Barrel Length for Skeet??

T-Bear · June 11, 2006, 12:24 AM

I currently own a 870 Express 12g with a 18" barrel for HD. But I like to shoot skeet at least 1-2 times a month for the past 6 months and the 18 is cutting it but I want a longer barrel. My purchase will most likely be on a auction site.
Should I op for the 20,22, or the 28" barrel? This is for pure enjoyment. I know that a longer barrel with add some weight to the front end for faster shots. Usually 2,3, 4 clays at a time by the time I reach my 4th clay it's long gone. I'm leaning towards a 23" barrel. But not sure.
Would you please help me out on the major differences in these barrel lengths. As far as chokes, I know there purpose and will be doing some testing when i decide on what barrel length.
Thanks in advance for any replies.

auto45 · June 11, 2006, 06:25 AM

26" or 28" bbl with a skeet choke or a choke tube bbl with a skeet choke.

Barrels that are "too short", under 26" by most standards or too light are more difficult to maintain a good "swing" in clay target games.

As you shoot more, you will find that the longer barrels will give you a smoother and better swing. With practice and some instruction, you will be able to hit the doubles in no time. Your "body" can move much faster than the clay target, so if your not catching up with the target, it will be your practice and "technique", not the barrel length, that will break the target.

Good luck.

Ruger4570 · June 11, 2006, 09:29 AM

For many years the 26" was considered the length for skeet. Lately 28" and 30" barrels have become the norm. Any length will work,but you will tend to be a little smoother with the longer lengths.

9mmMike · June 11, 2006, 06:31 PM

All the fixed-choke barrels here at Casa del 9mm that are marked "skeet" are 26"ers. The fixed-choke "mod" barrels are 28" and as long as we're talking about it (well I am at least!), the fixed-choke "full" barrels are all 30". These are older barrels made "back in the day".
Mike

niceman_44 · June 11, 2006, 06:46 PM

You probably want to go with a 26 or 28 inch barrel......however, I have no problem hitting skeet with my Remington 1100 Competition Master which has a 22 inch barrel. :-)

wacki · June 11, 2006, 08:22 PM

I use 30"

32" sucks and I've never tried anything shorter.

SD_Chop · June 11, 2006, 08:36 PM

I have used my remington 870MM with 18" and 3"magnum gold turkey round and they would turn that skeet into dust. But typically i use a 26" with adj. choke

mathman · June 11, 2006, 10:44 PM

Go with the 26". You won't be sorry. I am a big fan of shorter barrels, but have noticed that I shoot better with a longer barrel.

T-Bear · June 12, 2006, 11:34 AM

Thank you for all your replys and the wealth of information. I;'ll be in the market for a 26" or 28" barrel with choke.
These will serve me for the time being.

Thanks again

maas · June 12, 2006, 01:04 PM

id say a 26". i only go out for fun so i just use my 30" with a 1" extra full turkey choke. i know its not ideal but its what im used to shooting so its what im the best with.

Ruger4570 · June 12, 2006, 10:38 PM

I use a 4 barrel set Browning with 26" barrels,, with things today, for resale value, I would get the 28". The 26" has been the standard for years, but the 28" seems to be the length of choice,, even 30" lately

June 11, 2006, 12:24 AM	#1
T-Bear Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 119	Barrel Length for Skeet?? I currently own a 870 Express 12g with a 18" barrel for HD. But I like to shoot skeet at least 1-2 times a month for the past 6 months and the 18 is cutting it but I want a longer barrel. My purchase will most likely be on a auction site. Should I op for the 20,22, or the 28" barrel? This is for pure enjoyment. I know that a longer barrel with add some weight to the front end for faster shots. Usually 2,3, 4 clays at a time by the time I reach my 4th clay it's long gone. I'm leaning towards a 23" barrel. But not sure. Would you please help me out on the major differences in these barrel lengths. As far as chokes, I know there purpose and will be doing some testing when i decide on what barrel length. Thanks in advance for any replies.

June 11, 2006, 06:31 PM	#4
9mmMike Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: SE PA Posts: 1,049	All the fixed-choke barrels here at Casa del 9mm that are marked "skeet" are 26"ers. The fixed-choke "mod" barrels are 28" and as long as we're talking about it (well I am at least!), the fixed-choke "full" barrels are all 30". These are older barrels made "back in the day". Mike __________________ "Freedom is not free" Visit TheRallyPoint.org TheRallyPoint at LRGC- Saturday August 26th IF YOU LIVE IN PA AND DID NOT VOTE, YOU DESERVE TO LOSE YOUR GUNS!

June 11, 2006, 06:46 PM	#5
niceman_44 Junior Member Join Date: June 11, 2006 Posts: 11	Skeet Shooting You probably want to go with a 26 or 28 inch barrel......however, I have no problem hitting skeet with my Remington 1100 Competition Master which has a 22 inch barrel. :-)

June 11, 2006, 08:36 PM	#7
SD_Chop Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2006 Location: Va, USA Posts: 474	I have used my remington 870MM with 18" and 3"magnum gold turkey round and they would turn that skeet into dust. But typically i use a 26" with adj. choke __________________ Liberty or Death...

June 11, 2006, 10:44 PM	#8
mathman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,531	Go with the 26". You won't be sorry. I am a big fan of shorter barrels, but have noticed that I shoot better with a longer barrel. __________________ Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak.

June 11, 2006, 06:25 AM	#2
auto45 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2002 Posts: 427	26" or 28" bbl with a skeet choke or a choke tube bbl with a skeet choke. Barrels that are "too short", under 26" by most standards or too light are more difficult to maintain a good "swing" in clay target games. As you shoot more, you will find that the longer barrels will give you a smoother and better swing. With practice and some instruction, you will be able to hit the doubles in no time. Your "body" can move much faster than the clay target, so if your not catching up with the target, it will be your practice and "technique", not the barrel length, that will break the target. Good luck.

June 11, 2006, 09:29 AM	#3
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	For many years the 26" was considered the length for skeet. Lately 28" and 30" barrels have become the norm. Any length will work,but you will tend to be a little smoother with the longer lengths.

June 11, 2006, 08:22 PM	#6
wacki Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2004 Location: Moving out of Indiana Posts: 426	I use 30" 32" sucks and I've never tried anything shorter.

June 12, 2006, 11:34 AM	#9
T-Bear Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 119	Thank you for all your replys and the wealth of information. I;'ll be in the market for a 26" or 28" barrel with choke. These will serve me for the time being. Thanks again

June 12, 2006, 01:04 PM	#10
maas Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2005 Location: The state of Jefferson Posts: 897	id say a 26". i only go out for fun so i just use my 30" with a 1" extra full turkey choke. i know its not ideal but its what im used to shooting so its what im the best with. __________________ I don't try to offend....some times i get lucky! There's always one thing that makes Republicans look good on election day...........Democrats!

June 12, 2006, 10:38 PM	#11
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	I use a 4 barrel set Browning with 26" barrels,, with things today, for resale value, I would get the 28". The 26" has been the standard for years, but the 28" seems to be the length of choice,, even 30" lately

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