Shotgun

[Merle]

I'm getting ready to purchase a new shotgun. I'm considering a 24" or 26" Barrel, which I could put a turkey choke into and use on predators. I have been told that the shorter barrel may give me a disadvantage when duck and goose hunting. All of the shotguns I have ever owned have had 28" or 30" barrels. I would like to know if the shorter barrel is undesirable for bird hunting? :ph34r:

[Jerry]

personally i use always a longer barrel. especially for birds. too many time they are way out in front and I need that extra distance they provide.

[Mossyhorns]

Same here i prefer the 28 in Barrels.Just for the sole purpose of more distance.And tighter pattern at that distances.

[MOUNTAIN MAN]

I am in the same postion as you, I just gave up and bought another shotgun.

[outlaw from Idaho]

Merle,I'm going with the shorter type shotgun barrels, I have a friend that has a mod 12 win trench gun with a polly choke on it and with that 20-21 inch barrel screwed tight its a long range duck gun,I've seen it work at long range many many times. My best friend in Montana shoots a rem 870 sp field with a 21 incher and it works wonders.. My next one and only shotgun will have a 21-24 inch barrel on it or I will not own it. Just me. Outlaw

[CSA]

I have an 26 inch barrel, on my remington 870. I shoot a full choke with light load for bunnies, light load with a mod choke for doves, full choke for turkey with heavy loads for trap light loads and improved choke.

But with todays shotguns you can have any barrel you like, that why I have a pump gun, the barrels and chokes are easy to change out, the only time I change out the barrel is when someone needs one for deer then I put on a slug barrel

[Tifford]

A few thoughts on barrels

It use to be true that longer barrels gave you tighter groups at longer range but that is no longer true with modern barrels and modern chokes!

A longer barrel will send the pellets out of the barrel at a faster rate but not by much. I had an arguement with a PH.D guy about this. I finally called up remington and spoke to them. The person I talked to said that a longer barrel in a shotgun will give the pellets more speed but not by much. Nothing like the gains in rifle length. A longer barrel with also add a little weight to the gun which reduces recoil.

Most turkey hunters prefer short barrels because they don't have to hold up as much weight.

I prefer a 28" barrel because I believe that the follow through is very important. I grew up with a 28" barrel and I like the feel and balance of it. You really need to pick a few up and feel which one is right for you. Hold it like you would be toting it through the woods.

Buy what you like.

Tifford

[rojo36]

Good advise Tifford , I don't try to make one gun do everything . I have one that I shoot trap and others that I hunt with depending on what I hunt . I have never found one gun that was good for everything , it might make do but a lot of types of hunting just are easier with a gun that is designed for it .

[Tifford]

I have a lot of rifles. I only own two shotguns though.

One is a browning 28"barrel semi that I have rigged up for Turkey hunting. I have that thing dialed in so good that I don't want to mess with it. Last fall I took a turk's head clean off at 20 yards. It should be good to around the 40+yard range.

The other is an old winchester model 140 3 shot semi. It is light and it gets the job done. When I bought it I was just finishing up High School and I thought it was the cats meow compared to an old bolt action that had a poly choke and a muzzle brake on it. Over 15 years old now and it still shoots fine. Just keep it clean.

The only skeet I shoot at is in the back yard with my skeet machine. I use it to practice up with. Once I can get 10 in a row from every angle I feel better about going into the woods. I feel like I need to tighten up the choke on it a little. The birds where I hunt are skidish and will flush a ways a way. Kind of fun timing the shots between the trees too.

I'd love a browning (or ruger) over/under........maybe one day.

One more bit of advice.....I see you mentioned turkey hunting. I would suggest that you get a semi b/c the recoil will be less. I can handle shooting 50 to 100 round of 3 1/2"magnum turkey loads to sight my red dot scope in and to find out which load and choke are the best for me. Some guys can't. Don't go too light with the weight of your gun. Save some money for a red dot scope and mounting hardware.

I like a blued shot gun with real wood. So I have to cammo tape mine every year.........something else to consider.

Buy what feels good in your hands

Tifford