Thread: Ideal shotgun barrel length

Originally Posted by gadgetman

All the big name Italians have Turkish barrels. Tells you something.

This is a Turk barrel. Stoeger that had a few through it.

ATA! I've have a couple of them also Benelli and Remington and under and over Aramberri.
Bang for buck ATA and they do it in 24" and today with chokes the length isn't that important for hunting.
KH

26"

Remington V3 26" barrel good price now, great gas operating system cycles everything from light target 2.75" loads to heavy 3" magnum


Or a Fabarm

X2 on the ATA. Recommended to me by the guys at shooters supplies for my son.
Barrel length is critical but it all depends on what you need.
If you are shooting fast moving things at close range then you can get away with and also benefit from a shorter barrel. The acceleration you get from trying to get onto target will assist in getting the right lead if required.
Think of skeet guns.
Not 18 though. 24ish although a semi is longer than an u/o with the same barrel length.
If you are shooting at things further out then a little barrel length is very helpful to keep the barrel swinging. You don't want to stop as you shoot.
26-28 are my picks
Ultimately though it comes down to fit.
If it doesnt fit you right and doesnt pattern where you want it, it wont matter how cheap or expensive it is. You wont hit shit all.
You would benefit going to a gun club and some how try out different models.

short barrels are fun...BUT hearing what your Mrs is whispering in your ears is even more important...longer barrels take that noise away a LITTLE bit more,and the flame throw effect is way less....said it before and will say it again,with a shotgun FIT IS EVERYTHING.... a longer barrel helps with swing,a short barrel tends to lead to poking at target.no problem with stationary animals but not so flash on running /flying across the front reflex type shots.

I think you be better off, with an older higher end semi, than a budget new one, last time I was in gun city,
they had racks, of Remington 1100, Browning A5, and SKB 1900, etc, fit is very important in a shotgun, you wont shoot well with poor fit.
to find out, Close your eyes, swing shotgun up in to a shooting position, for a bird, open your eyes, what you want to see, is just the front bead, you should be square with the rib, (centered), the rib should not show any of the flat, just a line. There is other stuff that comes into it, ie is shotgun comfortable to handle, feel natural.
Oh and 26" is my personal choice,

Originally Posted by southernman

I think you be better off, with an older higher end semi, than a budget new one, last time I was in gun city,
they had racks, of Remington 1100, Browning A5, and SKB 1900, etc, fit is very important in a shotgun, you wont shoot well with poor fit.
to find out, Close your eyes, swing shotgun up in to a shooting position, for a bird, open your eyes, what you want to see, is just the front bead, you should be square with the rib, (centered), the rib should not show any of the flat, just a line. There is other stuff that comes into it, ie is shotgun comfortable to handle, feel natural.
Oh and 26" is my personal choice,

I am inclined to agree with yah.

Only thing with an older semi like an A5 you probably cant run steel. Have heard from a supposedly knowledgeable browning guy that the recoil impulse from steel shot gives the old browning a hiding
SKB could be ok though.

Originally Posted by csmiffy

Only thing with an older semi like an A5 you probably cant run steel. Have heard from a supposedly knowledgeable browning guy that the recoil impulse from steel shot gives the old browning a hiding
SKB could be ok though.

old skb yep. new ones are made in turkey.