Seabass Posted November 23, 2010 Report Share Posted November 23, 2010 I am on the market for a new gun to shooting a mixture of game and waterfowl. My question is how would a shorter barreled gun 24 or 26" perform for ducks at range with steel shot compared to say a 28 or 30" I have been looking at a benelli woodcock 24" as it is light and takes a wide range of cartridge I know it is perfect for shooting in tight cover but not sure how it would preform for further away shots. Anyone got any good advise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted November 23, 2010 Report Share Posted November 23, 2010 I have two Benelli`s, both with 26" barrels especially for fowling with steel loads. Modern powders generate all their energy within about 18inches from the breech so there is no ballistic disadvantage to using a 24inch barrel. Quite how you`d get on with longer shots with such a light and fast handling gun is really down to your initial ability and shooting style. Being a lightweight Benelli with somewhat less recoil attenuation than a gas operated auto the woodcock model might kick a bit with 3" cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 just ordered a 24" m2. i`ll see how she does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seabass Posted November 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2010 I have two Benelli`s, both with 26" barrels especially for fowling with steel loads. Modern powders generate all their energy within about 18inches from the breech so there is no ballistic disadvantage to using a 24inch barrel. Quite how you`d get on with longer shots with such a light and fast handling gun is really down to your initial ability and shooting style. Being a lightweight Benelli with somewhat less recoil attenuation than a gas operated auto the woodcock model might kick a bit with 3" cartridges. Thanks for the advice. Am i correct in saying the lighter loads are better in steel for speed so may not need the 3" as much for fowling with steel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanks Posted November 26, 2010 Report Share Posted November 26, 2010 I have just got a 26" Benelli Supernova and I'm planning on putting a mix of 3" and 3.5" steel loads through it this weekend so I'll let you know!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seabass Posted November 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2010 I have just got a 26" Benelli Supernova and I'm planning on putting a mix of 3" and 3.5" steel loads through it this weekend so I'll let you know!! Look forward to hearing how it gets on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanks Posted November 29, 2010 Report Share Posted November 29, 2010 Unfortunately, I can't give you a detailed report on spread patterns but what I can say is that I'm more than pleased with my 26" Supernova. I was using 3.5" non-toxic steel 3's on 1/4 choke and this is the result. I had just one opportunity at a pair and was behind the second one, probably my fault at wasting a split second remembering I had to pump the gun's action. Not bad though, two cartridges used, one duck in the oven. Range was about 30 to 35m. I'm well pleased with the SN, and very thankful to the fine chap at Sportsman's who advised me away from the 24". I think this would have been a little too short in the barrel. 26" seems about right. Hanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted November 29, 2010 Report Share Posted November 29, 2010 Being a lightweight Benelli with somewhat less recoil attenuation than a gas operated auto the woodcock model might kick a bit with 3" cartridges. the speed steel shells have abou 1oz of shot, the rest of the space is for a very slow powder, and lots of it. recoil shouldnt be an issue. just stick to 1,1/8oz or 1oz, and druve the shot fast enough, but still patterns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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