JimLondon Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Hello all This is my first post (so be gentle) I need some advice on barrel length I own a hatsan escort semi auto with a 30" barrel which I find a tad to long I was thinking of going for say a 24 or 26" as a spare. My question is how would this effect it's performance while shooting pigeon ie distance, spread etc. Any help will be greatly appreciated Regards Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 hi Jim It does not matter whot length of barrel you have the balisticks will be the same, its choke that makes the difrence. I to have an Hatsen with a 26 in barrel and have inproved cyilender choke that I youse most for normal decoying. I generaly youse HB pigeon 32 gram 6 shot. Works well for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLondon Posted November 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Hi Alan Thanks for the reply was most helpful. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30-6 Posted December 1, 2012 Report Share Posted December 1, 2012 You will find (i do anyway), that a shorter barrel seems to move faster so good for snap at shooting close ranges. A longer barrel is good for when you can see the bird coming from a distance and can take it further out having more time to compose the shot. What i do sometimes is take a 28" and a 30", (one light and one heavy), and use what the birds dictate, using smaller shot and open chokes in the 28" say cyl and 1/4 with 7's and 6's and in the 30" 1/4 and 3/4 with 6's and 5's. I very rarely use two same size shot sizes in the same gun, just a little thing i do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLondon Posted December 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 30-6 thanks for the advice ,,, as I'm using a semi auto i think I might go for the improved cyl. At the moment I'm using pigeon extreme 34 6s which do the job though my shooting buddy can't get on with them,just goes to show its all about preference. Alan I've ordered the 26" barrel which will take 4 weeks to arrive ill let you know how I get on once it arrives. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted December 6, 2012 Report Share Posted December 6, 2012 Well done mate hope it works well for you, good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30-6 Posted December 6, 2012 Report Share Posted December 6, 2012 Due to a back problem i have to shoot light loads, don't personally like the semi-autos for various reasons although it would help with my health problems i suppose. I find the "EXPRESS" 24g of 7's in 12 bore in 28 inch barrels, very good for close birds in open chokes. Don't ever use more than 30g, except in rare circumstances when a farmer needs a fox sorting, but that is rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moor man Posted December 6, 2012 Report Share Posted December 6, 2012 Hi Jim, welcome. How much was your 26" barrel if you dont mind me asking? A shorter barrel will feel quicker for snap shooting but shouldnt affect ballistics (30-6... +1 ) I have (and love) a camo 28" Escort, Ive shot duck geese, pigeon and rabbit with it and although its not my 'best' gun I would be loathed to sell it. Open choke and sensible range should give you results. Just keep it clean and check yer chokes occasionally. Cheers Moor man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLondon Posted December 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 Hi moor man I contacted Edgar bros for a quote and they told me they don't sell to the public and I'd have to go to a RFD they also said it would cost up to £170. I phoned my local dealer who quoted me £135 they also do a 24" barrel and they do them in camo as well. It pays to shop around as my local dealer quoted me £150 per barrel to re-blue my late fathers Spanish SBS but I shopped about and found a gunsmith who will do a full restoration for £300 which is more than the value of the gun but it was the old mans first gun so I can't wait to see it in all it's former glory. Good luck and let me know how you get on. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabbit warren Posted December 12, 2012 Report Share Posted December 12, 2012 i shot an escort for pigeon and its got 28" barrels because everything is further forward on a semi its about the same as 32" barrels on an o/u looking back i proberly gone for a 24" but saying that i love shooting it and seem to shot well with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsonicnat Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 As some people say, 30" Barrels have more pointabilty , Use mine in the hide and keep the net same hieght as the end of the barrel, works for me, does not tend to get snagged as easily either, Do not stand up for the shot stay sat down, only time the barrel moves is when I`m taking the shot.. As Said works for me.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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