24, 26, 28 or 30?

[woodshed]

another:You also lose a small amount of velocity from the shorter bbls to a point.I saw a test that Lyman did one time where they clocked various loads and bbl lengths and then averaged the speeds out in 12 gauge guns.It worked out to around 12 feet per second per inch of bbl length.This could vary due to differences in barrels and the pressures they build but the shotguns don't lose near as much speed as do centerfires.The loss in speed wouldn't make much difference in the real world hunting fields at typical hunting ranges.--The muzzle blast and noise are also much more noticeable on the real short bbl guns to.......Hope this helps.......

[woodshed]

This guy in this string seems to think a longer barrel is needed for complete powder burn. But, I also read that the velocity loss is small. Velocity drops about 25 fps per inch of barrel length I guess. Where this happens is still in question. If it's a negligible loss than the shorter barrel convenience out weighs the loss of velocity for turkey hunting.

bbl length has nothing to do with holding the shot for grouping shot in flight to target. thats what choke is all about. try to picture a jet on an aircraft carrier. the plane must get to speed before it leaves the deck. if the plane is not given enough power it falls off the end. too much power and it will rip its landing gear off. the deck length never changes...the power it is given does, from the 'catapult'. in this case, the catapult is the powder and bbl combo, for a gun. put an undercharged home loaded shell in your gun. forget the powder or get a bad primer and what happens? the wad never clears the bbl and you get an obstruction. wad stays in the bbl and shot falls out. why? the powder didnt burn long enough to push the wad clear of the muzzle. right? its the same thing on a faster scale. it has to be timed perfectly. sometimes overpowered shells have been known to push the wad sideways as it leaves the muzzle. the blast and pressure disturbs the flight of the wad which upsets the pellets and poor patterns can be the result. so, pro shotgunners look for that perfect load to stop burning AT the muzzle. 1200 fps was the norm for skeet @ 26". 1205fps was 28". trap loads were heavier loads requiring for ummph, thus they were designed around the 30" bbl and got a liitle more MV too. follow me?

former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction

[woodshed]

these guys are talking about upland bird gun, but he says 16-18 inches for powder burn.

In point of fact, the powder in a shot gun barrel is burned within 16-18" and a longer barrel does not increase shot velocity. That said, what a longer barrel gives you is a longer "sight" radius (though you are not really using sights except on slug barrels). You can do most anything with 26" so go with what feels/handles/swings best for you, and be confident it will do the job you want done.

My heros have always killed cowboys.

[Strut10]

these guys are talking about upland bird gun, but he says 16-18 inches for powder burn.

In point of fact, the powder in a shot gun barrel is burned within 16-18" and a longer barrel does not increase shot velocity.

I guess all I can tell you is to believe whichever advice suits your opinion best.

[PA_RIDGE_RUNNER]

This thread has piqued my interest a bit. If all the powder is burned in 16-18 inches then there is no longer any more pressure being built behind the shot cup. The longer the shot cup remains in the barrel the less the pressure behind it to accellerate it and it would tend to slow from decreasing pressure. We know that the longer barrels will ultimately give more fps. How can that be. BTW I use a Win 1300 with a 22 inch barrel and have killed turkeys out to 55 steps with copper coated #6 shot from Win Super X 3 inch turkey loads.