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Turkey Guns & Shooting => Turkey Guns => Topic started by: 6shot on February 16, 2018, 05:26:36 PM

Title: 870 Barrel Length ?
Post by: 6shot on February 16, 2018, 05:26:36 PM
My 870 12 gauge has a 26 inch barrel and it patterns really good with 3" Longbeard #6 . I am considering having it cut down to maybe 22" and re-threaded for Remchoke . Would this make any difference in my pattern if I used my same choke tube ?
Title: Re: 870 Barrel Length ?
Post by: dirt road ninja on February 16, 2018, 06:55:28 PM
Probably, but not much.
Title: Re: 870 Barrel Length ?
Post by: Greg Massey on February 16, 2018, 07:50:27 PM
No enough i don't think for what it will cost to have it cut down....
Title: Re: 870 Barrel Length ?
Post by: 6shot on February 16, 2018, 08:07:05 PM
I guess my question should be will it have a negative affect on my guns pattern ?
Title: Re: 870 Barrel Length ?
Post by: CrustyRusty on February 17, 2018, 08:17:06 AM
It may...is buying another barrel an option?
Title: Re: 870 Barrel Length ?
Post by: Gobspur on February 17, 2018, 09:26:16 AM
Might see if you can locate shorter barrel, prolly same price or little more than having cut and rethreaded.
Title: Re: 870 Barrel Length ?
Post by: Double B on February 17, 2018, 02:02:02 PM
Stick w the factory 26" barrel that shots well imo. You know what you have now and will lose some velocity.  Pattern will change too and may not be as good. Watch for used barrels.
Title: Re: 870 Barrel Length ?
Post by: nyhunter on February 17, 2018, 03:08:06 PM
not sure it's worth ruining a good patterning barrel for 4 inches.   I'd look for a 21" barrel and keep the 26"
Title: Re: 870 Barrel Length ?
Post by: Gobble! on February 17, 2018, 10:31:27 PM
Quote from: nyhunter on February 17, 2018, 03:08:06 PM
not sure it's worth ruining a good patterning barrel for 4 inches.   I'd look for a 21" barrel and keep the 26"

That's what she said.
Title: Re: 870 Barrel Length ?
Post by: Izzyjoe on February 19, 2018, 07:42:40 PM
Call me crazy, but I think 26" is perfect for any shotgun. Back in my younger days I didn't think nothing about running around in the think stuff with a 30", but that's all I had too!
Title: Re: 870 Barrel Length ?
Post by: TJK68 on February 19, 2018, 08:38:28 PM
Two of my guns have 26" barrels and I love them. Keep it like it is and kill some Turkey's....
Title: Re: 870 Barrel Length ?
Post by: Boilermaker on February 19, 2018, 09:37:07 PM
870 barrels are relatively affordable.  I would seek a shorter barrel for the gun if you were looking for a more agile gun in the woods.  I agree with others, the performance would be marginal at best if you were to cut down the 26" barrel.  I own a 21" barrel 870 and a 26" barrel Benelli.  I really don't notice much of a difference in handling other than the 870 is easy to carry through brush and thick forest with its shorter profile.

A 26" barrel is pretty universal for most purposes.  It's not too short that you couldn't take it out and shoot doves or clays with it and it would still purpose well as a turkey gun.  If your gun patterns well now, I would leave it be!  Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.