26 inch barrels on shot gun

[foghorn]

Asked this question earlier but didnt explain properly.

What are if any the advantages of 26 inch barrels on a 12g shot gun. Seen some for sell and am tempted.

Foghorn

[Rizzini]

I have a 26" semi auto and used in once or twice out of the hide for crows and its very maneuverable.

[smig4373]

Very quick handling guns.....Ideal in a hide or on walked up shooting in woodland....

>>LOOK HERE IF YOU WANT ONE<<

Edited April 5, 2010 by smig4373

[Cranfield]

Your original post is in "Guns and Equipment", where I am moving this thread.

[jackinbox99]

Well, a 26inch barrel gives you a shorter shotgun and a lighter shotgun. Therefore, you can swing it about quicker and get onto targets quicker. Ideal if your after game and carrying the gun about all day with you, or if your after pigeons from a hide where there is little room.

 

Disadvantage is that a lighter gun may give you more recoil, and being lighter, you may not have a smooth swing compared to a longer barrelled gun. - one of the reasons that people tend to favour longer barrels like 30" for clay shooting these days.

 

Personally I like the shorter barrelled guns.

[Guest cookoff013]

shorter barrels have a different ballance. the best balance should be around the hingepin.

better ballance is usually a quicker / faster handling gun.

penultimately its the users preferance that makes all the difference.

 

i really like shorter guns. they handle great. i`ve a 28" nova pump. it feels like a 34" fencepost. but i can get it to work.

the total length is like a 34" gun.

i am really considering a 24" m2.

dont be too easily swayed by peoples oppinions that 34-36-or even 48" barrels are better. they handle like ****. maybe good on trap, or dtl. but for sporting? no.

shorter barrels are out of fasion at the moment, but they will be back.

[wymberley]

Hi, Ignoring the barrel length, if you are also tempted for all the other characteristics of the guns, ie, you're not thinking of buying just for short barrels, and would buy it if they had 28 or 30", then jump in and I'll bet that you end up agreeing with all the previous posts and be well pleased.

Cheers

[Towngun]

First, it's worth noting that shooting styles and preferences have evolved over time. In the 1970s, for example, many aspects of today's shooting discussions would have seemed unnecessary to consider and remember the great Edwardian game shots all used open chokes and later Churchill made fortune with 25" barrels, which became "de rigueur" on the sporting field. 

Let’s break down some key points on the subject.

Practical Considerations:
Lightness and space within a shooting hide are essential for comfort and ease of movement. These aspects, while simple, can make a significant difference during longer shooting sessions, where physical comfort directly influences focus and accuracy. A 7.5 lb sporter may not be welcome towards the end of your day. As always there are many aspects to a days shoot, equal to the bag.

Technical Factors:
When it comes to achieving effective kills, precision in pellet strike is paramount. A well-formed skeet pattern within effective range is particularly challenging for game to evade. In terms of range, skeet shooting is most effective within 20 to 25 yards, while a quarter choke can reliably extend up to 30 yards. Using an open choke increases the number of kills by approximately 25% within range, arguably compensating for any potential losses due to range limitations by boosting performance on closer shots. Most game is closers ranges than many are capable of assessing. 

Nontoxic Shot Considerations:
With the shift toward nontoxic ammunition, particularly steel shot, there are important mechanical factors to bear in mind. Steel does not compress the way lead does, and attempts to force compression can increase pressure within the barrel, potentially impacting both performance and safety. Given the high volume of shooting and the popularity of bird resale, there’s a strong case for pairing open chokes with steel shot to maximize efficacy and minimize wear on the firearm.

Don't follow fashion - create it or maybe repeat it. 

Edited November 7 by Towngun

[Scully]

34 minutes ago, Towngun said:

First, it's worth noting that shooting styles and preferences have evolved over time. In the 1970s, for example, many aspects of today's shooting discussions would have seemed unnecessary to consider and remember the great Edwardian game shots all used open chokes and later Churchill made fortune with 25" barrels, which became "de rigueur" on the sporting field. 

Let’s break down some key points on the subject.

Practical Considerations:
Lightness and space within a shooting hide are essential for comfort and ease of movement. These aspects, while simple, can make a significant difference during longer shooting sessions, where physical comfort directly influences focus and accuracy. A 7.5 lb sporter may not be welcome towards the end of your day. As always there are many aspects to a days shoot, equal to the bag.

Technical Factors:
When it comes to achieving effective kills, precision in pellet strike is paramount. A well-formed skeet pattern within effective range is particularly challenging for game to evade. In terms of range, skeet shooting is most effective within 20 to 25 yards, while a quarter choke can reliably extend up to 30 yards. Using an open choke increases the number of kills by approximately 25% within range, arguably compensating for any potential losses due to range limitations by boosting performance on closer shots. Most game is closers ranges than many are capable of assessing. 

Nontoxic Shot Considerations:
With the shift toward nontoxic ammunition, particularly steel shot, there are important mechanical factors to bear in mind. Steel does not compress the way lead does, and attempts to force compression can increase pressure within the barrel, potentially impacting both performance and safety. Given the high volume of shooting and the popularity of bird resale, there’s a strong case for pairing open chokes with steel shot to maximize efficacy and minimize wear on the firearm.

Don't follow fashion - create it or maybe repeat it. 

Your paragraphs concerning technical factors and steel shot have no relevance to barrel length I’m afraid, only concerning choke, and while I have nothing against thread resurrection, I feel the OP may have moved on a tad by now. 🙂

[Weihrauch17]

On 05/05/2010 at 09:29, Guest cookoff013 said:

shorter barrels have a different ballance. the best balance should be around the hingepin.

better ballance is usually a quicker / faster handling gun.

penultimately its the users preferance that makes all the difference.

 

i really like shorter guns. they handle great. i`ve a 28" nova pump. it feels like a 34" fencepost. but i can get it to work.

the total length is like a 34" gun.

i am really considering a 24" m2.

dont be too easily swayed by peoples oppinions that 34-36-or even 48" barrels are better. they handle like ****. maybe good on trap, or dtl. but for sporting? no.

shorter barrels are out of fasion at the moment, but they will be back.

I have a mint SBE 1 24 inch for sale at Bond and Bywater on commission with extra after market chokes.  I used it for Pigeons and it was superb for hide work, only selling as I have let my FAC / SGC expire.

[Smokersmith]

A 14 year reprise … GB!

Edited November 7 by Smokersmith

[enfieldspares]

On 05/04/2010 at 21:47, foghorn said:

What are if any the advantages of 26 inch barrels on a 12g shot gun.

It keeps hearing aid manufacturers in long term gainful employment. You OTOH go deaf. So maybe now a decade and a half later the OP can confirm if that is also true for him?

Edited November 7 by enfieldspares

[TIGHTCHOKE]

G. B.

[JKD]

4 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

G. B.

You found it then ? 🙋‍♂️  🤪😂

[TIGHTCHOKE]

Hell yes.........................

[wymberley]

15 hours ago, Scully said:

I feel the OP may have moved on a tad by now. 🙂

Towngun ( the original left the field in 2005) does this on occasion. No matter whether one agrees with him or not, he's always worth a read.

[Fil]

19 hours ago, Towngun said:

Technical Factors:
When it comes to achieving effective kills, precision in pellet strike is paramount. A well-formed skeet pattern within effective range is particularly challenging for game to evade. In terms of range, skeet shooting is most effective within 20 to 25 yards, while a quarter choke can reliably extend up to 30 yards. Using an open choke increases the number of kills by approximately 25% within range, arguably compensating for any potential losses due to range limitations by boosting performance on closer shots. Most game is closers ranges than many are capable of assessing. 

Nontoxic Shot Considerations:
With the shift toward nontoxic ammunition, particularly steel shot, there are important mechanical factors to bear in mind. Steel does not compress the way lead does, and attempts to force compression can increase pressure within the barrel, potentially impacting both performance and safety. Given the high volume of shooting and the popularity of bird resale, there’s a strong case for pairing open chokes with steel shot to maximize efficacy and minimize wear on the firearm.

Technical Factors:

Barrel length has absolutely nothing to do with choke. You can have full and full in a pair of 25" barrels.

Nontoxic Shot Considerations:

Word salad & fake news.  

Sorry to be blunt but whilst everyone is entitled to their opinions when it comes to fact. This aint it. A newbie could be reading that. 

[TIGHTCHOKE]

If you post such drivel surely you would expect people to pick holes in your information?

[wymberley]

5 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

G. B.

 

58 minutes ago, Fil said:

You can have full and full in a pair of 25" barrels.

I suppose one has to decide which is of more value: posting a considered opinion of a particular topic or glibly mentioning the initials of a Scottish/American playboy and making a pretty much universally known statement. I would imagine that the latter two unlike the former are unlikely to generate any further discussion which is the lifeblood of internet forum.

[Fil]

46 minutes ago, wymberley said:

 

I suppose one has to decide which is of more value: posting a considered opinion of a particular topic or glibly mentioning the initials of a Scottish/American playboy and making a pretty much universally known statement. I would imagine that the latter two unlike the former are unlikely to generate any further discussion which is the lifeblood of internet forum.

Sorry but I have no idea what you mean by that. But I agree discussion is indeed the lifeblood of internet forum. I don't comment on much. Everyone gives their opinion and is entitled to it. Say for opinions and advice on most things like wellies guns, gun fit, night vision, etc. I leave those to the better experienced on said topics. That is lifeblood of internet forum. But when I see things said I know to be absolutely false when it comes to the mechanics of guns I will politely question the OP and give my version or bluntly call it out because it is drivel that some people shouldn't be giving as advice to a newcomer whether it kills the conversation or not. 

There are no opinions when it comes to safety. 

[Scully]

5 hours ago, wymberley said:

Towngun ( the original left the field in 2005) does this on occasion. No matter whether one agrees with him or not, he's always worth a read.

Sorry, I have no idea what that has to do with either the OP’s post or mine you’ve quoted above. 
 

[oldypigeonpopper]

Hello, I am sure it was Ruffer who remarked about short barrel side by side shotguns tending to get barrel flip ? Particular the 25 inch XXV 

[wymberley]

22 minutes ago, Scully said:

Sorry, I have no idea what that has to do with either the OP’s post or mine you’ve quoted above. 
 

I didn't quote you - at least not intentionally - had I done so I would probably have mentioned that you are quite right in as much as the OP must have moved on by now as we haven't seen him for over 7&1/2 years.

[Scully]

1 hour ago, wymberley said:

I didn't quote you - at least not intentionally - had I done so I would probably have mentioned that you are quite right in as much as the OP must have moved on by now as we haven't seen him for over 7&1/2 years.

No worries. 

[TIGHTCHOKE]

2 hours ago, oldypigeonpopper said:

Hello, I am sure it was Ruffer who remarked about short barrel side by side shotguns tending to get barrel flip ? Particular the 25 inch XXV 

Guns with any length of barrel can present "barrel flip"

Most often due to the gun not fitting the shooter.