I'm strongly considering a 16g Franchi SLX O/U for my dove and if quail ever make a comeback gun. I would also use this for skeet.

I already own a semi-auto Beretta 12g and really want to add on O/U.

Any considerations to think otherwise?

When feeling nostalgic I love my 16 ga. but, truthfully, 20 ga. loads can do most anything the 16’s can and is lighter to carry as well as allows one to carry more shells. As for skeet, if you ever choose to compete you will be stuck in 12 ga. events only with a 16 but could shoot both 20 and 12 with a 20 ga.

I have a side by side, my favorite upland game gun. Light as a 20 but hits like a 12.

I inherited a sxs 16 ga. from grandpa. He died in ‘71, granny gave it to me about 8 years ago before she passed. It had been in a gun bag sitting in a closet since late ‘60’s. It’s some off brand made in St. Louis, MO. I cleaned it and took it dove hunting. Killed one bird and put back in the safe. It is a heavy shotgun.

When the 20 ga mag came out it pretty much did in the 16 ga but "according to the theory" a larger gauge ought to make a better pattern with the same shot load. So, an once out of a 16 ought to give a better pattern than an once out of a 20. BUT that's just the theory, since each gun is a law unto itself- just have to test them out. Still, a 16 is a nice size for a lot of upland gunning.

I disagree that the 20 will do anything the 16 will do, I used to think the same thing. A 16 just seems to hammer the pheasants harder. I have killed a pile of pheasants with the 20 but just use a 16 or 12 now.

Well I guess you can reload a 20 with whatever load of shot you want but as a rule, you can go a little more on the 16 gauge. As I said, years ago the 16 gauge was thought of as the "king" of upland game hunting. I like it a lot

If you want a 16 go for it. You can cleanly take any upland bird you hunt with a sixteen. They still have a cult following among a select group of upland hunters. A cherry L.C. Smith SxS 16 is one of my bucket list shotguns. Whether or not the 16 is superior to a 3” 20 has been the topic of many heated discussions and is not going to be settled here….

I got my 16 sxs because at the time nobody wanted 16's any more and I got it for $150.

16s are just fun. I have an Ithaca 37 from the 50s and it is a wonderful gun. I’ve got a 16 ga SxS on the way. Before all the issues, I could get all the 16 ga I needed at Wal-Mart. Anything from since 6-8 shot. Now, I just get it online. It seems to be plentiful and not over priced. If you go with a 16, you may have to stock up on ammo every chance you get. 20 is a little easier to find.

I do agree a 3” 20 will do anything the 16 will do. I have several 20 ga guns and that’s what I shoot 80% of the time. But I’ve killed pheasant with 2 3/4” 20 ga, 3” 20 ga, and 16 ga. All the birds were dead. When I lived in TX, I shot dove with 28 and 20. Get what you want and go for it.

I have four browning 16’s, one original A5 from the thirties that was chamber for 2 9/16s. It was re-chambered by browning to a 2 3/4. The rest are a browning sweet 16 and two citoris in 16 gauge. All four have been dove and quail takers for many years now. I have shot cases of 16 gauge shells through these shotguns.

I have owned the Franchi SL in 16 and I found it to be light and whippy, being a big fat guy I like a shotgun with some weight. Just picked up the Browning Hunter Gr1 weighs right at 7 pounds. Haven't shot it yet but soon

I think a 20 gauge is to a 16 gauge similar what a .410 is to a 28 gauge. I mean to say, 16 gauge is a better choice even though the ammo is not as easy to get. Kind of like a 7mm-08, great cartridge but where are the shells at?

Edit- let’s not forget the greatest poacher of all time, Phil Robertson, is a 16 gauge guy lol.

Dad has one. I grew up on it shot a good many a birds with it. Would never buy or recommend one over a 12/20.