On Barrel Length: How long is long enough?

[Craig Larter]

In the clay target shooting sports the target flies a predictable path, a pre-mounted gun is allowed and the break point can be decided in advance. Long barrels and a steady deliberate swing is best at that game. Hunting birds is a different story. As a bird's flight path becomes more unpredictable shorter barrels work because the swing is shorter and taken quicker. Ducks fly a more predicable path versus quail. I really wouldn't want to hunt wild quail with my 32" duck gun but it works fine for sporting clays. Just like my 26" 20ga Fox works great on quail, but it's more difficult to shoot sporting clays or ducks with. Just one of the reasons to own a bunch of Parkers.