Barrel length and patterns?

[bowmike]

I am upgrading my 870 to be a turkey gun. I am noticing on otherhere and other forums that many guys are sporting shorter barrels on their guns. Will this create a tighter pattern or something along those lines, or is this for manuverability?

Right now it has the 28" field barrel. I am contemplating saving up and getting a shorter barrel for this gun, pending on what input i receive here.

Thanks

[kwild835]

Shorter barrels only advantage is maneuverability.  That isn't saying you can't get good patterns or great hunting patterns with short barrels. Today's ammo and choke choices are allowing guys to get great performance from short barrels.  Probably why you are noticing more guys going that route.   

[davisd9]

Personally I would not have a problem with a 28" barrel.  They usually pattern better and the velocity of the shot stays higher upon impact.  I can think of a handful of situations where the longer barrel may have been an issue but no a big one that would have stopped the harvest.  I hunt with a 24" barrel on my 835 and that is as short as I would want to go.  In my opinion the 26" is the best of both worlds.  Good luck!

[bowmike]

Thanks guys. i will stick with what I have and spend the money on finding the best patterning load and choke combo. Just wanted to be sure that the only downfall was manuverability. I can deal with it. The only issues that are minor anyway arise when walking through thicker stuff.

[allaboutshooting]

Thanks guys. i will stick with what I have and spend the money on finding the best patterning load and choke combo. Just wanted to be sure that the only downfall was manuverability. I can deal with it. The only issues that are minor anyway arise when walking through thicker stuff.

You received excellent advice and in my experience, you made a a great choice.

Best of luck to you in the coming seasons.

Thanks,
Clark

P.S. I would recommend that you "deep clean" your barrel to maximize its potential.

[mikejd]

With all the incredible chokes and ammo out there now its all a matter of confort and choice. My 18" barel easily puts in the 200'sin a 10" so Its all about comfort.

[BandedSpur]

With all the incredible chokes and ammo out there now its all a matter of confort and choice. My 18" barel easily puts in the 200'sin a 10" so Its all about comfort.

With what....6s, 7s, MBs?

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

I love 28" barrels. 

[mikejd]

With all the incredible chokes and ammo out there now its all a matter of confort and choice. My 18" barel easily puts in the 200'sin a 10" so Its all about comfort.

With what....6s, 7s, MBs?

, 6's or 7's with a 3" shell they all break the 200 mark.7's obviosly put more hits then the 6's but I prefer 6's. Thats with a winchester1300 short (18" barrel)and a deep cleaned barrel. Going to polish her up and see what I can do.

That said. With my other 1300 with a 22" barrel I put 260's in a 10" with #7's.
So obviosly the longer barrel will perform better. But how dead Is dead.
I opt for the shorter lighter more manuverable barels.

[BandedSpur]

With all the incredible chokes and ammo out there now its all a matter of confort and choice. My 18" barel easily puts in the 200'sin a 10" so Its all about comfort.

With what....6s, 7s, MBs?

, 6's or 7's with a 3" shell they all break the 200 mark.7's obviosly put more hits then the 6's but I prefer 6's. Thats with a winchester1300 short (18" barrel)and a deep cleaned barrel. Going to polish her up and see what I can do.

That said. With my other 1300 with a 22" barrel I put 260's in a 10" with #7's.
So obviosly the longer barrel will perform better. But how dead Is dead.
I opt for the shorter lighter more manuverable barels.

That is impressive, getting over 200 with 3" 6s from that short barrel. Congrats.

[mikejd]

With all the incredible chokes and ammo out there now its all a matter of confort and choice. My 18" barel easily puts in the 200'sin a 10" so Its all about comfort.

With what....6s, 7s, MBs?

, 6's or 7's with a 3" shell they all break the 200 mark.7's obviosly put more hits then the 6's but I prefer 6's. Thats with a winchester1300 short (18" barrel)and a deep cleaned barrel. Going to polish her up and see what I can do.

That said. With my other 1300 with a 22" barrel I put 260's in a 10" with #7's.
So obviosly the longer barrel will perform better. But how dead Is dead.
I opt for the shorter lighter more manuverable barels.

That is impressive, getting over 200 with 3" 6s from that short barrel. Congrats.

Thanks, it is a nice shooting gun.

[natman]

Long vs short barrel:

Velocity: You'll lose about 50-75 fps going from a 28" to a 20". Not really enough to worry about.
Patterns: Pattern is primarily dependent on choke. If there is any difference, again not enough to worry about.
Noise: A 20" barrel is 5 - 6 db louder than a 28". This is enough to be perceived as much louder if you're not wearing hearing protection. If you are (and you should), no problem.
I don't like to carry a 28" barrel shotgun around in the woods for the same reasons I don't like to carry a 28" long barreled rifle in the woods. You can carry a 20" slung on your shoulder with the barrel lower than your head. It's just easier to deal with and handier to carry.

I started with a 28" barreled Mossberg 500. After a few years with it I got a 20" barrel and I'm not going back.

[mikejd]

Long vs short barrel:

Velocity: You'll lose about 50-75 fps going from a 28" to a 20". Not really enough to worry about.
Patterns: Pattern is primarily dependent on choke. If there is any difference, again not enough to worry about.
Noise: A 20" barrel is 5 - 6 db louder than a 28". This is enough to be perceived as much louder if you're not wearing hearing protection. If you are (and you should), no problem.
I don't like to carry a 28" barrel shotgun around in the woods for the same reasons I don't like to carry a 28" long barreled rifle in the woods. You can carry a 20" slung on your shoulder with the barrel lower than your head. It's just easier to deal with and handier to carry.

I started with a 28" barreled Mossberg 500. After a few years with it I got a 20" barrel and I'm not going back.

I'm with you. And my 18" is a loud SOB.

[DirtNap647]

I like a 26" barrel

[ShotGunSniper]

Long vs short barrel:

Velocity: You'll lose about 50-75 fps going from a 28" to a 20". Not really enough to worry about.
Patterns: Pattern is primarily dependent on choke. If there is any difference, again not enough to worry about.
Noise: A 20" barrel is 5 - 6 db louder than a 28". This is enough to be perceived as much louder if you're not wearing hearing protection. If you are (and you should), no problem.
I don't like to carry a 28" barrel shotgun around in the woods for the same reasons I don't like to carry a 28" long barreled rifle in the woods. You can carry a 20" slung on your shoulder with the barrel lower than your head. It's just easier to deal with and handier to carry.

I started with a 28" barreled Mossberg 500. After a few years with it I got a 20" barrel and I'm not going back.

Agreed but I started out with a 28" barreled Mossberg 835. Felt like a duck hunter then a turkey hunter..lol. Found out that with that 28" barrel, felt abit unbalanced. And they suck when you run and gun, imo. I knocked that 28" barrel on everything. Yeah that makes too much noise in the woods. Now that I know longer have that gun. I yet have to try my new Mossberg 835 with a 24" barrel. Has alot more balance for me. Now I cant wait to hit the woods and fields with this new set-up.