Shotgun length and choke question?

[Bow Hunter Derek]

Both kill ducks and it simply comes down to personal preferance. I've owned both barrel lengths and can tell no difference.

Some feel that a 28" swings smoother than a 26", some say that a 28" generates more shot velocity as well. Some will say a 28" patterns better. Some will say that a 26" is handier in thick stuff as you have less barrel hanging out to catch on things.

I currenty shoot a BPS with a 26" barrel and am happy with it. I don't know if any of the above is true or not. All I know is that I killed a lot of birds when I had a 28" barrel and I've killed a lot with my current 26" gun. I guess, for me, I just like the looks of the shorter barrel, so that is what I went with this time around.

As for hunting timber in close quarters, an improved choke is probably best, but a modified will work as well. If real short shots, then you might even look into a skeet tube. I had a skeet tube in an old gun of mine and it was DEADLY on in your face woodies.

I know I did not tell you what barrel/choke combo to go with, but hope this helped. It all comes down to personal preference.

[huntn4bucks]

Re: Shotgun length and choke question?

I prefer a 26" barrel over a 28" barrel. Even though the 28" barrel will get you on target quicker, most of my duck hunting is done either from a boat or a pit and the shorter barrel seems to work better in confined spaces.

As far as chokes go, I usually use an Improved Cylinder when hunting close quarters (like timber) and Modified for longer open water shots.

If I were buying a new shotgun, I would go with a 26" barrel. JMO

[total disaster]

Re: Shotgun length and choke question?

LOL I am odd ball LOL I like 30 inch barrels for the extra weight and smoother swing my semi 10 ga has a 30 inch barrel and I have no trouble swinging on ducks of any species...but I'm not the one thats gonna be shooting your gun ....other then weight I see no big diffrenence ...I would use modified choke ...I use modified for eiders and have no trouble from 10 yards out ....best thing is for you to try a few and see whats best for you

[WaCoyote]

Re: Shotgun length and choke question?

I have 26", 28" and 30" barrelled shotguns. I use the 26" for upland game birds as it's the lightest gun. 28" for ducks and pheasants because it's still lighter than my 3.5" 30 incher. I use the 30" for ducks, geese, turkeys, and yotes.

The velocity increase is not enough in my opinion to base your decision on this. It matters much more with rifles.

You hunt flooded timber with shots at 40 yd or less. I would say go with the 28" barrel under a full choke. When you buy a new shotgun you will be provided with several chokes. One will be full=steel / mod=lead. Thats the one I use for most shooting unless I know shots are going to be close. I don't decoy hunt so really close shots are a luxury I don't get to experience often. 40 yds is not a close shot with steel though. You could go to a modified choke but with this crappy steel shot a solid hit is better than a light hit.

I almost always use a full choke unless the shooting will definately be close. Like if it's real snowy and the birds are holding tight in thick cover.

[double_drop]

Re: Shotgun length and choke question?

I would use what ever barrel you are the most comfotable with and can get on the bird very well with. I use a 26 inch barrel and a light modified or modified choke when shooting 40 yards or less.