shotgun barrel question?

B&G Clinger

I have a remington 870 express. It has a short smooth bore barrel. I have taken it to shoot at clay pigeons a couple of times and have gotten a comment like "you need a longer barrel on that thing" Does any one know why they would say this? Is there an advantage to having a longer barrel? or are they just jerking me around.

Nwcid

Well that depends on a couple thing. In the old days length made lots of difference in shot pattern. The choke will also make a big difference in shot pattern too. Now day with some of the improved choke patterns you can get the same patterns with a shorter (not always the same as short) bbl then use to be possible.

duckhunter

What is your score?/ How many targets do you break out of 25??

XXCross

I'm not sure what you call "short", but I've seen some very respectable trap scores shot with full or modified choked guns having 25 or 26 inch Bbls. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Bill DeShivs

There is little advantage if you learn to shoot the short barrel. If you did, a longer barrel would be a handicap. Then you could look at their guns and say, "You need a shorter barrel on that thing!"

Mk 19

If you are comfortable shooting the short barrel than shoot it, there is nothing wrong with it.

However most of the world class trap shooters are now using 34" barrels, skeet shooters are now going to 30" and 32" barrles, and sporting clays guns are now also 30" to 32". The reason for the extra length is that it alows for a better swing wih emproved follow through and a longer sight radius. But that does not mean that you can not shoot clays with a 18" barrel riot gun, after all your not going to the olympics so just have fun. You can always upgrade at a later date if needed. Here are 3 great examples of guns for shotgun sports:

Sporting Clays: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=98145326

Trap: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=97673576

Skeet: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=97730457

Tailgunner1954

The why has nothing to do with how it shoots, but with how it balances & swings. Short barrels tend to allow you to stop your swing, and the balance is to far to the rear. Long barrels help you to keep the gun swinging on a flat plane.

n/a

Read a lesson on shotguns, the way they are built and the ammunition. the maximum velocity with a shotgun barrel is reached in 20 inches, after that the barrel friction slows the shot down a bit . After the twenty inches it comes down to CHOKE.. a full choke on a 24 inch gun will throw approximately the same pattern as that on a 34 inch gun maybe an inch or two difference, however the pellet speed will be faster..There are all kinds of good sites with this type information..Barrel length is a matter of perception, and plays a different roll for different people..

As others say if you shoot SKEET well with it???????????????

walther86

I have two barrels for my 870 express: an 18" and a 30". I pretty much just keep the 18" on it until a bird hunt rolls around, then I'll put the longer barrel on. But if you're just shooting skeet and doing fine...no worries

tsr1965

I have an 870 Express Turkey gun with a 21" vent rib barrel that has the Rem Choke system. It is not my preferred trap gun, but it works in a bind, and with an IC choke in, it is a screamer for Skeet. If you were shooting trap, perhaps the other 4 guys on the stations were not quite amused by the blast that the short barrel provides?

bobski

many skeet ranges tend to not accept short riot bbls for safety reasons only. because its so short, its easy to hold the gun dangerously while waiting your turn. it makes others nervous.
its real easy to straddle the gun with the bore under your chin or it can swing across someones face if you turn to talk, etc...

other than that, if it breaks birds, shoot it.