On Barrel Length: How long is long enough?

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by todd allen

I'm in the mood for a stupid analogy, so here goes:
Long barrels on a shotgun are like long legs on a woman. Covers longer distances easier, and looks good doing it.

Okay, I'll duck now.

[Randy Roberts]

Originally Posted by todd allen

I'm in the mood for a stupid analogy, so here goes:
Long barrels on a shotgun are like long legs on a woman. Covers longer distances easier, and looks good doing it.

Okay, I'll duck now.

Never pictured you for a brain surgeon, my apologies Todd, you're obviously gifted. I'll buy you a beer in Vegas.

[Kevin McCormack]

I shot international trap (bunker) competitively for 10 years using a completely stock (unaltered) Browning Superposed Pigeon Grade Lightning Trap, long tang flat knob with 30" barrels and narrow (7MM) rib weighing 8lb. 6oz. For me that particular configuration proved perfect; I tried 32" guns a couple of times but found just that short increase in barrel length put the gun's dynamic handling balance out of my control - when I'd reach the end of a fast swing on a severe angle quartering target, the gun would tend to roll off my cheek and take off on its own path. Being of medium height with shorter vs. longer arms, the control of the longer barreled gun became a distraction, then a struggle. In my case, shorter was better.

[Stan Hillis]

A man can get used to shooting just about any length barrels and eventually shoot them well, IMO. However, there are built in advantages to barrel lengths for certain applications. For serious sporting clays, where one or two targets separates the winner from the also-ran, it is my opinion that barrels in the 32" range, on fixed breech guns, can help you gain that extra bird or two, with today's target presentations.

I absolutely love 32" barrels on well balanced guns for sporting, doves and ducks. My "stable" testifies to that belief.

[Phil Yearout]

28” works for me: long enough for the job, short enough to easily get out of the truck

[George "Scott" Davis]

Interesting question!!
I'm 6 ft 3 inches which I believe height and arm length has influence on barrel length. So here's my thoughts:
Skeet-28 inches with 12 gauge however sub-gauges 30 inches as lighter guns can make barrels whippy
Bunker, Helice, Wobble- 32 inches
Sporting Clays- 30 or 32 depending on course layout
Early Hunting on the prairie over pointing dogs- 28 inches, late season 30
Mearns Quail-24-26-28, I prefer 26
Desert Quail-28 inches
I've never hunter Ruffed Grouse but have trip booked next year and will bring 26 and 28 inch 16 gauge guns.
I use only fixed choke shotguns

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by George Davis

Interesting question!!
I'm 6 ft 3 inches which I believe height and arm length has influence on barrel length. So here's my thoughts:
Skeet-28 inches with 12 gauge however sub-gauges 30 inches as lighter guns can make barrels whippy
Bunker, Helice, Wobble- 32 inches
Sporting Clays- 30 or 32 depending on course layout
Early Hunting on the prairie over pointing dogs- 28 inches, late season 30
Mearns Quail-24-26-28, I prefer 26
Desert Quail-28 inches
I've never hunter Ruffed Grouse but have trip booked next year and will bring 26 and 28 inch 16 gauge guns.
I use only fixed choke shotguns

George, I like your barrel length choices for hunting. However, I wouldn't know a wobble from a bobble. Be careful on the grouse hunting...it can be quite addictive (And watch out for those timberdoodles. You may come up with a new set of barrel length and gun balance criteria for them.)

Thanks for contributing to our discussion.

[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.