Gun review
This new, round-bar, 16-bore over-and under – part of Powell’s Continental range – has been made with Rizzini of Brescia. Michael Yardley finds the good balance and weight suit him
This month, with the game season in full swing, we are looking at a William Powell 16-bore “Phoenix” model over-and-under. it is a round-body gun made in association with B Rizzini, the well-known italian manufacturer based in Brescia. The Phoenix, meanwhile, is part of Powell’s “Continental range” – a collection of guns specified and finally regulated in England but made with associates abroad (in the case of Powell, Rizzini and Arrieta). i have shot a number of Powell Continentals before and been impressed with them. They were more than merely re-badged “Euro-guns”; considerable effort had gone into the specifications (drawing on the long gunmaking expertise of the famous old British firm). The finish was a cut above the average and the prices were not unreasonable for the quality offered.
Turning the spotlight on the Phoenix, this is a fixed-choke, single-trigger gun with 30in mono-bloc barrels; it hits the scales at 7lb – a handy weight for a 30in over-and-under. The RRP is £6,495, including a leather-covered travel case and professional gun-fitting. First impressions are good. The scale and form of the gun immediately appeal (as, indeed, does its bore size). The gun presents well. it balances on the hinge-pin. The wood is pleasingly figured and competently finished in oil with hand-cut checkering. The stock shapes are well conceived. There is a black, horn-capped pistol grip that is not too full or big – reminiscent of those one used to see on London rifles – and a nicely proportioned, rounded fore-end. The action is well engineered, well finished and attractively engraved with acanthus scrollwork. The form of the action is particularly elegant with the round bar that suits the smaller scale of the 16 well. The 8mm to 6mm tapered, solid rib could not be bettered, either. Overall, the gun rates high both for specification and finish.
The 16 has been enjoying something of a comeback in recent years, with several makers offering 16-bore models. Traditionally, the 16 was the older man’s lighter gun. They have, however, a growing following of sportsmen who just like the way they handle. Like a 20, the 16 allows for an overand-under gun to be made at a very good weight, though it may be predominantly machine made. The only issue, and it is not that significant, is that ammunition may be hard to come by. There is not the range of loads that you find in 12 or 20. Usually four options on offer: 25g, 26g/26.5g, 28g and 30g, with 26g and 28g predominating on dealers’ shelves. Eley abandoned the 32g Alphamax 16 a while back. in the Us, a 3in 16-bore has been developed (Purdey made a gun for this cartridge recently).
happy sufferers of “ballistic thrombosis” may tell you that the 16, when throwing 15oz/16oz of shot (26.5oz), offers the nearperfect “square load”. in the past, i have used 25g, 26g/26.5g and 28g loads with good results, both competitively and for game shooting. The bulk of my experience is with my own holland & holland side-by-side, usually fed with Lyalvale Express cartridges. This firm, at the moment, offers 25 “supreme Game” in 6 shot only with a fibre wad, 28g fibre in 5, 6, 7 shot and 30g in 5 and 6. They also have a plastic wadded 28g in 6 shot only.
The sensible weight of the test gun would allow one to shoot any commonly available 16-bore load with comfort and confidence. The good stock form and balance would also promote happy shooting. The style of grip should be seen more often – frequently full grips are too bulky. This style and the semi-pistol are those i believe to be best suited to a single-trigger over-and-under field gun. i would also give a thumbs-up to the longer-than-average shelf-dimension for the butt – the length of pull here is 15¼in (with drop of 1½in at comb 2in at heel – also excellent). Q
The action is well engineered, well finished and attractively engraved. Overall, the gun rates high for specification and finish