I went to Cabelas yesterday to buy some 16 ga target loads for my SxS. I noticed most of the stuff was #4 or #5 shot. (I need 7 1/2, 8 or 9). The only stuff with the appropriate shot size were field loads (and very little of that). Is 16 ga stuff hard to find as a rule? Certainly Cabelas didn't have much of a selection.
16 ga Target Loads
- Thread starter WildeKurt
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Milkmaster
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Yes sir you are correct. 16 Ga ammo is a bit harder to find than in the past. I don't see it anymore in the seasonal specials etc around here. That being said...it CAN be found, but you are less likely to find bulk value packs etc than you will 12 or 20ga.
Relaod?
Do you think I should consider reloading this stuff if I shoot it regularly? From what I gather easier to find stuff like 12 and 20 are not currently economically feasible to reload but perhaps 16 is. I load metallic cartridges now but would have to purchase all the stuff do to shotgun.
Do you think I should consider reloading this stuff if I shoot it regularly? From what I gather easier to find stuff like 12 and 20 are not currently economically feasible to reload but perhaps 16 is. I load metallic cartridges now but would have to purchase all the stuff do to shotgun.
Milkmaster
Member
Hopefully someone more knowledgable will chime in here, but I would see how your reasoning might be correct. If you have to buy the more expensive ammo with good hulls anyway, then reloading may be a better economic proposition for you for 16 ga.
If I had a 16, 28 or 410, I'd reload for it. Better choices, better pricing.
Even with today's inflated prices on components, I could load high grade 16 gauge shells for less than 12 gauge, rather than pay $8 up for lesser shells.
Even with today's inflated prices on components, I could load high grade 16 gauge shells for less than 12 gauge, rather than pay $8 up for lesser shells.
I've been reloading 16ga since about 1970
First, make sure you can find 16 ga wads in your vicinity. Of course, you can always order them and pay shipping. Either way, make sure you can get wads easily.
Second, bags of shot are now almost as costly as loaded ammo. Currently it costs me about $3.58 for shot and $2.06 for wads and powder and primers to load 25 shotshells in 16 gauge. You won't get cheap ammo, but you'll get ammo when you need it.
New or used, shotshell presses are inexpensive compared to metallic. Go check out a few before making your choice.
Shotshell reloading works best with premium hulls, like AA or STS Premier. But you can reload plain old field hulls. Just be prepared to be innovative because very little load data is available for cheap field hulls, which differ considerably from premium hulls in critical areas (like the shape of the base wad, for instance). Learning about patterning and a chrono may be useful.
First, make sure you can find 16 ga wads in your vicinity. Of course, you can always order them and pay shipping. Either way, make sure you can get wads easily.
Second, bags of shot are now almost as costly as loaded ammo. Currently it costs me about $3.58 for shot and $2.06 for wads and powder and primers to load 25 shotshells in 16 gauge. You won't get cheap ammo, but you'll get ammo when you need it.
New or used, shotshell presses are inexpensive compared to metallic. Go check out a few before making your choice.
Shotshell reloading works best with premium hulls, like AA or STS Premier. But you can reload plain old field hulls. Just be prepared to be innovative because very little load data is available for cheap field hulls, which differ considerably from premium hulls in critical areas (like the shape of the base wad, for instance). Learning about patterning and a chrono may be useful.
Fiocchi is the only company that I know of that sells 16GA target shells. Search some of the online places for it. I believe that Ballistic Specialties carries it.
16GA isn't one of the GA classes for any of the shooting competition sports, so it doesn't make a lot of sense for the big ammo companies to offer it. It would be wise to reload for it, although even online, finding good components can be an issue. I believe there is also a 16 forum on the net(16ga.com). You are more likely to find more knowledgeable 16GA shooters there who could answer your questions more authoritatively.
16GA isn't one of the GA classes for any of the shooting competition sports, so it doesn't make a lot of sense for the big ammo companies to offer it. It would be wise to reload for it, although even online, finding good components can be an issue. I believe there is also a 16 forum on the net(16ga.com). You are more likely to find more knowledgeable 16GA shooters there who could answer your questions more authoritatively.
16ga.com has a forum with a lot of knowledge, a section with links to ammo manufacturers, and a 16ga reloading group. I shoot 16ga almost exclusively at clay games. I use remington game loads in 7.5 (the are also loaded exactly like the target loads, just a different box) because they are the cheapest I can find. Check walmart and kmart in your area if they still carry ammunition. The walmart by me gets in the rgl's regularly and they were only 6.26 a box last time a cleaned them out. I have also been collecting hulls for the last 2 years for when I get space to start reloading. On a side note what type of SxS are you toting?
Low Cost 16s
If you have a Dick's Sporting Goods store in your area watch their prices on 16 ga shells. Last fall the one near me had boxes of 7 1/2s and 8s for about $4.28 a box by the flat. I bought 7 or 8 flats. Tom
If you have a Dick's Sporting Goods store in your area watch their prices on 16 ga shells. Last fall the one near me had boxes of 7 1/2s and 8s for about $4.28 a box by the flat. I bought 7 or 8 flats. Tom
I've reloaded 16 ga for a long time, its the only way I could afford to shoot my 16s. AS was mentioned wads can be hard to find.
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