20" Barrel For Grouse/Rabbit Hunting?

jtduncan · September 6, 2000, 07:04 PM

Took the 28" vented barrel w/ my Rem 870 out hunting last weekend. Five flushes in about 2 hours and scored two grouse for my pot. Big smile.

But was wondering if at 10-20 yards whether a 20" smoothbore rifle sighted barrel may be better suited for long trips and faster swings in cover.

Here in Seattle, I'm told that lots of hunters use the 20" barrels for small game like grouse, and even turkey, and deer.

Do any of you use the short 20" barrels for samll game?

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The Seattle SharpShooter - TFL/GT/UGW/PCT/KTOG

BadMedicine · September 6, 2000, 07:37 PM

were you hunting the weyerhauser roads?

jtduncan · September 6, 2000, 07:41 PM

No I was hunting Hancock Timber property north of Duvall in Snohomish County.

But what do you think about the short barrel?

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The Seattle SharpShooter - TFL/GT/UGW/PCT/KTOG

Al Thompson · September 6, 2000, 08:10 PM

JT, it's actually a tough question. I have a terrible problem not watching the frontsight on a shotgun. For me, it would probably not work. You, sir, may be free from this problem.

I would take the 870 to a trap range and shoot one round with "shorty" and one with the "28.

Not sure what load you were using, but cheaper loads will usually give wider patterns. (more holes in the pattern too) I like patterning my shotguns - gives me a whole (parden the pun) different perspective on my loads/gun/choke.

Giz

September 6, 2000, 07:04 PM	#1
jtduncan Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 1999 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Posts: 1,686	Took the 28" vented barrel w/ my Rem 870 out hunting last weekend. Five flushes in about 2 hours and scored two grouse for my pot. Big smile. But was wondering if at 10-20 yards whether a 20" smoothbore rifle sighted barrel may be better suited for long trips and faster swings in cover. Here in Seattle, I'm told that lots of hunters use the 20" barrels for small game like grouse, and even turkey, and deer. Do any of you use the short 20" barrels for samll game? ------------------ *The Seattle SharpShooter* - TFL/GT/UGW/PCT/KTOG

September 6, 2000, 07:37 PM	#2
BadMedicine Junior member Join Date: July 7, 2000 Location: Anchorage Posts: 863	were you hunting the weyerhauser roads?

September 6, 2000, 07:41 PM	#3
jtduncan Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 1999 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Posts: 1,686	No I was hunting Hancock Timber property north of Duvall in Snohomish County. But what do you think about the short barrel? ------------------ *The Seattle SharpShooter* - TFL/GT/UGW/PCT/KTOG

September 6, 2000, 08:10 PM	#4
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	JT, it's actually a tough question. I have a terrible problem not watching the frontsight on a shotgun. For me, it would probably not work. You, sir, may be free from this problem. I would take the 870 to a trap range and shoot one round with "shorty" and one with the "28. Not sure what load you were using, but cheaper loads will usually give wider patterns. (more holes in the pattern too) I like patterning my shotguns - gives me a whole (parden the pun) different perspective on my loads/gun/choke. Giz