youngbuck06 Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 I shoot a Remington 1187 Super Mag with a 28" barrel and added to that is a Kick's .665 choke. Do you guys prefer a long or a shoot barrel for hunting turkeys and what might be some pros/cons? I know a short barrel makes it easier to maneuver if a bird comes in from an unexpected angle but i would like to hear some other opinions on the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 My 12 ga is 26" long..dont think the length keeps me from finding the target Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 A longer barrel will get you a bit more velocity. But it is a little heavier and less maneuverable in the woods. A shorter barrel is a whisker lighter and doesn't catch on as many limbs or saplings......but you do lose some fps. I have or have had turkey guns with barrels from 21"-30" plus the length of an extended choke tube. 24"-26" seems to be just about right for me. But the 21-incher and the 30-incher both killed a bunch of longbeards for me without so much as a hiccup. Sounds like you have got yourself a pretty sweet turkey hammer there !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Yep...Strut's right about the slight drop in velocity mainly with barrel lengths shorter than 26". Below that you'll loose 7.5 to 15 fps for every inch shorter than 26" depending on the load you're using. Don't believe you really gain any velocity with lengths over 26". According to the specs on the loads I shoot, a 26" barrel will give you 10 to 15% better patterns than a shorter barrel too. May not make that much difference with other loads. I shoot a 26" barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burkef1 Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 Shorter the better.... Last year I had to wait out a tom that was right on top of me and I couldn't move. I thought my arm was going to fall off. Shorter= lighter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 Shorter the better.... Last year I had to wait out a tom that was right on top of me and I couldn't move. I thought my arm was going to fall off. Shorter= lighterJMO but this HS Shotgun Rest that straps around your leg at your knee will sure help a lot with that situation. I don't turkey hunt without one. Helps a whole lot with holding and keeping your shotgun at or near the ready position on your knee. H.S. Strut Gun Rest Polyester Realtree APG Camo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 JMO but this HS Shotgun Rest that straps around your leg at your knee will sure help a lot with that situation. I don't turkey hunt without one. Helps a whole lot with holding and keeping your shotgun at or near the ready position on your knee. H.S. Strut Gun Rest Polyester Realtree APG Camo I'm a redneck.......................and cheap. I have a forked hickory stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loner Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 just depends on your preference and where you hunt.i like the shorter barrel because it is easier to get around in the woods and thick stuff.it is also easier to swing in direction of a tom if he comes from direction other than set up.saplings,twigs,branches and such seem to always interfering with getting barrel where you need it.as for range or patterns,there is no difference in length of barrel with today's choke tubes.my browning A-500G has a custom 22.5" barrel with carlsons custom tube and my rem 870 has a 26" barrel but is heavier and harder for me to get around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 I'm a redneck.......................and cheap. I have a forked hickory stick. That'll work too...just slide in between your rope & your pants when you're on the move. too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 Binder twine, Al. Binder twine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlriggins Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 I believe it depends on the situation fps equates to more yardage and in an open field that can get pretty long say 35-40 yds. or more. Don't get me wrong I like to call them close but sometimes the hail Mary shot is the difference between filling tags or not, and for this reason I go long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 JMO but this HS Shotgun Rest that straps around your leg at your knee will sure help a lot with that situation. I don't turkey hunt without one. Helps a whole lot with holding and keeping your shotgun at or near the ready position on your knee. H.S. Strut Gun Rest Polyester Realtree APG Camo i got that... sometimes i remember to bring it along. when i do it does save my knee. i think my Benelli Supernova is a 26 or 28" barrel with a PureGold choke which is a little longer than many. Seems to do alright. last bird didn't flop once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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