When acquiring a shotgun, as with any weapon, the question arises about the appropriate gauge.
The shotgun gauge 16/70 with a diameter of 16.84 mm (for comparison: The gauge 12/70 has a diameter of 18.53 mm) has become quite a rare shotgun gauge. The gauge 12/70 has largely prevailed, and in direct comparison, the gauge 16/70 has some advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages of 16/70:
A shotgun in gauge 16/70 is slimmer and lighter than in gauge 12/70. The weight difference can be several hundred grams - a difference that can be significant during a full day of driven hunting. Furthermore, the recoil is not as strong as with the stronger gauge. This is not only an argument for lighter-built or female hunters; even a strong and experienced hunter experiences less discomfort and shoots more accurately.
A common criticism of gauge 16/70 is the lower coverage; however, this is more related to the choke than to the diameter of the barrel. The gas pressure in 16/70 is comparable to that of gauge 12/70, but lower than, for example, in 20/76, whose shooting performance comes closest to 16/70. However, the lower gas pressure puts less strain on the shooter and especially the shotgun. Shotguns in gauge 20/76 are often disproportionately light, which is why the recoil is significantly heavier than in 16/70.
The ideal shot weight for 16/70 is 28-30 g, while 36 g shot is also used in 12/70.
Advantages of 12/70:
Since gauge 12/70 is now the most widely used, there is a larger selection of ammunition available. This is often cheaper than ammunition in other shotgun gauges. In many federal states, lead-containing ammunition is no longer allowed, and this trend will continue. Shotguns in 16/70 and other shotgun gauges are often not compatible with steel shot, and there is only a limited selection of lead-free ammunition available.
The availability also affects the shotguns themselves. Modern shotguns from leading manufacturers are only produced in gauge 12 (12/70 and longer), which means that shooters who want to use the smaller gauge must buy a used weapon.
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More exciting reports on the topic of gauge
Exciting, interesting, and informative reports on the topic can also be found with our premium partner, the hunting magazine Jagdzeit., for example, in the overview of all articles on the topic of gauge.
