16 gauge for turkey's?

[dandan]

I have a 16 gauge pump, with modified choke and was thinking about using it for turkey hunting. Does anyone have experience or opinons?

[CSACANNONEER]

While it would not be my first choice (due to the choke), You've got it and it will work fine. Just don't take super long shots with it.

[metalhead357]

My grandfather used one for 40 years without much problem....just make sure you do a patterning test/tests to truly see what your spread and effective range are: plan accordingly thereafter.

[Utha Schleigle]

It is hard to get away from the ubiquitous 12guage. Every one make shells for the 12gauge in every shot and dram conceivable.

Hopeully this is a gun with longer barrel and made after the old 65mm chambering or 2 1/2inch. It should say 16 - 2 3/4 inch or 70mm. Even if it were rechambered to 70mm the action would still be not as robust and could only handle light loads without evently something happening.

I agree that the modified choke may be the fly in the oitment. You are going to use a larger shot in a smaller bore and then choke it. Some where between bb bbb 1 2 3 4 or any mixture with in with keeping shot deformation in mind - in respect to your mod choke. If you can't find shells reload use light load of pelets with foam cusion to help with that Choke. Find friend that reloads and keep all old good quality casings. You might have to make your own custom duplex shot or shot and foam ball loads.

I also agree that testing with a 36" paper target is a must to see what shells your 16 likes and its forcing cones like. For instance you gun might pattern better with one type of wade cup or like Federal better than Remington with the xact same loads.

What make model barrel of gun is this and chambering does it say - guess aprox age - who bought it first in your family. How much time do you have?

[dandan]

winchester Model 12

Thanks for all of the info. a lot of it was over my head but i can do some research and try and make meaning of what you said. I don't know anybody that reloads, and i don't think I could learn to reload and experiment in a time frame that would fit my timing. I would like to use it for the Spring Turkey hunt, if it is out of the question then I'll go on with a 12 but it would be nice to use this family gun. It is a Winchester Model 12, with a 2 3/4 chamber probably purchased in the 1930's. It has been used lightly, for pheasant hunting and then stored, but taken care of, for decades.

[metalhead357]

the 12 is a dang good gun...and plenty of game <<once had been>> have been taken with the 16....just seemed to fall out of favor as there isn't/wasn't the *call* all that often for something between a 20 & 12......

I'd say pattern it and take it. As the ammo is neither really hard to find---nor truly plentiful...you just have to look; but either way- it could make a decent turkey gun and certainly make for some table-fare conversations.

[Utha Schleigle]

I have a great book, Shot Gun Gunsmithing from gun digest published 1987.



The author is/was a long time gunsmith and work on many 16guages.

I knew I was clueless before reading the book, but know I have an idea of how much I do not know about shotguns. The book is for eveyone at ground zero. The only part you may not used to hearing about is forcing cones - which are the funnels that transition or funnel the wads/piston plastic cup wad into barrell from the chamber and from barrell through the choke.

Test the 16 gauge and use it - just try to find shells that would work well with turkey. This is a good time to call Uncle Will who used it 1954 and ask him what the 16 gauge likes and what would he advise.

One personal safety warning about 16 gauge shells and why I don't own one. MOTHER My mother mixed up the shells between 12 and 16. The 16 will slip through the chamber and up into the barrel. The next 12 gauge will pump into the chamber and fully lock up - the next part is not pretty.

Make sure if you are hunting with others that have 12's no one gets into your ammo.

[GuyW]

...You are going to use a larger shot in a smaller bore and then choke it. Some where between bb bbb 1 2 3 4 or any mixture...

Since the OP is in CA, I presume CA hunting is anticipated.

Therefore, check the F&G Regs....IIRC, #2 is the largest shot for turkey...

I think you can do fine with a 16 ga Mod...not optimal, but useable...just don't go for 50 yd shots, under penalty of injured birds or meat damage...

[Utha Schleigle]

One last thought. Because this shotgun may have some rounds threw it. You might want to look at the barrell right at were the choke begins and look for smears of lead or plastic. If you can see whitish waxy looking streaks or blackish smears, you need the 0000 or 00000 steel wool treatment.

Dry is more fun - take a white piece of paper - dry plastic bore brush or wood dowel - 0000 or 00000 and wrapp a little steel wool around the brush. Push straight down bore and spot and spin when you feel the constriction at the choke. Only spin about 5 to 10 times. With the barrel pointed at the paper. Then push brush and wool out you will see some extra stuff that is not steel wool. This stuff can robb you of a consistant or good pattern. Do not spin near or around chamber or chamber forcing cone unless you have issues there. Do not eat or smoke extra stuff - it may contain lead. Do not use any coarse steel wool - 0000 / 00000 or nothing!!! Make sure all steel wool is out as you do regular cleaning after da treament.

I know getting the steel wool out of the brush is a pain but I have a dedicated brush for this in 12 ga. The old school method is to take a 24inch / 36inch wood dowel ( that will fit EASILY though your choke) and at one end of the dowel raise wood shards along the last 3 or 4 inches with a knife - the raised connected splinters will catch the steel wool and make an excellent strong heavy cleaning tool. The dowel is much easier to remove steel wool.

Have fun blasting trukey heads.

[Utha Schleigle]

CORRECTION

One last thought. Because this shotgun may have some rounds threw it. You might want to look at the barrell right at were the choke begins and look for smears of lead or plastic. If you can see whitish waxy looking streaks or blackish smears, you need the 0000 or 00000 steel wool treatment.

Dry is more fun - take a white piece of paper - dry plastic bore brush or wood dowel - 0000 or 00000 and wrapp a little steel wool around the brush. Push straight down bore and spot and spin when you feel the constriction at the choke. Only spin about 5 to 10 times. With the barrel pointed at the paper. Then push brush and wool out you will see some extra stuff that is not steel wool. This stuff can robb you of a consistant or good pattern. Do not spin near or around chamber or chamber forcing cone unless you have issues there. Do not eat or smoke extra stuff - it may contain lead. Do not use any coarse steel wool - 0000 / 00000 or nothing!!! Make sure all steel wool is out as you do regular cleaning after da treament.

I know getting the steel wool out of the brush is a pain but I have a dedicated brush for this in 12 ga. The old school method is to take a 24inch / 36inch wood dowel ( that will fit EASILY though your choke) and at one end of the dowel raise wood shards along the last 3 or 4 inches with a knife - the raised connected splinters will catch the steel wool and make an excellent strong heavy cleaning tool. The dowel is much easier to remove steel wool.

Have fun blasting trukey heads.

When I am wrongish or did not give complete information I try to correct or ammend it ASAP.

36 inch 3/8 dowel for 16 gauge and you can use a drill to spin the dowel or brush. BUTTTTT keep moving the brush don't stop or spot too long keep moving even if very slowly, Oil ( telfon - cutting - WD40) can be used along with bush steel wool to slow down abrasive and polish more. If drill binds or stop remove one wrap of steel wool. 00 to 000 steel wool by hand and 0000 to 00000 steel wool by drill.

If you see that book buy it.