the serial number (A11,xxx) I think it was made in the 40s. The A means 16 gauge. It is parkerized. The barrel is 18" long. It reminds me of what I would think a trench gun would look like. I have posted 2 pics. If any Browning experts can point me in right direction, I would be grateful.


Sorry for hijacking your thead.

[ceh383]

Do you guys use Ballistic Products at all or just go to Phillips Wholesale in Azusa?

I've bought from both, it depends on who has what I want, or who has the better deal.