Passed down from generations... I've acquired a Stevens Model 94F 16 gauge single shot. Lord only knows how many squirrels my family has folded up with this ole gun. Its a real shooter with a 28 inch full choked barrel. Every year I say Im gonna take it out and harvest a Spring gobbler with it, but I always leave it. Well, this year my goal is to take a gobbler with it. Though I know my shot will have to be closer, I think it will do the job. May just have to set the decoys a little closer.

I decided to test three different rounds of ammo: Winchester, Remington, and Fiocchi. Being the 16 ga. is only in 2 3/4" length, I fully understood it wouldn't produce a super tight pattern like a 3.5" HeviShot would. So, I'm going to limit my shots to just 20-25 yards. 30 yard shots produced a more spread pattern. Below are my results at 20 yards:


Wads from each shell



Winchester High Brass Heavy Game loads in #4 - 110 pellets in 10" circle




Remington Express Long Range in #6 - 128 pellets in 10" cirlce




Fiocchi Golden Pheasant Nickel Plated in #6 - 131 pellets in 10" circle


Obviously all these would easily kill a gobbler at 20 yards. The Remington's shot a fuzz to the left and the Winchester's shot a little low. You can tell the nickel plated Fiocchi's had a more uniform pattern. I believe I will go with these. Also, the wad on the Winchester (if you can call it a wad) was just cardboard and a thin piece of plastic. The Remi and Fiocchi had very solid wads. All I need now is a little no-mar camo tape to cover up the shiny spots on the 16 and I'm ready for April. Looking forward to it!