barrel length for bird hunting

[Stickerbush]

My little brother is looking into getting a shotgun for bird hunting. We have looked at several nice guns in 24 and 28 inches. Any input on whether 24 inches will be sufficient? the guy at the gun shop told me something about the powder or force only reaching 24 inches anyway and the choke tube is more important than barrel length, but I cant really recall what exactly he was talking about. I have only used a 28 inch gun so I don't have much idea

Another thing to keep in mind, my brother is a youth hunter of 14 so it might be easier for him to handle a shorter barrel (although he is not a small, just not full grown). Any input on this would be great, thanks!

[h2ofowlr]

The shorter the muzzle the faster the swing in many cases.  Most guys hunt with 28" or 30" barrels on duck guns.  Some as short as 26" unless a youth gun.  I personally like 28" or longer for hunting.  Longer line of sight, better pattern and less velocity drop.

[Alpine Mojo]

Birds won't know the difference between 24"and 28" barrels.

Choke will determine pattern, not barrel length.

Find a gun that fits good on his shoulder, and then consider choke.

[bobcat]

The longer barrel is important for the longer sight plane and when you're swinging on a bird they tend to help you with your follow through, whereas with a short barrel like a 24 inch, you're more likely to stop your swing and shoot behind the bird. A pump action or autoloader will have extra length in the receiver over a double barrel, so you can get by with about 2 inches less barrel length. With a pump or autoloader I like 26 inches of barrel length as a minimum for an all around shotgun, a double barrel I would want 28 inches.

[TwoSixFourWins]

What kind of bird hunting will it be mostly? Field for goose, blind for ducks, scrub for uplands? My goose gun is a lot different than my upland gun.

[high country]

What kind of gun? A long receiver 24" gun could still be longer than a 30" SxS.

[Mr56Jeep]

My 

It matters very little how long the barrel is.  More important it the fit at the butt end of the gun and equally important to that is the trigger time.

If it fits and get shot a fair amout, barrel length, choke or shells will matter very little.

.

[Stilly bay]

What kind of gun? A long receiver 24" gun could still be longer than a 30" SxS.

 

the added weight and balance of longer barrels will really help your swing and follow through. shorter barrels are quicker to swing but also quicker to stop moving, not a good thing for a novice IMO.

all my upland bird doubles are 30" except one that is 28". I have never had that extra 4-2" of barrel get caught up in the brush and never in my hunting career have I wished for shorter barrels on my gun... and I do a lot of grouse hunting in heavy brush.

ever notice how all the big time sporting clay guys shoot guns with longer barrels? might be something to that?

on an auto or a pump ( like High country said)  24" barrels can easily bring you to that 28-30" sweet spot found in many O/U's or SxS's . if you want a good handling upland bird pump/auto  I would really try to find a gun with that length barrel in your price range and try it out.

i think there are a few manufacturers that are  doing a deal where you can buy a kids sized gun and get an adult stock for it free of charge later on, might be worth looking into

[Stickerbush]

its a benelli nova fyi

[Wacenturion]

Most of my upland guns are smaller gauges....28ga. for the most part and a couple 20's.  All are generally 25" barrels on the pumps and auto.  O/U's are the same or maybe 26.

On target faster, lighter gun to pack in the field, and ammo weighs less.  All that makes for more time in the field as far endurance.  Oh and use more open chokes...skeet or improved behind pointing dogs, or improved/modified chokes without dogs.

Shooting upland birds is instinctive.  If you have to aim with a longer barrel, you're waiting too long.

[ing]

For me its the overall length of the gun that I look for, which determines the barrel length. All of my shotguns have barrels between 24 and 26 inches.