Any opinions (lol) on a 23in vs 26in barrel??

[turkey buster]

I've been hunting with a Remington 870sm with a 26in barrel and recently bought a new A5 with a 28in barrel. I'm now looking at an 870sm with a 23in barrel, it is the gun with a shutshot stock and rifled sights dedicated for turkey hunting.  Looking for info on if the 23in gun is worth buying to use over my 26in gun. The A5 will be used some but was purchased for mainly ducks, squirrel, dove, rabbiit, etc

[knightrider]

you will not notice an ounce of difference between them as long as their both set up correctly

[turkey buster]

How reliable/durable are the rifled sight that come on the gun? And does the shurshot have a noticeable recoil reduction? I'm shooting 3.5in shells

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

you will not notice an ounce of difference between them as long as their both set up correctly

That's about the truth. 

I myself like a longer barrel and prefer a 28" over any other.  But a 23" and 26" will still shoot mighty fine.  I used to have a 21" barrel 870.  I later traded for a 28" that shoots better.  But the 21" barrel still killed turkeys and shot pretty dang well.  I also had a 26" barrel on a Browning Gold 3.5" semi I used to own.  And I agree with Clark on here that the 26" barrel is probably the best of both worlds. 

[gophert]

23" Barrel with JH .660 and Hevi 3 1/2 #7's



26" Barrell with JH .660 and Hevi 3 1/2 #7's



Hope this helps. 

[turkey buster]

Both are nice patterns!! Now to the next question.. Recoil reduction of the shurshot? And durability of the sights?

[paboxcall]

I agree too with Clark, that 26" is best of both worlds.  But my preference for a "dedicated turkey gun" is the inherent maneuverability of a short barrel.  I will take a 21" barrel over anything longer because its easier to maneuver the gun when sitting down against a tree to hunt turkeys.

If I'm shooting pheasants, dove, ducks, sporting clays, trap, etc., then I prefer the longer barrel - my Ithaca 37 is well balanced, and points easily and handles upland shooting tasks very well. 

But bottom line for me, and my  is today's turkey choke technology, compounded by today's high velocity turkey load technology, essentially erases any discernible patterning difference the longer barrel provides over a barrel a few inches shorter.  But those few inches may make the difference between a quick set up on a turkey being successful or problematic.

[WildSpur]

I have the same gun and love it!  To me the stick helps with recoil and definitely helps on aiming steady.  The sights are of good quality too but I prefer a red dot.   That with a Jellyhead 660 is a good combination!

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[turkey buster]

I have the same gun and love it!  To me the stick helps with recoil and definitely helps on aiming steady.  The sights are of good quality too but I prefer a red dot.   That with a Jellyhead 660 is a good combination!

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Thanks! I'm thinking of a reflex style sight, Burris or Mueller, will the rifle sights be in the way on its field of view ? I'll have the rifle sights zeroed incase of a optic malfunction and I can remove it mid hunt

[WildSpur]

I can see the front sight from what I recall.  I know I can't see the rear sight.   I do have the picatinny mount so I image if you go the 336 route that sits lower both could be in view.

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[ads1]

I shoot the Super Mag 23 inch 870 with a Jelly Head choke  topped with a Burris FF3. It shoots a very good pattern. I don't see the front sight through the FF3. The FF3 is mounted on one base of a two base Redfield set.

[Hooksnhorns]

Sure shot stock does help w/ recoil. 23" vs 26"- whichever you like the best. 26 may or may not help w/ patterns. JMO.