Barrel length test

[Double B]

I picked up a new 24" barrel for my Beretta to add to the 28"" barrel which came with it.  A couple recent threads have talked about how much difference barrel length makes. New box of Longbeard 5's shot thru a chronograph, the 28" barrel averaged 1286 and the 24" averaged around 1193.  Same ammo and same Hastings .665 choke for each string of 3 shots per.  I wanted to check it for myself and figured I'd share the real world, backyard results.  About what I expected with a loss of about 23 fps per inch.   Pics of high marks for each.  Sd was 59 fps long barrel and 34 short.   


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[CrustyRusty]

I'm a bit surprised by the speed on both barrels...interesting post.

[drenalinld]

What I have seen is it gets more drastic as you go shorter. Not much gain past 26" and the shorter you go the more speed lost per inch.
Thanks for sharing.


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[owlhoot]

  Thanks for doing that test.
Would wonder what effect different loads would make?

[Double B]

That 1325 was a hot one the other were in the high 1260s.  I was pleasantly surprised at the overall fps for both barrels.  The longbeards advertise 1200 for these 3" shells.   I'm gonna hang in to the long barrel, its a real good shooter, but look forward to better maneuverability without much speed sacrificed.  I have a few other loads and may do a few more tests later.  Definitely going to shoot longbeards  through a couple other 12s and compare speeds too.

[owlhoot]

Good deal, how is the chrono? Anything special done to protect it?

[Spurs Up]

Good work. Thanks for sharing DoubleB!

[Double B]

Owlhoot, I had It about 8 ft out with a sandbag across the middle.  Held up good and didn't blow off a screen!  I don't shoot at a target but center in the chrono with a berm in the background if that makes sense, it works better for me.

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[owlhoot]

Owlhoot, I had It about 8 ft out with a sandbag across the middle.  Held up good and didn't blow off a screen!  I don't shoot at a target but center in the chrono with a berm in the background if that makes sense, it works better for me.

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Makes sense and have always wondered about the stray pellet .
Ouch

[sonofabuck]

Great post. Thank you for sharing that.

[Greg Massey]

Thanks for sharing ..have you ever tried the 20 gauge ...??

[Double B]

Thanks for the interest.  It's fun to play with them when you got cabin fever and finally get some nice weather.  Just 12 gauges right now Greg.  My next one to test is a Win pump with a 21" slug barrel threaded w a 660 comp n choke.  I can compare to it's 28" barrel for velocity difference.  Curious to see if it's as fast as the chrome lined Beretta

[turkeyinstrut]

That 1325 was a hot one the other were in the high 1260s.  I was pleasantly surprised at the overall fps for both barrels.  The longbeards advertise 1200 for these 3" shells.   I'm gonna hang in to the long barrel, its a real good shooter, but look forward to better maneuverability without much speed sacrificed.  I have a few other loads and may do a few more tests later.  Definitely going to shoot longbeards  through a couple other 12s and compare speeds too.

1325 FPS when advertised at 1200 FPS? That's not very good quality control seeing how the test barrels are 30" long.

[Double B]

Powder choice makes a big difference in the spread and I don't know what Winchester uses in Longbeards.  For example,  I have a rifle that I can get down to a 10-15 fps spread difference with hand weighed max charges of a certain powder.  If i use another powder, I can get significantly  higher velocity but way more of a spread.  Both are accurate loads, so it's a tradeoff.   I'll shoot a different shotgun next time for comparison and see how it reads.   

[the Ward]

Well done sir, thank you for the testing and sharing your results!