Osage Roost

General Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: rocfish13 on February 08, 2011, 05:47:17 AM

Title: Barrel length?
Post by: rocfish13 on February 08, 2011, 05:47:17 AM
What do you like in a turkey gun, a long or short barrel? Roc  *up* *up*
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: Porter on February 08, 2011, 06:05:51 AM
I used to enjoy about a 24" barrel.  Lately, I've been shooting a gun with an 18.5" barrel and it's no hindrance to me at all.  It's also a 20 :)  Might shoot the smallest gun out there!
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: hunter22 on February 08, 2011, 06:20:51 AM
Both my turkey guns have 26 inch barrels. I am from the old school that still thinks a longer barrel will give you more distance with a shotgun. I know ballistics data says otherwise but I just feel more comfortable with the longer barrel.
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: Bulldogmikey on February 08, 2011, 06:24:52 AM
My gun the last several years had a 30"....my favorite gun a 34"...I know laugh! but it was a killing machine!
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: Zumer on February 08, 2011, 07:54:51 AM
21" barrels on all of my turkey guns.....never had a problem with the patterning of a shorter barrel...Todays premium ammo does very well w/ a shorter barrel...
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: PA Boxcall on February 08, 2011, 08:09:20 AM
21" barrels on all of my turkey guns.....never had a problem with the patterning of a shorter barrel...Todays premium ammo does very well w/ a shorter barrel...

Totally agree.  My Winchester 1300 has a 21" barrel, and it patterns lead and Hevi just great.

That gun had an 18.5" barrel option, and I regret not getting that version, but 21" is just fine.  I'm not comfortable sitting with a longer barreled shotgun propped across my knee for long periods of time; anything I can do to reduce weight, sign me up.

 *up*
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: Zumer on February 08, 2011, 08:14:43 AM
 anything I can do to reduce weight, sign me up. *up*

   With carrying a vest w/ 50 lbs of calls *wha*, Lord knows, we need the have a shorter, lighter shotgun...

    at my age.......  ROTFLMBO

Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: hunter22 on February 08, 2011, 08:35:35 AM
With Nitro ammo and either an Indian Creek or Rhino choke tube, my guns both pattern very well at 55 yards. I am comfortable pulling the trigger with either gun at this distance knowing something is going to slap the ground on the other end. I am not sure the shorter barrel guns are capable of this. Show me your patterns at this distance and let's do a comparison. I do not like to shoot at this distance, but it is nice to know you can.
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: J R Hunt Camp on February 08, 2011, 08:36:58 AM

   Both my turkey guns have 26 inch barrels. I am from the old school that still thinks a longer barrel will give you more distance with a shotgun. I know ballistics data says otherwise but I just feel more comfortable with the longer barrel.


... I'm with Rickey on this one - both my SBE's came with 26" barrels & have worked just fine for me ... 8)



   Lately, I've been shooting a gun with an 18.5" barrel and it's no hindrance to me at all.


... "or to the gobblers" ...  *wha*  -----------------  ROTFLMBO ROTFLMBO

... j/k Mr. P  ----------------   ;)

Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: Dcoleinpa on February 08, 2011, 08:41:41 AM
I don't even know how long my barrel is. seems pretty short
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: drabndouble on February 08, 2011, 05:00:38 PM
28 inches,,both of 'em ;D  Ive never carried a short barreled shotgun , other than my personal slug shooter . I want my gun to fit and handle good . The length of my barrels have never hindered me from killing a turkey ,,,,it's almost always been me doing something stupid ,,like moving . My double is not just my turkey gun but my dove and crow gun as well.
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: shad309 on February 08, 2011, 05:13:49 PM
My gun the last several years had a 30"....my favorite gun a 34"...I know laugh! but it was a killing machine!

I'm with you Mike! I have a bolt action Marlin 55 Goose gun with a 36" barrell. That's what I carry. You can almost knock em in the head with it instead of shooting  ROTFLMBO ROTFLMBO ROTFLMBO
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: Porter on February 09, 2011, 05:06:13 AM
I don't even know how long my barrel is. seems pretty short

Oh my what I'd love to post right now, but gotta keep it children friendly  *lol*
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: Porter on February 09, 2011, 05:07:04 AM

   Both my turkey guns have 26 inch barrels. I am from the old school that still thinks a longer barrel will give you more distance with a shotgun. I know ballistics data says otherwise but I just feel more comfortable with the longer barrel.


... I'm with Rickey on this one - both my SBE's came with 26" barrels & have worked just fine for me ... 8)



   Lately, I've been shooting a gun with an 18.5" barrel and it's no hindrance to me at all.


... "or to the gobblers" ...  *wha*  -----------------  ROTFLMBO ROTFLMBO

... j/k Mr. P  ----------------   ;)



Jim that was Daryl's fault and my 24" barrel 20  *peep*   *lol* *lol*
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: Porter on February 09, 2011, 05:12:14 AM
With Nitro ammo and either an Indian Creek or Rhino choke tube, my guns both pattern very well at 55 yards. I am comfortable pulling the trigger with either gun at this distance knowing something is going to slap the ground on the other end. I am not sure the shorter barrel guns are capable of this. Show me your patterns at this distance and let's do a comparison. I do not like to shoot at this distance, but it is nice to know you can.

Rickey I know I cannot compare to the 12 or 10 long distances, but what I can tell you is that my 20 with the 18.5" barrel is no disadvantage on the patterning board compared to my 20 with the 24" barrel.  I had to spend more time finding the right choke for it, but I can pull the trigger on it just like I would with my other one. 

Now that is out of a 20 and that's the only gun(s) I can state that with.  I did spend a LOT of time to find the choke and load I wanted to shoot out of that gun though too! 

It did take me a while to get used to toting this smaller gun.  Had to build confidence on it.  Now it's the primary gun I carry. 
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: J R Hunt Camp on February 09, 2011, 07:27:32 AM

   Both my turkey guns have 26 inch barrels. I am from the old school that still thinks a longer barrel will give you more distance with a shotgun. I know ballistics data says otherwise but I just feel more comfortable with the longer barrel.


... I'm with Rickey on this one - both my SBE's came with 26" barrels & have worked just fine for me ... 8)



   Lately, I've been shooting a gun with an 18.5" barrel and it's no hindrance to me at all.


... "or to the gobblers" ...  *wha*  -----------------  ROTFLMBO ROTFLMBO

... j/k Mr. P  ----------------   ;)



   Jim that was Daryl's fault and my 24" barrel 20  *peep*   *lol* *lol*


... you're a good sport P - good luck with your upcomin' spring season ... ;D

Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: muzzleman on February 09, 2011, 08:19:16 AM
Used to use winchester 1200  with 28' barrel chambered for 2 3/4  shells. Killed lots of birds with this gun. IT patterned well out to about 40 yards. Now i use T/C Pro Hunter muzzleloader with 24"barrel .I really like this gun ,but IT took awhile to get it patterning right.
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: firedup on February 09, 2011, 08:27:13 AM
I like shorter barrels in the turkey woods. But my newer 11-87 (Hammer) is 26" I think and its not a problem. Like Porter, my custom built 20ga (Little Man) has an 18.5 barrel and with the right choke and shell combo is a flat out killer. No problemo!
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: West Augusta on February 09, 2011, 09:20:48 AM
My 870 has a 28" barrel and doesn't pattern very well.  I've tried 4 different choke tubes and 5 brands of shells.  I bought a new choke tube and some 3.5" Hevi #6's to try this year.  If this doesn't do it then I am going to try a 24" barrel.
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: jmck on February 09, 2011, 09:37:37 AM
PORTER


if you would go to a longer barrel, .......
one that may reach out pass your feet-----
your TOES may be alot safer and actually stay on your feet longer...

 *lol* *bannana* ROTFLMBO *lol* *bannana* ROTFLMBO
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: jmck on February 09, 2011, 04:38:14 PM
 *peep*
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: Zumer on February 09, 2011, 06:02:19 PM
http://www.wildwingshunting.com/article_shotgunlength.html

I thought this was a very interesting read...Clears up some of the myth about barrel length. :o

     Zumer
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: PA Boxcall on February 09, 2011, 06:04:56 PM
http://www.wildwingshunting.com/article_shotgunlength.html

I thought this was a very interesting read...Clears up some of the myth about barrel length. :o

     Zumer


I've heard numerous times before that past 18 or so inches, the powder burn is over, and the barrel begin to induce drag on the shot column.
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: Porter on February 09, 2011, 08:00:42 PM
PORTER


if you would go to a longer barrel, .......
one that may reach out pass your feet-----
your TOES may be alot safer and actually stay on your feet longer...

 *lol* *bannana* ROTFLMBO *lol* *bannana* ROTFLMBO

Oh man...  it's on now!!!!  Karma will bite you in the hiney :)
Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: J R Hunt Camp on February 10, 2011, 06:42:04 AM

... hmmmmmmmm --------- maybe this will be the next step in "up very close & personal" gobbler encounters ... ;)

        (http://www.bondarms.com/gunSSlarge.gif)

... "wonder if Nitro" ............................................................................ ;D

Title: Re: Barrel length?
Post by: Zumer on February 10, 2011, 10:33:00 AM
JR.......

       Smitty would be really proud of you....... ROTFLMBO

       Dick Kirby has a video, where he shoots a gobbler with a 44 mag....... :o