Which 16 gauge to Buy?

mpd61 · June 2, 2011, 11:36 PM

OK I'm at the local shop and have a bad soft spot for old 16 gauge guns.

1. Beautiful 99.5% H&R Topper Model 158 for $100
2. JC Higgins Tube fed Bolt action excellent couple wood dings $50
3. Mossberg Pump 500 98% for $100
Arrrrgg! The Topper is mint, the other two are repeaters, with the Higgins a bargain. Help me!!!!!

zippy13 · June 2, 2011, 11:42 PM

Have you checked on parts availability for the Higgins? It might be a deal breaker.

lamarw · June 3, 2011, 12:12 AM

Buy all three and see if the seller will take twenty-five bucks off or cover the sales tax one.

.300 Weatherby Mag · June 3, 2011, 01:07 AM

Buy the Mossberg.. Personally I'm not a fan of the H&R or JC Higgins POS's...

TxGun · June 3, 2011, 01:56 AM

If you need a repeater, get the Mossberg. If you don't, the H&R is a great gun for the money and will last forever. I have a lot of expensive shotguns, but there is always room for a good single or two.

Jack O'Conner · June 7, 2011, 04:06 PM

Topper. Light and swings easy for rabbits or birds.

Having more than one shot is not necessary. I started out with a sawed off Stevens 20 gauge (barrel cut to about 22 inches). No choke. I could hit very well with my one shot.

The bolt action will disappoint you - slightly heavy, awkward bolt operation, and mediocre fit for swinging on running or flying upland game. No doubt there are many hunters out there who do fine with their bolt action shotguns. To them I say, BRAVO. You're a better shotgunner than me.

Jack

BigJimP · June 8, 2011, 02:56 PM

Just curious - on why you want a 16ga ....

Today there are so many shell options for 12ga and 20ga ....its easy to find a 20ga load in 1 oz which is a standard 16ga load / or load or buy a 12ga load in 1 oz ....

Just curious why you're attracted to the 16ga ( I have an old bolt action 16ga in my safe too ...) but the last time I purchaed 16ga shells they were at least $ 15 a box ....

zippy13 · June 8, 2011, 05:25 PM

Jim, the OP said he has "a bad soft spot for old 16 gauge guns." He didn't say anything about shooting them.

BigJimP · June 8, 2011, 05:39 PM

See, there I go making assumptions again ....

/ but I really am curious....

Doyle · June 8, 2011, 07:46 PM

Something isn't right here. If the OP has a soft spot for old 16ga then why look at a Mossberg 500?

To me, old 16ga = Savage 311, Browning Auto 5, etc. Truely classic old guns.

mpd61 · June 8, 2011, 08:25 PM

I have a 12 gauge pardner pump protector for HD already. As silly as it sounds, the 16 gauge seems to work O.K. for me. I used to shoot Pheasants, ducks, and turkeys in my younger days with an 870 wingmaster. ( even shot trap!) What I found in the store was surprising: the Bolt gun was actually light and swung well. The Mossberg was solid and balanced well. The old(er) Topper single was just plain beautiful. BTW...They're all mod choke.
I have no problem finding 16 ga loads at Bass Pro and the gun shows, sometimes real cheap and sometimes about 10-15% more than the 12 /20 gauge stuff. OK...Maybe I'll buy two, which two though?

BigJimP · June 9, 2011, 11:53 AM

Ok, just curious.... ( I only have about 25 shotguns / so I'm not saying you shouldn't buy both ) ....just curious about why on the 16ga.

A 16ga is fine ....but balistically, you can make a 12ga or a 20ga perform balistically the same as a 16ga.

To me - the 16ga - is the odd gague out ....( where most of us own and shoot 12ga, 20ga, 28ga and .410's ....) ...

bullethole1 · June 9, 2011, 12:26 PM

dont buy any of them. Go to the gun shop and buy a benelli!

Jack O'Conner · June 11, 2011, 10:30 AM

I've been hunting upland game with my 16 gauge double since 1973. Its an older Fox that had been Grandad's. Sure, a high base load of 20 gauge equals performance of my low base loads. But this point has no value to me because I have the 16.

!2 gauge has never had any appeal to me except for defense and slugs for deer. But this is not meant to sound critical of those who love this popular gauge. 12 gauge has been the sales leader for several decades!

- The sixteen faded when gun makers started screwing 16 gauge barrels to 12 gauge receivers.
- The 16 faded when 20 gauge rec'd most of the "new press".
- The 16 faded when waterfowl hunting req'd steel shot. There was a resurgence of the 10 gauge for a time.

Jack

publius · June 11, 2011, 11:24 PM

16 is great! hands down the Mossberg. You might want to shoot more than one bird or you might miss occasionally like me. The H&R is , well, a single shot and those light singles kick. The bolt gun is a no-go. Hard to manipulate. You almost have a single shot when it comes to birds. By the time you work that goofy bolt something that flies is probably out of range.

mpd61 · June 12, 2011, 09:47 AM

Publius thats a great relevant answer! I know that Browning has a regular production BPS in 16 Gauge on a true 16 gauge frame for about three years now, including an english-stocked upland. There has to be a market out here for them still!

Slugo · June 12, 2011, 09:58 AM

my dream 16ga is a Belgian A5 Sweet Sixteen...

mpd61 · June 24, 2011, 08:59 PM

Okay went back and the Higgins bolt really is out of the running. That damn Topper 158 single is pristine outside and mirror clean inside. My only question on the Mossberg 500 pump is whether it's a 16 gauge tube on a 12 gauge frame. Hard to tell next to the older 500/600's there as well?

June 2, 2011, 11:36 PM	#1
mpd61 Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Central Mass Posts: 352	Which 16 gauge to Buy? OK I'm at the local shop and have a bad soft spot for old 16 gauge guns. 1. Beautiful 99.5% H&R Topper Model 158 for $100 2. JC Higgins Tube fed Bolt action excellent couple wood dings $50 3. Mossberg Pump 500 98% for $100 Arrrrgg! The Topper is mint, the other two are repeaters, with the Higgins a bargain. Help me!!!!!

June 2, 2011, 11:42 PM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Have you checked on parts availability for the Higgins? It might be a deal breaker. Last edited by zippy13; June 3, 2011 at 05:03 AM. Reason: typo

June 7, 2011, 04:06 PM	#6
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	Topper. Light and swings easy for rabbits or birds. Having more than one shot is not necessary. I started out with a sawed off Stevens 20 gauge (barrel cut to about 22 inches). No choke. I could hit very well with my one shot. The bolt action will disappoint you - slightly heavy, awkward bolt operation, and mediocre fit for swinging on running or flying upland game. No doubt there are many hunters out there who do fine with their bolt action shotguns. To them I say, BRAVO. You're a better shotgunner than me. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

June 8, 2011, 08:25 PM	#11
mpd61 Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Central Mass Posts: 352	Thanks! I have a 12 gauge pardner pump protector for HD already. As silly as it sounds, the 16 gauge seems to work O.K. for me. I used to shoot Pheasants, ducks, and turkeys in my younger days with an 870 wingmaster. ( even shot trap!) What I found in the store was surprising: the Bolt gun was actually light and swung well. The Mossberg was solid and balanced well. The old(er) Topper single was just plain beautiful. BTW...They're all mod choke. I have no problem finding 16 ga loads at Bass Pro and the gun shows, sometimes real cheap and sometimes about 10-15% more than the 12 /20 gauge stuff. OK...Maybe I'll buy two, which two though?

June 11, 2011, 10:30 AM	#14
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	I've been hunting upland game with my 16 gauge double since 1973. Its an older Fox that had been Grandad's. Sure, a high base load of 20 gauge equals performance of my low base loads. But this point has no value to me because I have the 16. !2 gauge has never had any appeal to me except for defense and slugs for deer. But this is not meant to sound critical of those who love this popular gauge. 12 gauge has been the sales leader for several decades! - The sixteen faded when gun makers started screwing 16 gauge barrels to 12 gauge receivers. - The 16 faded when 20 gauge rec'd most of the "new press". - The 16 faded when waterfowl hunting req'd steel shot. There was a resurgence of the 10 gauge for a time. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

June 3, 2011, 12:12 AM	#3
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	Buy all three and see if the seller will take twenty-five bucks off or cover the sales tax one.

June 3, 2011, 01:07 AM	#4
.300 Weatherby Mag Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2008 Posts: 1,777	Buy the Mossberg.. Personally I'm not a fan of the H&R or JC Higgins POS's...

June 3, 2011, 01:56 AM	#5
TxGun Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Family ranch - Central TX. Posts: 467	If you need a repeater, get the Mossberg. If you don't, the H&R is a great gun for the money and will last forever. I have a lot of expensive shotguns, but there is always room for a good single or two.

June 8, 2011, 02:56 PM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Just curious - on why you want a 16ga .... Today there are so many shell options for 12ga and 20ga ....its easy to find a 20ga load in 1 oz which is a standard 16ga load / or load or buy a 12ga load in 1 oz .... Just curious why you're attracted to the 16ga ( I have an old bolt action 16ga in my safe too ...) but the last time I purchaed 16ga shells they were at least $ 15 a box ....

June 8, 2011, 05:25 PM	#8
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Jim, the OP said he has "a bad soft spot for old 16 gauge guns." He didn't say anything about shooting them.

June 8, 2011, 05:39 PM	#9
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	See, there I go making assumptions again .... / but I really am curious....

June 8, 2011, 07:46 PM	#10
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Something isn't right here. If the OP has a soft spot for old 16ga then why look at a Mossberg 500? To me, old 16ga = Savage 311, Browning Auto 5, etc. Truely classic old guns.

June 9, 2011, 11:53 AM	#12
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Ok, just curious.... ( I only have about 25 shotguns / so I'm not saying you shouldn't buy both ) ....just curious about why on the 16ga. A 16ga is fine ....but balistically, you can make a 12ga or a 20ga perform balistically the same as a 16ga. To me - the 16ga - is the odd gague out ....( where most of us own and shoot 12ga, 20ga, 28ga and .410's ....) ...

June 9, 2011, 12:26 PM	#13
bullethole1 Junior member Join Date: June 8, 2011 Location: San Antonio , Texas Posts: 253	dont buy any of them. Go to the gun shop and buy a benelli!

June 11, 2011, 11:24 PM	#15
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	16 is great! hands down the Mossberg. You might want to shoot more than one bird or you might miss occasionally like me. The H&R is , well, a single shot and those light singles kick. The bolt gun is a no-go. Hard to manipulate. You almost have a single shot when it comes to birds. By the time you work that goofy bolt something that flies is probably out of range. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

June 12, 2011, 09:47 AM	#16
mpd61 Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Central Mass Posts: 352	Thanks! Publius thats a great relevant answer! I know that Browning has a regular production BPS in 16 Gauge on a true 16 gauge frame for about three years now, including an english-stocked upland. There has to be a market out here for them still!

June 12, 2011, 09:58 AM	#17
Slugo Junior member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,007	my dream 16ga is a Belgian A5 Sweet Sixteen...

June 24, 2011, 08:59 PM	#18
mpd61 Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Central Mass Posts: 352	Part III Okay went back and the Higgins bolt really is out of the running. That damn Topper 158 single is pristine outside and mirror clean inside. My only question on the Mossberg 500 pump is whether it's a 16 gauge tube on a 12 gauge frame. Hard to tell next to the older 500/600's there as well? Last edited by mpd61; June 25, 2011 at 09:37 PM.