[Bird Buster]

Just received my long awaited 16 gauge two weeks ago. I had it on order sice May. It was well worth the wait upon opening the box for the first time. The Classic wood stock model is beautiful. I have shot about 8 rounds of trap so far with it and love it. It will go to the dove field this week in Ga. The gun really points well and patterns exceptional. This is my first 16 gauge and think I am going to love it. I had to try one since I had read so much abut it being a much better gauge for upland hunting. I also bought it to have something different to complete my collection. I also have a Benelli M1 12 GAUGE, 1100 12 gauge, And a Beretta 390 20 gauge. For now, I have things pretty well covered. I can get shells for a preety good deal at Galyan's in 16 gauge. A case of Winhester Super x in 8 shot are around $38.00. Would love to hear from other 16 gauge users at [email protected]

 

[Jeff23]

Hi Bird Buster--

Posts like the one you just wrote are one of my favorites--there's nothing quite like the joy of a new shotgun :lol: I am rapidly becoming a 16-ga freak-- I have two right now, Ithaca M37 and an old single-shot Iver Johnson. I am beginning a search for a good older sxs and a 16-ga is right up there on my list. When I was a kid, my dad had among his other guns a beautiful 16 ga model 12 with a vent rib and a marbles poly on it. While I was in college in the 70's he sold it. Sort of a lasting regret, but he left me many other fine things so I've forgiven him :wink:

Do you know about the "square load" philosophy? I have no idea whether it makes any technical sense--others will tell us, no doubt. Anyway, it was widely believed, among the men in the town where I grew up, that the perfect shotgun load was a 16-ga with a one-oz. load of shot. Thus the gauge, represented by 16 one-oz balls of lead to make a one pound fit for the bore, was "square" with the weight of shot the shell was pushing. It's one of those things that ought to be true, even if it isn't. Sort of geometrically satisfying.

Congrats on the new gun! I'm sure you'll enjoy it--I'll be interested to see how it works out.