Barrel Length Opinions

[hunter177]

I'm sure this has been asked before but I have a Benelli Nova, matte finish & black synthetic stock. It has a 26" barrel. I'll be using it mainly for turkey, waterfowl, and bird hunting. I don't have the cash for multiple guns. What is everyone's opinions on the 26" as an all-purpose barrel length? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[Longshanks]

26" bbl is great for everything. Also patterns the best out of a number of guns.  I turkey hunt with 21"-24" out of preference but these short barrel guns required a great deal of patterning different shell/ choke combinations to find what works. 26" seems to be a little less finicky and you are also ready for wing shooting,etc without changing guns or barrels. Good Luck!

[trackerbucky]

I've used a 26" barrel BPS for the past 8 years for everything from turkeys to ducks and for the 15 years before that I used a Mossberg 835 with a 26" barrel.  I've never felt that the barrel length was a liability in any way.

I can't speak to the patterning issue since I never owned a shotgun with a shorter barrel, but I have seen more than a few people on here say that the shorter barrels are more finicky to get to pattern properly.

[TJK68]

I love the 26" barrels. Great all around length.

[CrustyRusty]

Perfect compromise, not too long or short.

[DirtNap647]

I like 26"

[R AJ]

I have them from 18.5-28" for all around length the 26" gets my vote.

[Tom Foolery]

I've used them from 19" - 28" my favorite is an 18" barrel.   


Anything over a 21" barrel feels like I'm carrying a telephone pole through the woods.


26" barrels do pattern good though.

[Snoodsniper]

I like short barrels for turkey hunting. I have a 21 and 26 for both of my turkey guns. If I could only have one it would be the 26 its much more versatile.

[WildTigerTrout]

IMO 26" barrels are perfect for an all around shotgun. I like 24" for a turkey specific gun though.