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Preferred Barrel Length
#8902630
08/17/23 02:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,286
Jason B
OP
Extreme Tracker
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OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,286 |
What is your preferred barrel length for your dove gun and why?
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8902646
08/17/23 02:19 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,942
unclebubba
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,942 |
My preferred barrel length for dove is the length of the barrel of the shotgun that I happen to pick up because I have never put that much thought into it.
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8902654
08/17/23 02:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 921
DUKFVR
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 921 |
30 in if available on the gun, otherwise 28 in.
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8902672
08/17/23 02:38 PM
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,090
2flyfish4
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,090 |
I don't think it matters, what ever you are use to shooting will suffice. All my shotguns have either 26" or 28" barrels.
The next question is does barrell length or overall length of the gun matter more. Some of my 26" barrel guns are the same overall length of my 28" guns.
Instagram - 2flyfish4
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8902750
08/17/23 04:30 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 252
stevehong
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 252 |
Don't over think it.
Its not like two inches really makes a difference....but two inches is a lot in some cases
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8903523
08/18/23 03:17 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,205
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,205 |
My bird guns all have 28” barrels with the exception of one little 410 over under that has 26” barrels. I like the way 28” barrels handle. The current trend for clay guns is 30”-32”. I am not as quick with the longer heavier shotguns. I don’t like the nose heavy handling that clay shooters currently favor, not to mention the added weight in a field gun.
Last edited by Smokey Bear; 08/18/23 03:18 PM.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8904308
08/19/23 09:13 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 333
claypool
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 333 |
Sporting Clays: 28” to 34”, most popular 30” Skeet: 26” to 32”, most popular 28” Trap: 32” to 34”, most popular 34” single barrel Upland: 24” to 30”, most popular 26” Waterfowl: 28” to 32”, most popular 30” Auto
That is what I am told from an instructor. Take it for what its worth though since I haven't seen a duck hunter with a 30" barrel since still shot became a thing.
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8904310
08/19/23 09:16 PM
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 146
Tortoise2187
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 146 |
Prefer the 26" barrels for dove. I find they swing a little better, because I'm slow on the reaction time.
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8904372
08/19/23 11:01 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,776
P_102
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,776 |
26” handles better for me. Target gun is 30”.
Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8904390
08/19/23 11:32 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,277
cos
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,277 |
Chokes shoud be mentioned also.
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8904542
08/20/23 07:15 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,251
ntxtrapper
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,251 |
Short, with chokes of course. I prefer 22-24.
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8904666
08/20/23 02:01 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 621
H2O Seeker
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 621 |
Whether it's 22 or 32 you have to be able to shoot when the time comes.
Grateful for every sunrise and sunset I get to witness. - Jason
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8904670
08/20/23 02:03 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,503
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,503 |
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8904749
08/20/23 03:58 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 10,639
Greg
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 10,639 |
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8904775
08/20/23 04:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,501
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,501 |
You go short if you're the more wild wild west quick to the draw type guy, go long if you're the more snooty clay shooter type (Judd). 28 is average.
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8905118
08/21/23 01:56 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 531
Hogflyer
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 531 |
All upland guns here, 25, or 26". One duck gun is 30. Once you get used to shooting Short barrels, Hard to switch.
"Buy more ammo, save it for a rainy day."
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8907361
08/24/23 08:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,517
reeltexan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,517 |
It doesn't matter much if the gun fits you properly. If the shots are long, the added weight of a heavier barrel seems to help smooth out the swing a little (maybe) The barrel length controversy is created to sell new shotguns.
gun fit is most important
"If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8909942
08/30/23 03:00 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 146
TX_Birddog1L
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 146 |
Since you asked here are my preferences...also, one thing to keep in mind...if you're using an auto or pump gun the receiver is longer then a double gun receiver...therefore a double gun with 28" barrels could be the same length, or shorter then some autos/pumps with 26" barrels...I like 24"-26" barrels for flushing birds/targets so I can have quicker target acquisition...I like 28" - 30" barrels for higher flying targets and pass shooting...
Sporting Clays: 26” to 28” Skeet: 24” to 28” Trap: 30” to 34” Upland: 24” to 26” Waterfowl: 28"
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8910787
09/01/23 05:01 AM
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 464
Gw123
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 464 |
I prefer 28’s on a field shotgun. I’m a bigger guy though and the added weight is no issue for me, it actually helps keep my swing nice and steady. I have a sxs 20 gauge with 26 inch barrels though, it’s a lot of fun to shoot in the field on birds that are flying in close to land. My clay gun sports 32” barrels and is a dream for me to shoot any clay game with. It’s all what works for you
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Jason B]
#8913447
09/07/23 11:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 597
Cass
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 597 |
Both of these Browning shotguns have 26" barrels. The LOP is about the same on both. For me, the A5 on the left is configured better for dove. The old Superposed on the right is great for quail and pheasant. Overall length means a lot more to me than barrel length.
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Re: Preferred Barrel Length
[Re: Cass]
#8913457
09/08/23 12:16 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,501
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,501 |
Both of these Browning shotguns have 26" barrels. The LOP is about the same on both. For me, the A5 on the left is configured better for dove. The old Superposed on the right is great for quail and pheasant. Overall length means a lot more to me than barrel length.
Yeah, when you talk about barrel length, you need to specify if you are talking an auto or not, because given same barrel length, auto will be longer than an over/under or side-by-side.
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