Author Topic: Is 18.5 too short? (Read 1676 times)

acgill07 · « **on:** December 04, 2012, 07:53:25 AM »

I am setting up a turkey rig for those days when I need to cover a lot of ground. (It can get pretty steep here) I have a 20 gauge pardner that I am going to have cut and threaded for chokes. My question is, if it is going to be a dedicated turkey gun, is there any reason to go longer than 18.5.

It is my understanding that patterning is really a function of the choke and barrel length has little to do with it. How is the balance with a pardner that short? Would someone recommend say, 20 instead of 18? Why. I have the choat stock and forearm set on it.

Thanks.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2012, 08:04:02 AM »

Sight picture depending on sight to be used . If you cut back that far you may need a ramp with a regular size bead or just have a very large bead installed .Of courst rifle sight or scope would not matter . Then there is complete burn with the ammo you want to use . I have a pump with a bbl that length and have no problems.
now the law The OAL has to be 26" some say others say 28" inches I would check both federal and state laws as some states have laws on hunting guns that may differ.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2012, 08:10:52 AM »

longer barrel gets you closer to the target

20 inch will give some margin for error should something go wrond threading it

i have a 9 inch 12 ga....i like short barrels

i am about to add a polychooke to a 12 ga
i will cot it to 20 inches in case i botch it
too much paper work to go below 18 again

upnut · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2012, 12:03:55 PM »

Several members here have set up their 20 ga. tamers with choate stocks and storearms, makes a slick shotgun for about any pursuit. The barrel is 20 inches, balances nicely, a joy to carry. Don't know how H&R came up with 20 inches for the barrel lenghth, but I like it..alot. For comparison, here's a pic of the Tamer with my pawn-shop youth 20 ga. with a 22" barrel that is fitted with full sized camo stock/forearm from GB Classifieds:

Good Luck!
Scott B.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2012, 12:19:01 PM »

the only shorty i have left
is a 20 incher.
works real good. patterns
good for no choke. i used a
base and bead from brownells
to make up for the lost bead height.

i'd go 20 + -
way easier to take more off if needed
than to add back on. . . .

bikerbeans · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2012, 05:46:45 PM »

acgill07,

I have a Tracker II 20ga slug gun that I cut/crowned at 18.5" and it is very balanced, light and easy to carry in the woods. If you cut your barrel to 18.5" and thread for a turkey choke you are probably going to add some length to the barrel because most of the turkey chokes I have seen extend an inch or more past the end of the barrel.

BB

Lonegun1894 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2012, 12:02:34 PM »

I have a 18.25" pump with chokes, and it handles great and patterns great also. I say go for it.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2012, 12:58:08 PM »

I have an 18.5" 12 ga and I find it's a little bit too short. I find that when I put pressure on the release latch the barrel just seems to hang there and not drop unless I give it a snap of the wrist. That's just my opinion, YMMV. I wish it were another 2" or so longer.

rdlange · « **Reply #8 on:** December 08, 2012, 03:06:05 PM »

Late to this post, but I've settled on 21" for all my shorty shotguns, single and double. My preference, without recommending it to anyone. JMHO...

b44mag · « **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2012, 04:40:37 PM »

i have a 18.5 not a H&R or NEF but a j steevens tool i think. its about the same with top sideways break. i think its a pain to shut. it just seems to short no heft from the barrel if that makes cents to you

TxGun · « **Reply #10 on:** December 09, 2012, 07:40:29 AM »

I have H&R/NEF shortys in both 18.5" and 20" lengths. On a single-shot like these guns, 20" is still pretty darned short overall. While I do like the 18.5" as a camper and general packin' SG, if I were to make up one specifically as a turkey gun, I think I'd go 20" or 21". Still super-short, but, IMO, a little more versatile.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #11 on:** December 09, 2012, 10:38:03 AM »

Quote from: Rustyinfla on December 05, 2012, 12:58:08 PM

I have an 18.5" 12 ga and I find it's a little bit too short. I find that when I put pressure on the release latch the barrel just seems to hang there and not drop unless I give it a snap of the wrist. That's just my opinion, YMMV. I wish it were another 2" or so longer.

Rusty,

I think if you every so slightly relieve the spacer on your forestock then the gun should open right up for you. If you have a syn. forestock the you need to relieve the radius of the forestock. If you do this go very slowly, doesn't take much removal of material to make a big difference.

BB

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #12 on:** December 10, 2012, 08:59:15 AM »

Thanks BB,

I might just try that.

FPH · « **Reply #13 on:** December 10, 2012, 09:07:56 AM »

My 20 ga. barrel is 28" log. It is a modified choke. I assume that if I cut the barrel down to say 20" that the internal mod. choke goes away and I need to cut treads to accept chokes.......True?

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #14 on:** December 10, 2012, 09:10:32 AM »

Thanks BB, I'll give that a try.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #15 on:** December 10, 2012, 10:29:54 AM »

Quote from: FPH on December 10, 2012, 09:07:56 AM

My 20 ga. barrel is 28" log. It is a modified choke. I assume that if I cut the barrel down to say 20" that the internal mod. choke goes away and I need to cut treads to accept chokes.......True?

Yes, if after cutting off 8" you would have a cylinder bore, that is no choke. You can have the barrel tape to accept a choke, install an adapter that will accept chokes or if for home defense or foster slugs just shoot it w/o a choke.

BB

FPH · « **Reply #16 on:** December 10, 2012, 12:05:25 PM »

That's what I thought........Thanks

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #17 on:** December 10, 2012, 12:32:44 PM »

For every inch under 28 you loose 5Feet Per second in speed.
Also if you take a 30" and cut it to 18.5 you will need to put a huge bead on the gun or you will shoot too high.
I think they swing line crud. I think a single or SXS with 24 to 26" barrels are more than short enough and the extra weight swings better for running shots.
A 24" barrel is still throwing a 1200 FPS shot shell at 1180 and is shorter than most Pumps with 18" barrles that is throwing the same shot shell at 1150 FPS.

FPH · « **Reply #18 on:** December 10, 2012, 02:45:44 PM »

After it is all said and done, I think she stays at 28.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #19 on:** December 11, 2012, 08:21:13 AM »

Many shotgun loads use fast burning powder like target loads or clays loads and they reach max vel. in 15 to 18 inches. The load won't go faster in a longer bbl.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #20 on:** December 11, 2012, 08:33:57 AM »

Quote from: FPH on December 10, 2012, 02:45:44 PM

After it is all said and done, I think she stays at 28.

i am have trouble bringing myself to cut mine too

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #21 on:** December 14, 2012, 01:54:09 PM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on December 11, 2012, 08:21:13 AM

Many shotgun loads use fast burning powder like target loads or clays loads and they reach max vel. in 15 to 18 inches. The load won't go faster in a longer bbl.

From what I have read the ballistics of a shotgun are that 12 ga is based on a 28" barrel and that you increase velocity to 28" and decrease past that as the pressure maxes out at 28" and everything past that is drag.
Now things may have changed with Buck shot or Slugs that are usually shot in shorter barreld guns and faster powders may be used to maximize speeds.
I will have to get out a 20" and a 28" barrel and some buck and head to the range with a chrono.