clearwaterfun
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2 salt
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Reged: 09/28/06
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Loc: Spokane, WA
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What do you prefer for barrel length 26 or 28 inch and why? I have always shot a 28 inch. The only reason I can give you is that is what I learned to shoot with and its is what I am use to. I will be interested in hearring what people use and why.
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FISH ON!
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BobK
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I've used 'em as short as 22" to as long as 32". It all boils down to gun fit and balancing right, and if they do that, I can hit well with 'em.
I don't care about barrel length, it's the fit and balance more than anything else, at least for me!
BobK
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jimh
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 The only thing I'd add is I really like screw in chokes for anything other than really thick woods for grouse/woodcock. For that, cylinder is fine.
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Wear a PFD if you want to live.
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Foxtrotter
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In my experience, barrel length is not as important as overall gun length for gun fit and "swinginess". A longer barrel is just more to carry around and slows the swing. A few years ago when I was going to get a Benelli SBE a friend of mine who is about 6 inches taller than me said "check out the 24 inch barrel, you won't be disappointed" I wasn't. Shoots, swings and fits great.
Back to the original point - a 24" auto or pump will have an overall length most similar to an over/under with 26 or 28" tubes. If you are going to have multiple guns its worthwhile to keep them all the same.
My o/u guns are 26 1/2" barrels and my SBE is a 24. Overall length is the same
Don't be afraid to go shorter. I'm sure there are other opinions out there but those are mine
Paul
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Mojo
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For what birds, and what gauge? Ducks, I shoot a long barreled (28") 12 ga Pump gun. I'm currently shopping for a short barreled 20 ga O/U for quail and pheasants. If you are shooting quick flying birds in tight cover, you need a light gun with a short barrrel so you can swing quickly. On honks and ducks, you usually have forever and a day to get your gun shouldered and get your swing on...
My 2 centavos...
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
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Foxtrotter
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Mojo,
Lethality is a function of pattern density, velocity, and density of the shot (steel or lead). All I'm saying is that barrel length is not one of these factors.
For steel: I'll shoot nothing less than 1425 fps. The faster the better. For ducks I'll shoot 3 inch: 1 1/8 oz #3, 1 1/4 oz #2, on a windy day for long birds maybe step up to the 3 1/2" 1 3/8 oz #1's. I prefer 3 1/2" 1 3/8 oz #1 or BB for geese. Of course many geese have been killed with 2 3/4" #2's and there's nothing wrong with that but I wouldn't bet on it.
For lead:
Pheasants: high brass 2 3/4" 1 1/4 oz in 7 1/2, 6 or 5's depending on conditions in 12 ga. or 1 oz of 6's in 20 ga.
Chukkar etc: 20 ga, 1 oz 7 1/2 or 6's, high brass.
No matter what you do, pattern your gun with various loads and chokes at 20, 30, and 40 yards. And whatever you do..... don't be a skybuster!
Again, everybody has their favorites, just like egg cures but those are the go to loads for me.
Peace,
Paul
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Mojo
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Foxtrotter,
I am completely with you. My point is, why shoot a 20 with a 30 inch barrel at quail? Doesn't make any sense does it? If you are primarily shooting geese, a heavier gun with a longer barrel absorbs the recoil of magnum goose loads better, and the long rib is better suited for those that have to "aim" their swing. For quail, huns, ruffies, and chukars a quick swinging short barreled gun makes more sense, for those quick instinctive shots. I barely get my 12 to the shoulder before the little buggers are around a russian olive and I miss a lot of shots because of it.
Am I wrong?
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
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Gooose
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Ancient Mod
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Best duck gun I have ever used was an SKB 12 gauge side by side with 2 3/4 inch 26 inch tubes both IC. Weighed about 6 pounds loaded. Kicked the crap out of me but was sheer sweetness swinging on the boids. When I wore glasses when shooting it the recoil blew one or more lenses out. Did the same to my boss during a company skeet shoot. Longest kill paced off was a northern drake Pinnie at 73 paces. Hunting partners shot a 3.5 inch 12 and a 10 gauge and complained about my muzzle blast.  Go with the short barrel and enjoy....just expect a bit more shoulder pain. 
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Independent Advocate For The Fish
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There's lies, damned lies and then there are statistics......Mark Twain
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Quillback
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Yep for upland birds in thick cover, I would go with the short barrel. Short and light.
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I'd rather be fishing
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Foxtrotter
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No your not wrong at all. I just like all my barrels to be the same length. Then my timing and swing are the same whether I'm on the range, in the blind or in the field.
As for recoil reduction, Benelli makes an in stock mercury recoil reducer that makes a huge difference in reducing recoil in both the SBE and Nova. For other guns you can get a similar product and fit it yourself (it's easy). Do a web search for "Wright's recoil reducer" they are sold out of a gun shop in Illinois.
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Team Ugly Stick
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clearwaterfun
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Reged: 09/28/06
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Loc: Spokane, WA
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Yah the "recoil reducers" are right next to the SKIRTS. Just kidding 
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FISH ON!
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Dogfish
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My 835 has a 26" barrel and I hit my ducks as dead as anyone else's. It was a turkey model. Great for grouse!
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"Give me the anger, fish! Give me the anger!"
Be like Big Stick!
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Will fish for food
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Thick Tail
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26 or 28 most shot is at max speed at 20 to 24". My 1187 is a 28 and my 20g UO 28. I wish the 1187 was a 26" but I like the 20 in 28" My UO is shorter than the auto so swinging isn't a big deal but the auto doesn't fit in my hard case.
WFFF
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Take A Kid Fishing It Will Be Good For Both Of You
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clucknmoan
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Quote:
Foxtrotter said:
A longer barrel is just more to carry around and slows the swing.
Paul
I don't know about it slowing the swing, I've never had an issue with it, but the heavier weight does keep you from stopping you swing once you pull the trigger, the reason people miss %90 of their birds.
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