Has anyone hunted with on of these short barreled turkey guns and found them to handle and shoot better then the longer barreled guns.
With today's choke tube designs, heavier than lead loads (especially TSS) and high velocities, barrel length is a non-issue. Comes down to personal preference, but the above advances even make 10 and 12 gauge loads unnecessary.
A shorter barrel will carry and handle better when set up in the woods. I prefer a barrel 22" or less, though I have a single shot with a 24" barrel and find the extra length isn't necessary. I carry a 20 gauge with a 22" barrel and shoot 2.75" hand-loaded TSS these days that patterns as well or better than my 12 gauges.
ABSOLUTELY. thats all my son and I use nowadays
I have a 23 inch on my 20ga, I prefer longer, is actually awkward too me carrying that stubby thing, never seen an issue with a 26 which I would prefer.
Got a good buy on my 20 so that's why it's a shorty.
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I really enjoyed my short barrel .20 ga this year. I wouldn't say it's shoots better than a longer barrel but it shoots plenty good to knock a turkey in the dirt. Definitely is nicer for carrying through the woods, truck backseat, and hopefully for my kids in a few more years.
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Not for me. I used one a couple years. It was very loud and I never found it so much handier. I went back to full grown guns. A 28" barrel with a standard velocity load works as well as anything and is easy on the ears.
One point on this, though, is that I don't carry the gun on a sling until after I shoot the bird. It's a throwback to hunting deer and rabbits with a shotgun. You will miss opportunities if your gun is slung over your shoulder.
I have three 21 in remington autos and my son has an 870 they dont shoot quite as good as my old long barrel 1100 but they all shoot well no comparison in the woods though shorter barrel handles and carries so much better esp20 ga and like above post says with the loads available today 20 ga is no disadvantage
Im another one doesn't buy into shorter barrels or shorter guns. A gun must fit you, a real short barreled gun is apt to be whippier, harder to aim. They both have pros n cons I guess but I use a full sized though not oversized gun
Interesting the differences of opinions on this. None are wrong. I`ve hunted with 28" gun ( Remington V3 ), no sling. My dedicated turkey gun is an 870 Super Mag, 23" with a sling. While it`s heavier ( thing`s a tank!), I really prefer my 870 for turkeys. Usually carrying a decoy bag on my back and a turkey chair on a sling cross wise. The sling on the gun lets me maneuver hands free. I like the shorter barrel personally.
Anybody that likes to set up and hunt, look into the Knight and Hale Universal Hands Free System. It is great!
I like the shorter barrel guns. Seems like i get tangled up less walking in woods with it on a sling. I also prefer the shorter barrel when hunting in a blind with my son for maneuverability.
Short barrel guns all the way ... nothing better in my opinion .... but if you want to carry a log of a barrel of a gun , that's up to you....
Carried a 22" barrel since the late 80s and seen 100+ birds fall to it. Seen barrel's from 30" to 18" kill birds just the same. Length of barrel is a personal preference in my opinion. They all kill the same if you put the pattern on its neck.
Nope...longer barrels tend to pattern better...
But I'm sure most shotguns can kill a turkey...
I have hunted with barrel lenghths from 36" to 21" for a dedicated turkey gun barrel length of 23"-24" seems to be the best fit for me.
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I hunted with a 21" barrel for prob 27 years, 11-87 spst. Love that gun, which as been retired because of TSS and the 20ga.
My dedicated turkey guns have 21" barrels, shur-shot stocks and red dots. They are great for turkey shooting.
All others have 26-28" barrels and bead sights, I used 2 of these type this year. they work fine too, they also shoot doves , pheasants and clays.
Handling wise i haven't really a preference other than a 28" Auto or pump 12 becomes a little unwieldy for me.
Never had any problem with a 21" patterning well. Look at some of the posts of the 21" 20 gauge 870, some great patterns posted on here.
Quote from: mudhen on June 02, 2019, 02:35:27 AM
Nope...longer barrels tend to pattern better...
But I'm sure most shotguns can kill a turkey...
Agreed. In my experience, longer barrels seem to pattern tighter and more consistent over a wider variety of chokes and choke constrictions. I can usually get tight and uniform patterns out of shorter barreled guns, but they tend — not always— to require more tinkering.
Once I find the right combo, I vastly prefer a short barreled shotgun (with a short LOP too) for turkey hunting. Couldn't hit bull in the azz with them if the bull was flying. But fine for aiming at still or slow moving targets (I top mine with a reflex sight). Way easier for me to carry and aim in the woods. I'll occasionally still hunt with a 28" barrel but feel like I have to back up to point it and duck under every limb when walking through woods.
M2 mr. Benelli 20ga. 24" never ventured elsewhere
I have guns with barrels ranging from 18" to 28" and as others have said the longer barrels are easier to get the best patterns out of. However my favorite guns and the only ones I carry are the 18" and 21". Once you find the choke and shell pattern that works best they pattern as well as my longer barrel guns.
I have a 21" BPS Upland and a 24" SBE that have killed hundreds of turkeys... they work just fine if that is what you like.
I use a 21" .410 barrel on my Contender. Super light and works great!
No way I will ever hunt with another gun that sticks up over my head.
Everyone knows a Mossy ain't even got the kick that a solid hickory limb yanking on a choke tube. :TooFunny:
Me personally I like the shorter barrels it just make it easier to get around the woods with especially if you hunt out of ground blinds.
For a dedicated, aimed fire turkey gun - it's hard to beat the compact capabilities of the 20 gauge with a good choke & ammo combo. I really like the maneuverability of the 21" (22 w/ choke), and it's easy to point / aim with a sight. 100% confidence for any ethical range.
It would make the world's worst dove gun.
(http://a67.tinypic.com/ezyb9.jpg)
I spoke to a gunsmith who claims with the newer hotter burning powder, advanced shells and advanced chokes that you can get a 21 inch barrel to pattern as good as a longer barrel. He said something about the newer powder is able to achieve full velocity at something like 18 inches.
Short barrel for me. Longer barrel gives me no advantage when I have a scope and tss!
If you inventoried my turkey guns, you'd say I prefer 18.5" - 22" barrels and for the most part you'd be right. I prefer to not snag on every bush I walk by. However, the last two I bought have 26" barrels.
I used a 28" barrel on my 870 for a couple years but had it cut down to 23". Absolutely love it. In the process of setting up a 21" 870 20 gauge now.
My gun is a 1300 Winchester 12 gauge. I love it, it's light and easy to maneuver.
I have always been a fan of the short barrel guns, always have and always will be. This year I purchased a Benelli M2 12 gauge with a 21" barrel and I will never look back. This is the ultimate turkey gun and I feel like it is not advertised at all!
Vic Coffman Black River Precision LLC. Is well worth the look. Pure death on turkeys. He has a FB page.