16 bore

[steve s]

Hi Guys, I have just bought a Sauer and sohns 16 bore side by side shotgun. I've shot about 50 shells through it at clays and I hit plenty, I need to get used to it's light weight. I will need help to identify the model and age. Photos to follow. Also, I will be reloading shells for it, what are your favorite loads?
Steve.

[C. Roger Bleile]

Steve,

Before you do any more shooting you need to determine if the gun is chambered for 65mm (2 1/2") or 70 mm (2 3/4") shells. Most pre-war German shotguns were chambered for 65 mm shells. The chamber length should be checked in two ways. First dismount the barrels and look at the proofmarks. There should be the number 16 within a circle on each barrel. That is the nominal gauge marking. If there is the number 70 stamped next to the circled 16 then it is a 70 mm chamber. If there is no number next to the circle then it is a 65 mm chamber. If it is supposed to be a 65 mm chamber it is best to actually check the chamber length with a gauge to determine if the original chamber has been reamed to 70 mm.

The whole issue of if it is safe to fire 2 3/4" shells in a short chamber or better to have the chamber reamed has been the subject of long and heated debates that I won't go into here but I thought you would like to know about these issues.

Regards,
Roger
http://www.engravingglossary.com/

[steve s]

Roger,

Thanks for your info. I never use a gun until I have checked its specifications. This one is 65mm chambers, nitro proofed. I'll upload some pictures soon in the hope of dating info and some history. I have found plenty of reloading recipes, have any readers loaded there own and found a nice light load suitable for clay shooting?

Steve