On Barrel Length: How long is long enough?

[charlie cleveland]

i like long barrels just because.....but short barrels for bird hunting like quail and such....would not mind haveing a 36 inch 20 ga for ducks....charlie

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by charlie cleveland

i like long barrels just because.....but short barrels for bird hunting like quail and such....would not mind haveing a 36 inch 20 ga for ducks....charlie

I hope Santa brings you that 20, Charlie. Merry Christmas!

[Mike of the Mountain]

I prefer longer barrels on my clays guns. 32" works best for me. Since we can't add barrel length, depending on which event I'm shooting the gun might be 30" or 28". I have a few 26" guns that I carry bird hunting. It's all about feel and a smooth swing. On clay targets those longer barrels just swing so nicely onto the targets. If the gun is in that 7lb 12oz to 9lb range, that's even better. The weight helps with the smooth swing and reduces felt recoil on those tournament days where I'm shooting 6 events or more. I like 26" and 28" in the uplands. They carry a little easier. The barrel length doesn't hurt my "body count". If you put the muzzles at the right place, barrel length and choke are irrelevant.