Barrel Length??

[MAKEemQUIVER]

Done alot of reading on here and from what I can tell barrel length doesnt matter a whole lot. Just wanting to make sure before I buy. I love hunting with a short gun but dont want to hurt performance, thanks for any advice.

[Eric Gregg]

I changed from a short barrel to a 28" barrel and it made a major change for the better for my guns pattern out to 40. Others with a shorter barrel are getting really good numbers, but I couldn't get them out of mine.

Good luck to you this season

[mossyoakpro]

I actually have a long and short....an 11-87 in 26" and an 870 in 21"

They both shoot very well so it can go either way.  Good luck in your choice!!!

[savduck]

Ive only owned one short barrel gun and It didnt pattern for crap. I shoot 28 inch guns and all of them have been shooters.

[gophert]

I think it all depends on what YOU feel is acceptable.  The 26" will definitely put up better "paper" numbers, but in the woods, is probably no more deadly than the 21" barrel out to an acceptable kill range.  Its all going to come down to what you feel comfortable with.  I shoot the 21" in my 20s just cause I like the to hunt with a light compact gun.  I ended up handloading my shells so I could get my numbers to what I like.  You should be able to easily get in the 130's with the 21" and maybe the 150's with the longer barrel.  Savduck may actually get higher numbers than that with the 28" pipe.  Good Luck!

[davisd9]

I like a 24" to 26" barrel.  My 11-87 has a 26".

[Sand Man]

I think it all depends on what YOU feel is acceptable.  The 26" will definitely put up better "paper" numbers, but in the woods, is probably no more deadly than the 21" barrel out to an acceptable kill range.  Its all going to come down to what you feel comfortable with.  I shoot the 21" in my 20s just cause I like the to hunt with a light compact gun.  I ended up handloading my shells so I could get my numbers to what I like.  You should be able to easily get in the 130's with the 21" and maybe the 150's with the longer barrel.  Savduck may actually get higher numbers than that with the 28" pipe.  Good Luck!

This.  I've built two 21" guns and had an extra barrel.  All 3 barrels patterned great.  I'm building two more for friends and expect the same results.  I'm hand loading TSS though.  I like the 21" barrel for weight and how easy it is to carry around in the woods.

[surehuntsalot]

have a 21" on the 870 youth and several birds have taken a long nap in front of it