Looking to upgrade my Nova to a Super Black Eagle II. My nova has a 28" barrel, is there a big difference in a 28" to a 26".. besides 2"

I think so, there is smaller room for error with a 28, you can get a 26 out of the blind faster but for me the 28 is more forgiving. I used to shoot a 24 and 26 but do better with a 28, especially on longer shots.
For me it will always be a 28, except for teal season then maybe my 24 for up close fast reaction shots.

Another point, your friends will hate you shooting that shorter barrel if you swing towards or over their head.

Shorter=faster swing
Longer=little more range

Who swings towards or above peoples heads? That's just dangerous

Ask beaver!

It really is just 2".


I've shot all of the above, 24, 26, and 28. If you move just one set, say from 24 to 26 or 26 to 28, 95% of people can't and won't tell the difference. And you'll never be able to tell if you missed a close shot or a long shot because of barrel length. In my opinion; if you can shoot, you can shoot. Barrel doesn't matter. I use my SBEII for everything, dove, duck, geese, quail, snipe, doesn't matter. Change the choke and go shoot $hit in the beak.

Personally, I shoot a 26" barrel and change chokes as needed depending on the game I'm hunting.

It's just a matter of personal preferance because there is no difference in range between a 24 26 or 28.

I prefer a 24 or 26 over 28

I have used a 24 for the last 15 years.

If you hunt pit blinds in LA and its your shot you will shoot over people sometimes when you stand to shoot.

26 for me

Used the 96 inch barrell last weekend on ducks, and was effective and fun.

I would go 28

It's just what feels best for you.

The range is the same

glad you posted this I was wondering also I use 26 and was thinking of moving up but I guess it really doesent matter

Barrel length has nothing to do with range , its what you like that is the best , and chokes are in inches misses are in feet

28

Get a 26" and a choke tube to balance it out. Will swing fast and still got the range.

Try again Youngin

Who doesn't want two extra inches??

Hopefully, my wife

I used to shoot an 870 with a 30 inch barrel lived it too bad some shady people are in this world and had it along with another gun stole out of my truck

I got a 28" 1187 Super Mag now, use to shoot an 1187 with 26" barrel. I think the 26" was better. The 28" kicks harder, but is reduced with more weight. I killed 2 and 3 birds per volley a lot more often with the 26". I could just swing it faster.

I am going to go back to the 26" for duck hunting and maybe keep the 28" for geese. I only bought the 28" for 3.5" shells. Tried that once and doubt I ever do that again.

28 doesn't give you more range over a 26. They should have that on Mythbusters. I'd like to see a couple of Mods film their own version of this. Plausible? or BUSTED!