REMINGTON 870 WINGMASTER

The 16 gauge is the one the old-timers always circle back to — carries like a 20, patterns like a 12, and gets a whole lot less attention at the ammo counter. This is a Wingmaster, too, the polished blued-and-walnut 870 from before Remington went all matte and utilitarian, and it’s held up beautifully. That 28-inch full choke means it was built to reach way out and fold birds at the far edge of the pattern. A proper classic in a chambering nobody sets up this nicely anymore.

Sweet sixteen, and it aged well.