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Offline NTPA1

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Barrel Length
« on: November 03, 2005, 01:55:32 PM »
How do you feel about barrel length in a shotgun? 26, 28 or 30. What are the factors? Ease of carry? pattern?
My 26"s seem to pattern as well as my 28's.
Opinions?
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Offline Ramrod

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Barrel Length
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2005, 02:06:31 PM »
I think barrel length has little to do with pattern, but everything to do with handling. A 30" is going to swing smoothly and make long range hits easier on ducks, but is going to be pretty useless for snap-shooting in the North-eastern grouse woods. The guys who like to shoot those inedible clay birds have been evolving towards an average barrel length of a couple of inches longer than what was used 3 or 4 decades ago.
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Offline lefty o

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Barrel Length
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2005, 06:43:38 PM »
length has zero to do with patterns. barrel length is all dependent on what i have the shotgun for.
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Offline Graybeard

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Barrel Length
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2005, 04:28:04 AM »
Before you talk barrel length you need to talk action type and purpose of gun. You'll find 26" barrels on a pump or semiauto to make a longer gun than 28" on a double.

For most of my use I prefer 26" on pumps or semiautos with 28" as long as I care for if hunting. For crow hunting in tight places like turkey hunting I want still shorter. For trap shooting I prefer at least 30" barrels.

Now when we go to doubles I generally prefer 28" barrels for all round use. But for trap or sporting clays even longer is better. To me O/U's with 26" barrels just seem too short.
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Offline mountainview

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Barrel Length
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2005, 04:47:42 AM »
My opinions mirror those above. I like 26" or 28" long barrels on my pumps and semis (30" on my O/U) for helping with my swing and don't mind carrying them in open areas but for close in work and in the thick stuff, the shorter barrels sure are nicer to carry. All in all however, go with the length(s) you are most comfortable with.
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Offline Dave H20 Fowl

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Barrel Length
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2005, 11:06:53 AM »
I like 28" barrels on my pump or semi-auto for waterfowl hunting.  The longer barrel helps with swinging through your target.  You also get a tiny percentage of velocity gain with a longer barrel.  I don't believe this has any influence on your shooting.  I tried a 30" barreled semi auto a few years ago but the balance seemed off.
I would prefer a shorter barrel for grouse hunting in the thick stuff.  The birds are so close and they fly into cover so fast, swinging a longer barrel is a little tough.  I wonder if I can get a 24" for my 1100 LT-20?
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