January 23, 2013, 12:52 PM | #1 |
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why so short???
Why is it, that rifled barrels for shotguns are so much shorter than average barrel length of most shotguns? 26"-28". Is the rate of twist a deciding factor?
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January 23, 2013, 01:21 PM | #2 |
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Rifled barrels are made for deer hunters, who generally want a shorter, more maneuverable firearm than a shotgun with a 30" full choke barrel.
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January 23, 2013, 01:49 PM | #3 |
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Exactly. Turkey, deer, and varmint hunters generally need something "quick." People who hunt certain birds like the swing characteristics of the 28 and 30 inch barrels. Personally, I hunt everything with 18-22" barrels. Those long barrels bother me. I'm no expert wingshooter, though. Plus, I think a duck is just a liver with wings, and I don't like liver. Most of my shots are under 30 yards.
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January 23, 2013, 01:59 PM | #4 |
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I'm aware of the purpose for their use. But thank you for bringing that up. Maneuverability, I could see working well, with the shorter barrel. Although duck blinds, I've been in, were pretty tight as well. Yet the standard for that is a 28", and yes I realize that it's a choked barrel in use there. I didn't know if there were ballistics involve with this or not. If maneuverability is the main reason for them, then this was a stupid question, and apologize for the thread...
Last edited by .50cal packer; January 23, 2013 at 02:09 PM. |
January 23, 2013, 02:09 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
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January 23, 2013, 09:04 PM | #6 |
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When shooting at moving game such as ducks the longer barrel effects balance. You can swing the gun smoother and the longer sightig plane helps get on target. You point a shotgun when shooting birds, or clay's
When hunting deer or turkey you are aiming your shotgun like a rifle. The added barrel lenght is simply not needed for this. |
January 24, 2013, 11:04 AM | #7 |
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Not only is the length not needed but the added weight way out on the end makes the offhand aiming a much tougher exercise... I shoot slugs from both a mossberg 500 20gauge and an old side by side stevens gun...
Both are short barrels with the 500 having 18 inch and the stevens having a 20 IIRC... The balance in the hands while the gun is in mount is great for longer term holds on target like when waiting to convert a "Texas Heart Shot" into a boiler room shot... Brent |
January 24, 2013, 03:18 PM | #8 |
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The best producing partridge gun that I ever used was/is an old Stevens sxs with 19 inch barrels....especially early in the seaton when there are still a lot of leaves on the trees and your shots are usually close in. I cheated a little by loading the barrel with a smaller shot and the second larger for greater 'reach'.
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January 24, 2013, 04:10 PM | #9 |
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To the OP.
Hey man, it wasn't a stupid question. It was seeking information on the unknown.
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