Author Topic: 18 inch barrel (Read 604 times)

dougk · « **on:** April 20, 2005, 12:09:15 PM »

I read that 18 inches is all you need for the shot to pattern and reach full velocity. Is this true? Does anyone have first hand experience patterning a short barrel vs. long barrel keeping all things (choke, shot) the same?

If 18 inches is all that is needed I'm going to buy a coach gun for Dove hunting next year.

Thanks,
Doug

dukkillr · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2005, 12:15:12 PM »

Pattern isn't the only reason for a longer barrel. The gun will "jump" more with a short barrel, plus the balance will be terrible and the gun won't swing particularly well. The biggest issue is that a short barrel has a much higher potential for ringing the ears of anyone next to you. I consider 26" to be the shortest barrel for a multi-purpose, single barrel, shotgun.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2005, 02:49:58 PM »

The longer the barrel the longer the sight plane.......The longer the sight plane the more the target is preceived to be closer than it really is.......Most sporting clay shooters as well as trap shooters prefer the longer barrels.......skeet shooters on the other hand like the faster swing on a shorter barrel.....(shorter being 26")........

I think you will miss the longer barrel length on the dove field........but rabbit hunting in the thickets where shots are short and you have to be fast, an 18" might be the ticket........VC

Critter · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2005, 03:00:54 PM »

Velocity loss is minimal with shorter barrels but it's there. Not enough to worry me though. I just shot a 24 and a 25 on the trap field with a Stoeger 12 ga coach gun. Just depends on what you like.

dougk · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2005, 05:27:56 PM »

Dove are fast. That is why im thinking the Stoeger or Baikal Coach style gun. I have a Stoeger SxS that I like better than my old Beretta 686 O/U for field shooting here in Texas. The fields here in Texas are rough on guns and the Stoeger performs great and is cheap. If I where competing I would rather have the Beretta.

Doug