why so short???

.50cal packer · January 23, 2013, 01:52 PM

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?

Scorch · January 23, 2013, 02:21 PM

Rifled barrels are made for deer hunters, who generally want a shorter, more maneuverable firearm than a shotgun with a 30" full choke barrel.

chewie146 · January 23, 2013, 02:49 PM

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.

.50cal packer · January 23, 2013, 02:59 PM

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...

BigD_in_FL · January 23, 2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Exactly. Turkey, deer, and varmint hunters generally need something "quick.

They want something that is about the same as their rifles, most of which have 22" barrels. these guns are aimed like a rifle, so rifle characteristics make more sense. target and upland guns are pointed and need to move in any direction, the longer barrels aid in the swing to target scenario

jmr40 · January 23, 2013, 10:04 PM

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.

**hogdogs** · January 24, 2013, 12:04 PM

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

twilly · January 24, 2013, 04:18 PM

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'.

chewie146 · January 24, 2013, 05:10 PM

Hey man, it wasn't a stupid question. It was seeking information on the unknown.

January 23, 2013, 01:52 PM	#1
.50cal packer Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Posts: 98	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?

January 23, 2013, 02:21 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 11,114	Rifled barrels are made for deer hunters, who generally want a shorter, more maneuverable firearm than a shotgun with a 30" full choke barrel. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services Taylor Machine

January 23, 2013, 02:59 PM	#4
.50cal packer Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Posts: 98	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 03:09 PM.

January 24, 2013, 12:04 PM	#7
hogdogs Staff Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 10,720	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 __________________ Finally have designs going up in the Hogdogs Outdoor Apparel online store. http://www.cafepress.com/hogdogsoutdoorapparel Thanks for lookin'...

January 24, 2013, 05:10 PM	#9
chewie146 Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 758	To the OP. Hey man, it wasn't a stupid question. It was seeking information on the unknown.

January 23, 2013, 02:49 PM	#3
chewie146 Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 758	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.

January 23, 2013, 10:04 PM	#6
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 4,578	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, 04:18 PM	#8
twilly Junior Member Join Date: October 30, 2012 Posts: 4	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'.