If you go by the popularity of the various gauges with those who report their hunting records to the Loyal Order of Dedicated Grouse Hunters (LODGH), the 16 is doing OK. Not booming in popularity, but not dying either. The numbers I recall were: 9% of LODGH members reported that the 16 was their go-to gauge in the mid-80's. 30 years later, it's up to 15%. Thanks to the efforts of people like Doug.