Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: bod on December 05, 2017, 10:44:49 AM
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What barrel length do you like for waterfowl hunting and why?
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I shoot everything from 21 to 30 with most running 27-29" all on sxs's except the 21, it's on a pump.
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28", bigger is better and it is what was in stock.
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28" on my 1187. I think the stock barrel was 24". I like the longer barrel because it's closer to the geese! :)
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Back in the 80's when we could still use lead shot, I liked using 30" full choke. After steel became manditory, I got a 28" barrel and I like it just fine. Not a lot of difference, but it seems to be a little easier to swing the shorter barrel (especially for the closer fast moving shots).
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Shot a 28" for waterfowl and 26 for upland. 28 better for smooth swing and longer sight plane, 26 for easier brush busting and pointing, imho. Both barrels on old Belgian Light 12 A5.
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Longer helps maintain your swing, shorter is faster. The overall length of a break action is shorter than an auto or pump by the length of the bolt so break action barrels are usually that much longer. I’ve gotten used to a 28” in an auto or 30” in a double which is a good all-around length.
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We use 28” barrels on all of our guns.
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28" has always been my preference with an auto or pump for waterfowl. But I have do have a Browning Gold turkey shotgun that I've used quite a few times recently, and it seems to work pretty good, and is sure handy in the blind. I do think I shoot a little better with a longer barrel though.