shotgun barrel lenght

I am going to buy a new shotgun, and am uncertain whether to go with a 26' or 28' barrel. Most of my shooting is pigeons, quail and chuckers to train pointing dogs for hunt tests. I am assuming the extra two inches lets you reach out further, if that is correct how much further? I would like a Browning fusion in 20 gauge but am not having any luck finding one. Anyone have any leads?

Thanks, Gregg in upstate NY

In my experience, the additional barrel length is about balance and smoothness of tracking; it only affects how far you can shoot by smoothing your swing on the long shots, not about affecting your pattern density, at least not with modern ammo using plastic shot cups and wads instead of stacks of fiber fillers and such.

Much depends on the length of the action ... 'repeater' vs o/u s/s or single shot ... and the sort of hunting you do. I'm real happy with the 20' vent rib barrel on my Mossberg pump for quail ... it's short and quick. For big ducks pass-shot, I like 28' on a pump. For jump shooting, 26' seems better as the shots are closer and quicker. On a o/u, s/s, or single barrel, 26' is pretty short, a quail gun. 28' would be my minimum for ducks, and 30 to 32 inches would be my preference. Not because of pattern density, but because of how they handle.

But I'm not a serious shotgunner, I just mess with it time to time. Someone more seriously into it might give you better advice.

No. it isn't correct. They will, all else being equal, shoot the same distance. The difference of two inches (or more) has to do with pointing. In general, the longer the barrel, the better the gun will point. The shorter barreled-guns are lighter and may swing faster/easier, especially after a day of chasing dogs in the field.

My sporting clays guns are 30 inches. This gives me a better aim at the target, since I know where they will be and I don't have to do much walking. The added weight also cuts down the perceived recoil. My hunting guns, 12 gauge and 28 gauge, are 26 inches making them lighter and faster, allowing me to respond faster to birds flushing.

You should try a lot of different gun lengths and styles and definitely have some who knows shotguns 'fit you' properly. An ill-fitting shotgun is very difficult to use well. It will also make you [more] black and blue.

Yale (REPLY: Remove '.NOT-ME and .invalid' from ID) * * * *

'There is a serious tendency toward capitalism by the well-to-do peasants.'

I have read and heard from different sources that 72 cm (28.3'' is an 'ideal' barrel-length for o/u and s/s. At least a lot of o/u's come with these barrels. But I don't know the criteria for that 'ideal-length'. I hit some and I miss some with my 28.3'' o/u. Don't know if I can blame the misses on the barrel..

beefeater

Given the same choke the 28in bbl will shoot 2inches further.

Hmmmmmmmm.....that one did not slip pass me.

I recently fired at a coyote from about 40 yards with a 18' 12 gauge Mossberg 'Protector' using 00-buck...to no effect. I need a realistic range of 50-75 yards, and a friend is offering his 28' modified choke Mossberg 500. Will I do better with this longer barrel, or am I wasting my time?

Why are you using 00 Buck? Find some 3-inch No. 4 Buck and watch your score improve. But, 75 yards? Beyond 50 your hits will fall rapidly.

youd want the longer barrel with a full choke to maximize your range.

Bullfeathers!

Where did you ever dream that one up? Have you ever even fired a shotgun? Barrel length and choke have nothing to do with increased range

I've never seen steel 00 buckshot.