Perfect barrel length

A discussion about Turkey guns, rifles, black powder, handguns, chokes, cleaning, and accessories.
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aristico
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Perfect barrel length

Post by aristico »

What would you say is the perfect barrel length for a dedicated turkey gun?
Yule
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by Yule »

21" - 23" is what I like.
bushangler
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by bushangler »

18” some don’t like them that short but I haven’t found a downfall to them yet.


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Clydetaylor
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by Clydetaylor »

Yule wrote: June 5th, 2019, 1:15 pm 21" - 23" is what I like.
Going with this. I got a 26" I've used for years that works fine too. Shorter barrel is easier to carry through the woods.
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kythunter
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by kythunter »

26"
BrowningGuy88
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by BrowningGuy88 »

In a pump of auto, I prefer 21”-22”.

In a break action, I like 26”.
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Spuriosity
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by Spuriosity »

26" on repeaters and 28" on O/Us. Never had any trouble getting through the woods.
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howl
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by howl »

Any if it suits your preference for whatever reason. I prefer a 26"+ for steadier hold and softer report. And I'll unload a break-action to use as a walking stick when crossing obstacles.
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by Hoobilly »

21-22” is my preference on all turkey guns

Duck guns 24-26”
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el diablo
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by el diablo »

22"-24" turkey guns and 26"-28" on wingshooters.
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

I've used a 21" and a 23" for the most part. I like the shorter barrels for maneuvering, but only recall a few instances that it probably mattered on killing a turkey. They are definitely make it easier to walk through the woods while it's slung over a shoulder.

While being conscious of where you have the barrel pointed is always important for safety sake, I do think that you have to pay closer attention with a shorter barrel. It doesn't take much to have it pointed in an unsafe direction.
swampchicken
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by swampchicken »

22"-24"
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Hognutz
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by Hognutz »

24”
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highball
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by highball »

21"-24"
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guesswho
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by guesswho »

Never had an issue with any, but prefer around 24.
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Southern Sportsman
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by Southern Sportsman »

My only criteria is: when I’m carrying the gun with a sling over my shoulder, the barrel needs to be lower than my head. Otherwise when I walk under a limb, the barrel can catch the limb behind me which is really annoying. I’m 6’ 1” and usually 24-26” is sufficiently short.

On a wing shooting gun, I prefer 28”. Definitely nothing shorter than 26”. Few things piss me off more than having someone show up to duck hunt in a blind with a short barrel gun. And even worse, a short barrel gun with some fancy ported choke. It’s really inconsiderate for the ears and hearing of the guy hunting next to you.
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aristico
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by aristico »

I wont be using it for wing shooting it will be strictly a turkey gun.... It has a 28in barrel now thats way too long

Think im going to go 23.75 (-:
LAturkey
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by LAturkey »

I like a 21 for turkeys just easier to swing around and walk with. I remember reading on nitros website that the only thing you lose with a short barrel is velocity. It said you only loose 15 FPS for every inch under 26 and nothing is gained over 26 with modern powders and components
coconut
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by coconut »

28+
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poorcountrypreacher
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by poorcountrypreacher »

I like 24" on a sxs, and wouldn't mind a pump or auto being a few inches shorter. The shorter the barrel, the more the shot is going to damage your hearing, and I don't wear hearing protection when turkey hunting.
BumbleFoot
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by BumbleFoot »

coconut wrote: June 7th, 2019, 9:28 am28+
:wink: You wouldn’t be compensating for something, would you?
firedup
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by firedup »

I have always liked 22-24" but the last 2 dedicated 20ga turkey guns I put together I have gone shorter at 18". With modern chokes and ammo I am getting great patterns and killing birds no problem. And they are a so easy to carry and maneuver in the woods.
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crenshawco
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Re: Perfect barrel length

Post by crenshawco »

21-23
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