barrel length vs velocity chart

[maytom]

If you read down at the bottom, it specifies that most shell companies list their velocities from a 30" barrel length. Was interesting to see what a shorter barrel puts out.

 

[philoshop]

I don't work with shotguns, but there is a huge difference when it comes to rifle calibers in a handgun-length barrel.

[dbHunterNY]

I don't use the shorter barrels that are out there.  I think mine is 26 or 28".  I use a more open and longer transition PureGold choke with hevi-shot.  the barrel isn't cryo'd but I polish it before, periodically during, and after testing some patterns.  Benelli barrels are a bit tighter than others.  I feel like I get higher velocity and a harder hitting load, but it's a bit finicky with patterning unlike say an invector+ system.

[Lawdwaz]

I'm using a 26" barrel on my present (and hopefully last) turkey gun.  As a matter of fact, my previous gun was also 26".  Those two guns go back 30 years now.......before that it was probably 28".

 

Never have I said, "dang, I wish I had another 100fps". 

 

 

If a gobbler gets away it's usually my fault...........

[Pygmy]

100 fps don't mean s**t in a shot load...Probably 200 fps doesn't mean much either...

Anything from around 1000 fps UP is fine, and the load that gives the densest, most evenly dispersed pattern is the best.

My 21 " bbl on my 11-87 kills them just as well as the 30" bbl on my Browning A-5 3" mag did, and it's a lot easier to haul around the woods.

Edited March 8, 2016 by Pygmy

[ATbuckhunter]

I think the barrel on my turkey gun is either 22" or 24" but that only cause the gun came with it. I think the gain in maneuverability out weighs the loss of a hundred fps or so. 

[dbHunterNY]

if I were to bet money.... I'd say a vast majority of hunters use a general purpose shotgun with a field barrel and aftermarket turkey choke.  that's probably more the reason many most likely have a 26" barrel.  probably don't have it specifically for increase in velocity.

[DirtTime]

if I were to bet money.... I'd say a vast majority of hunters use a general purpose shotgun with a field barrel and aftermarket turkey choke.  that's probably more the reason many most likely have a 26" barrel.  probably don't have it specifically for increase in velocity.

That about sums me up. I just used the 28" field barrel with a different choke. The one exception was a Mossy 500 I bought used, that had a 24" barrel on it. I could never really tell the difference in patterning from one to the other. Ammo yes, barrel no.

[LET EM GROW]

I have the Moss berg 535 w/ 22" stock barrel w/ factory xxturkey choke. I shoot winchester 3.5" #4.. on paper it will pattern 6-8 pellets in the head and neck of a bird @65 yards... everytime..

I've killed every bird I've shot at with it out to 60 yards... it's a nasty gun, including the kick lol

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[wildcat junkie]

Longer barrels shooting (significantly) harder/faster is a throw back from black powder days.

[chas0218]

I have a 29" barrel if you include the extended choke. I have never patterned my 870 20 ga. but it seems to kill birds pretty good.

 

My buddy is a big time turkey hunter, he went out and bought some mossberg turkey gun supposedly really expensive magnum gun with a special fitted choke the whole 9 yards. He has had birds that he has knocked right over they get up shake it off and get out of dodge. I have a 12ga. pardner pump I bought for $129.00 and that does a nice job with a 29" barrel never had that happen to me. I have even dropped a few geese this year with this gun and am pleasantly surprised how well it does and I could care less if it gets knocked around dinged whatever. He treats that thing like his first born, when I buy a gun I buy it to use it. Now don't get me wrong I don't abuse them but if they get a ding or something I'm not going to cry about it. 

 

Is there really any benefit to buying one of those turkey guns? I mean my pardner pump is light and maneuvers great in the woods and the blind. I know my buddy's gun has a short barrel could my longer barrel be making that much of a difference?

[Pygmy]

....No....Sounds like an operator problem to me....

If he is hitting birds and knocking them over and they get away, he is hitting them in the body, not the vital head/neck area.. PERIOD..

Edited March 9, 2016 by Pygmy

[LET EM GROW]

Or he's shooting 6 shot or lighter possibly?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[Pygmy]

Nope....#6 shot applied to the HEAD AND NECK  in sufficient density  kills gobblers just fine at 50 yards or perhaps a bit farther...I have seen my buddy in Ontario kill too many long range gobblers with his Mossy 835 and # 6 shot to think otherwise.  I used #4 shot for many years, but the last few years I have switched to #6 shot  mostly based on his success with that shot size.. I still don't shoot much over 40 yards myself...Of course I just use a sissified  11-87 with a 3" chamber, rather than a real MAN's gun like one of those ass kicking 3.5 " monstrosities.

[DirtTime]

I was always a #4 shot myself for birds. Everything else was #6.

After a few people on here said they use #6 for just about everything, that's all I have bought again, and in 2 3/4". Except the Rio's, but that was to test non toxic shot that wasn't steel.

 

[wildcat junkie]

 I still don't shoot much over 40 yards myself...Of course I just use a sissified  11-87 with a 3" chamber, rather than a real MAN's gun like one of those retina detaching 3.5 " monstrosities.

There, I fixed that for ya.