Quote:
I'd say there is much more to the decline in popularity of the 16 gauge than cartridge or performance overlap.

Call it Skeet. As skeet shooting rose the 16 declined, while the 20, 28 & .410's flourished. I wouldn't trade a good 16 for all three of the others. My 16 Halifax (Darne) weighs 5 lb 14 oz, don't need or want anything much lighter than that for a serious hunting gun. Have a couple of 16's which each weigh 6 3/4 lbs, I can carry them with no trouble & they shoot great. I realize one can find 12''s in that weight range, but when one gets below about 6˝ lbs it much easier to find a 16 than a 12 unless you have real deep pockets, which all of us don't. Have had a couple of 20's which weighed 7 lbs, but didn't keep them. No need for a 20 that heavy.

Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra