Well, I'm now in my 60's and in early Spring season when foliage has not sprouted in the VA mountains, I tend to hunt a blind. And I like to move from time to time. Years ago, could carry my shotgun, blind, stool, decoys and misc stuff in a pack with no big issues across the mountain ridges. Well that has changed. I have decided to lighten up on these early spring days. Found a smaller blind, lighter stool, using fewer decoys and streamlined my misc. items. Want to now make the move from my 12 ga Super Nova which has been a fantastic turkey gun, to an ultra lightweight 20 ga. I've read enough about the successes of 20 ga hunting that the gauge is not an issue. I started my "everything and anything" hunting back in the 1960's with a 20 ga single shot Harrington Richardson, so I see this as also going to my past as well. With a smaller blind, maneuverability has become more important. Did a lot of comparing between the Rem 870 youth models and the 500 and 510 Mossberg Youth Batam Turkey. The 500 is 22" and the 510 is an `8 1/2" barrel. Wt is lighter for the 18 1/2" by a quarter pound. Also, goes unsaid, while maneuverability would be good for both, it would be best for the 18 1/2" gun. Both have adjustable stocks, but even at the utmost adjustment they both would be considered "short" for me. That's not important to me. I usually pull the trigger one time on a hunt, its not skeet shooting or upland bird hunting where a comfortable swing is critical. Understand the muzzle blast may be a bit louder on the short barrel, but not an issue with hearing protection I wear (Walker's game ear muffs). Velocity will likely be a little slower on the shorter barrel, but again don't see that as an issue. My main question is this...do most feel the patterning with today's aftermarket chokes would be about the same? Has anybody shot and compared
both barrel lengths in a 20 ga...and better yet hunted with an 18 1/2" barrel and a 21" or 22" barrel. Would love to know direct comparisons. Also thoughts on the best performing aftermarket choke. By the way, both I understand are drilled and tapped for scopes which is a plus for me. Remington still has work to do in this area on its youth models, plus while i have Remington firearms, the guns they have put out in the past decade while good, don't stand up to the ones the put out years ago. That's just my opinion and I know others may disagree. Thanks for any insight.
