Fudd Friday: What Happened To The 16 Gauge?

Summary

This article explores the decline of the 16 gauge shotgun, once popular for offering a balance between the power of a 12 gauge and the portability of a 20 gauge. Its fading market presence is attributed to manufacturers building 16 gauge guns on heavier 12 gauge frames and Winchester's introduction of the 3-inch magnum 20 gauge load in the 1950s, which provided comparable performance in a lighter package.