Author Topic: Barrel length?  (Read 992 times)

rocfish13

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Barrel length?
« on: February 08, 2011, 05:47:17 AM »
What do you like in a turkey gun, a long or short barrel? Roc  *up* *up*

Offline Porter

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #1 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!

hunter22

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #2 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.

Offline Bulldogmikey

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #3 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!
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Offline Zumer

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #4 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...
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Offline PA Boxcall

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #5 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.

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« Last Edit: February 08, 2011, 08:09:46 AM by paboxcall »
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Offline Zumer

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #6 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...

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hunter22

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #7 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.

Offline J R Hunt Camp

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #8 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.


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Dcoleinpa

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2011, 08:41:41 AM »
I don't even know how long my barrel is. seems pretty short

Offline drabndouble

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #10 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.

Offline shad309

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #11 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


Offline Porter

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #12 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*

Offline Porter

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #13 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*

Offline Porter

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Re: Barrel length?
« Reply #14 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.