Barrel length

Can someone please give me a brief explanation of the benefits of various shotgun barrel lengths? I am considering a Citori 12 ga. with 26' barrels for all-around use (waterfowl, pheasant, dove, quail.) What is the downside to 26' barrels vs. the 30' seen on many waterfowl guns?

Thanks in advance.

Shorter barrels= less weight, faster handling.

Longer= longer sighting plane.

30' is popular on clays courses, 26 or 28' more common for hunting.

Your choice! Randy Wakeman

Contrary to popular belief, longer barrels on shotguns do not translate into longer range for shots. However, a longer barrel may translate into more accuracy (i.e. the mass of a longer barrel helps reduce the impact of the kick, reducing the amount of time to get back on target, etc...) There is a good explanation of the mechanics of barrel length in the current month's Ducks Unlimited magazine. Now, for the all around shooter, I believe there are advantages to shorter barrel lengths. 1.)They tend to be lighter, which translates into less fatigue while carrying for a long day. 2.) The shorter barrel is easier to control in dense brush and trees (less barrel to hang.) 3.) The gun may be 'quicker' to bring to bear and swing (less mass, center of mass a bit further back on the guns (sans a stock counter-weight for a longer barrel.))

I once thought that I needed the longer (28 or 30 inch) barrel for waterfowling, and after going with a gun with a longer barrel my shooting definitely improved. However, I found that the longer barrel was actually covering for some of my bad shooting habits. I found that the faster angular momentum with a longer barrel was actually making me swing through my targets, and I was hitting better (with a shorter barrel, I had a tendancy to snap to the target, stop, and pull the trigger.) Some time on the trap and clays range re-corrects that problem every year.

Rob Hatcher

If it weren't for my beautiful wife, my wonderful kids, or this fabulous job, I would be hunting or fishing right now.

The first downside to a 30' barrel is its' length. It's alwayds getting in the way when you're trying to turn quickly in the bush. Abother downside, though marginal, is the extra weight.

Jim Irwin