Whats the difference

[MouthCaller]

What is the difference performance or some advantages or dis advantages of having either a 26'' barrel or a 28'' not only for turkey hunting but on a all around bird gun as in duck dove and turkey. If you only had a choice between the 2 lengths which would you choose and why...

[Onpoint]

I like the way a 28" barrel gun feels. But I would probably go with the 26" for a do  everything gun. A 28" barrel is a lot of barrel in the turkey woods, ecspecialy when you throw a turkey choke on the end. As for as performance the birds will never know the difference.

[jblackburn]

I like a shorter barrel for the turkey woods for mobility, but there is nothing wrong with a 28 inch one.  I actually have a 24 inch barrel on my 835 and it shoots great.  I swap it out for the factory 28 when I dove hunt.  My 870 has a full length barrel and extended choke and it shoots great. 

Really up to you

[mikejd]

I like a shorter barrel for the turkey woods for mobility, but there is nothing wrong with a 28 inch one.  I actually have a 24 inch barrel on my 835 and it shoots great.  I swap it out for the factory 28 when I dove hunt.  My 870 has a full length barrel and extended choke and it shoots great. 

Really up to you

Same here for me in the turkey woods I prefer the shortest possible. There is no doubt that for other uses a long barrel has its advantages. But considering I think part of the turkey fun is getting them under 40 I love a shortie and I see no performance issues at all.

[surehuntsalot]

I like the 26" barrel on my shotguns for everything

[troutfisher13111]

I currently have a 23" on my turkey gun. I haven't seen a loss of performance from my old 28". I think its more just personal preference.

[Skeeterbait]

Shooting barrel bead a longer barrel gives you a longer sight plane and has the potential of making you more accurate. In pass shooting doves or ducks a longer barrel can assist in helping you follow thru with your swing also.  Pattern wise or velocity wise there is not enough difference to matter.  In fact there have been some shells tested that actually gave slightly lower muzzel velocity out of a 28 than a 26.  Long barrels in the turkey woods can be a disadvantage if there is brush or saplings near your setup.

[mikejd]

With the performence of the chokes and shells out there I think its way more important to have the gun that feels the best in your hand.

[VaTuRkStOmPeR]

I think 26" barrels are the most versatile for non-specific hunting application.

My waterfowl gun has a 28" barrel.  I prefer it for that application because it swings like a natural extension of my body.

My primary turkey guns were 24" and 26" before aftermarket chokes were installed.  Generally speaking, I've seen longer barreled guns pattern better but not significantly enough to justify the inconvenience and restricted mobility of a 28 or 30" pipe.

[Tail Feathers]

For one gun, I'd go 26".  Add extended tubes for waterfowling and turkey and it gets plenty long in a hurry.

[DirtNap647]

i love y 835 with a 26" barrel