www.youtube.com
In the comments he said 16 and 20, think in the video he was just saying the 16 has .070" wall at the muzzle. Even so not sure what ga I'd pick being I want one as a do all gun.
Yeah, 16 gauge would work for birds and elk…
I didn’t mind the weight much 20 years ago… not today, unless I’m just packing it from the house to the bench.
This won't help, but either gauge would do it all. With my .62" rifle (20 gauge) I have sheared a steel fence post in half (wasn't trying to!) so I don't see how it would lack on any type of game, elk, moose, and including Grizz. On the other hand, it does not "hurt" to have some more weight to the ball. Couldn't "go wrong" with the 16 in that respect. On birds, the 16 might be a little better, but with a muzzle loader you are not limited by shell size as to how much shot you can dump down the barrel. So that blurs things a bit. So yeah...what a choice!!
Weight does matter. My 1861 Springfield weighs about 9.5, that's my limit, I don't think I could find a reason to hunt all day with an 11 pound rifle. No matter how cool it is. With the '61, the cool factor does "weigh in". !!! ha ha ha. I'll take it out for a day once in a while, just for the bitchin factor. I have found, that with the '61, rather than it getting heavier at the end of the day, just the opposite is true for me. Feels like a big pry-bar when I first start out, but then I get used to it and it's okay. But like a pry-bar, I'll carry it over my shoulder if my arms get a little tired, and that helps. In the past I've taken it up some pretty steep mountain sides, but now if I do hunt with it, it's on the State lands close to home, which if fairly flat country.
I think I'd be happy with either I plan to shoot round ball and use shot for small game and turkey, I know a heavy 2 Oz load in a 20 will kill everything I need to and use lighter load for small game. The 16 probably has a more square shot stack which maybe better, can't think what size round ball the 16 would use but the 61-62 cal from the 20 will kill anything big game I hunt. 20 ga components are more available and cheaper.
Nothing wrong with 16 for sure. Assuming you don't have a problem with grizz in Upstate NY, (I was born there!) I'm thinking the 20 might be a bit sleeker, slimmer, although the difference between .66 and .62" is not much. If any. Might not be able to tell a 20 from a 16 without sticking your finger in muzzle. ?
I'd expect the barrel contours to be the same so the 16 maybe a good bit ligher which I like, tho the 20 should take a heavier load with more meat at the muzzle. I didn't see anyone ask if these will be choked or not, I'd guess not. The only thing I worry is ball molds for the 16, I'm sure there are more options for the 20ga barrel.
