16 Gauge Shotguns

New shotgun calibers are rarely introduced, unlike new rifle and pistol calibers. Rather, the shotgun maintains a steady standard of only a handful of options, and among these is the 16 gauge.

The 16 gauge is one of the lesser-appreciated and underrated cartridges. However, shotguns in 16 gauge offer an excellent compromise of both power and lower recoil. They are often much lighter than the 12 gauge and make excellent upland bird-hunting shotguns.

The 16 gauge was long considered a gentleman’s caliber made for the sport of bird hunting. It is considerably more powerful than the 20 gauge, but easier for smaller shooters to handle than the 12 gauge. The popularity of the 16 gauge has waned in the United States, but has remained fairly high throughout Europe.

Quick Facts

• The decline of the 16 gauge for American shooters is largely believed to be the cause of a lack of a 16-gauge class in skeet shooting in the United States
• The 16 gauge originated from old black powder hunting rifles since a 16 gauge ball weighed exactly one ounce and the smooth bore barrel could be used as an effective fowling piece
• Browning revealed an updated Sweet Sixteen Browning A-5 at the 2016 Shot Show