Question about a 16G for a total novice

Bhane · April 23, 2012, 10:26 AM

I have a Remington 16G semi auto with an adjustable choke. I am new to hunting and live in an area where center fire (I have a Remington 770 30-06) and shot gun are acceptable. So my question is this... I have the 770 for big game (deer, boar, and black bear), what is the best game to hunt with my shot gun? Any help would be greatly thanked!

birdshot · April 23, 2012, 11:01 AM

You can get a hunting regulation and season guide book free from the NY fish and game agency. Also you should also be able to get a public hunting area's guide from the same agency. I think of shotguns for bird hunting. In your area I would guess you might find grouse hunting.

oneounceload · April 23, 2012, 12:27 PM

most upland birds will be handled nicely by a 16. Try to find a local gun club - the trap/skeet/sporting clays variety - and get some pre-season practice on clays; great for crosser and quartering away shots

Fishing_Cabin · April 23, 2012, 04:15 PM

Since you said you live in an area where both rifle and shotgun are acceptable, perhaps consider small game as well, such as rabbit, and squirrel. Many folks use a shotgun here for those two critters.

You may also be able to get some practice if you find a local gun club with a thrower for the "rabbit type" clay targets.

bigStag · April 23, 2012, 09:22 PM

Dove hunting is a lot of fun and Grouse hunting is a blast if you can find them. 16 ga is a great cartridge for hunting any small game.

I'd even use it for turkey....just got to get 'em a little closer.

mpd61 · April 24, 2012, 07:38 PM

16 gauge will be fine for ANYTHING that flies including turkey and duck.
There is a bit of a resurgence in both interest and availabilty of loads in recent years. Enjoy it, as I enjoy mine!

OkieCruffler · April 24, 2012, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Dove hunting is a lot of fun

Dove hunting is an exercize in absolute frustration and a ploy set about by the National Assoc of Lead Miners to keep the price of lead up. I heard a preacher once say that the 3rd level of Hell is nothing but dove hunting.

oneounceload · April 25, 2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Dove hunting is an exercize in absolute frustration and a ploy set about by the National Assoc of Lead Miners to keep the price of lead up. I heard a preacher once say that the 3rd level of Hell is nothing but dove hunting.

According to Federal, they sell more ammo for dove hunting than all of their target ammo combined - that's a lot of missing!......

OkieCruffler · April 25, 2012, 12:31 PM

Quote:

that's a lot of missing!.

And I know who does about half of it.

At one time the 16 was the bee's knees (around the time when people said things like "bee's knees") for small and upland game. Folks have been declaring it dead since before I was born and yet it still chugs along.

Dave McC · April 25, 2012, 02:11 PM

Doves are my reality check. Every time I get to thinking I've got a handle on this shooting thing, dove season reminds me of my fallibility.

My average has improved, but further improvement awaits.

As to 16s, no better upland gauge exists, though the difference is not large.

A proper 16 runs 6-6.5 lbs, thus lighter than most 12s.

Most 16s pattern large shot better than most 20s, and often do so with small shot also.

Like 20s and 28s, I consider 16s as "Niche" guns, not all around, do everything guns.

And if I had one, another MEC loader would be on my bench to make soft 7/8 oz loads suited to clays and upland birds.

Jack O'Conner · April 29, 2012, 06:20 AM

Shotguns are best choice for running and flying game.

Jack

OkieCruffler · April 29, 2012, 08:03 AM

Unless your running game is tag. Then a shotgun is just dirty pool.

April 23, 2012, 10:26 AM	#1
Bhane Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2012 Location: New York's Southern Tier Posts: 3	Question about a 16G for a total novice I have a Remington 16G semi auto with an adjustable choke. I am new to hunting and live in an area where center fire (I have a Remington 770 30-06) and shot gun are acceptable. So my question is this... I have the 770 for big game (deer, boar, and black bear), what is the best game to hunt with my shot gun? Any help would be greatly thanked! __________________ "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." -Socrates

April 29, 2012, 06:20 AM	#11
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	Shotguns are best choice for running and flying game. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

April 29, 2012, 08:03 AM	#12
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	Unless your running game is tag. Then a shotgun is just dirty pool. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

April 23, 2012, 11:01 AM	#2
birdshot Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: north platte nebraska Posts: 344	You can get a hunting regulation and season guide book free from the NY fish and game agency. Also you should also be able to get a public hunting area's guide from the same agency. I think of shotguns for bird hunting. In your area I would guess you might find grouse hunting.

April 23, 2012, 12:27 PM	#3
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	most upland birds will be handled nicely by a 16. Try to find a local gun club - the trap/skeet/sporting clays variety - and get some pre-season practice on clays; great for crosser and quartering away shots

April 23, 2012, 04:15 PM	#4
Fishing_Cabin Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2010 Posts: 720	Since you said you live in an area where both rifle and shotgun are acceptable, perhaps consider small game as well, such as rabbit, and squirrel. Many folks use a shotgun here for those two critters. You may also be able to get some practice if you find a local gun club with a thrower for the "rabbit type" clay targets.

April 23, 2012, 09:22 PM	#5
bigStag Member Join Date: June 13, 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 82	Dove hunting is a lot of fun and Grouse hunting is a blast if you can find them. 16 ga is a great cartridge for hunting any small game. I'd even use it for turkey....just got to get 'em a little closer.

April 24, 2012, 07:38 PM	#6
mpd61 Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Central Mass Posts: 352	16 gauge will be fine for ANYTHING that flies including turkey and duck. There is a bit of a resurgence in both interest and availabilty of loads in recent years. Enjoy it, as I enjoy mine!

April 25, 2012, 02:11 PM	#10
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Doves are my reality check. Every time I get to thinking I've got a handle on this shooting thing, dove season reminds me of my fallibility. My average has improved, but further improvement awaits. As to 16s, no better upland gauge exists, though the difference is not large. A proper 16 runs 6-6.5 lbs, thus lighter than most 12s. Most 16s pattern large shot better than most 20s, and often do so with small shot also. Like 20s and 28s, I consider 16s as "Niche" guns, not all around, do everything guns. And if I had one, another MEC loader would be on my bench to make soft 7/8 oz loads suited to clays and upland birds.