Bass301gmh Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Gents, I'm in the market for a new 20bore for game and have been looking at the new 725. I've tried a 32" at the local clay ground and it was good but unfortunately couldn't compare it against a 28" or 30" version. All of the reviews really rate a 32" barrel on a 20 b as being near perfect. I know gun fit, stature, long barrels and distance, etc.., all play a part, but I'm not convinced that a 32" will make me shoot any better. I do both driven and walked-up and being someone who is vertically challenged have to think about the practicalities of a longer gun. How did people cope when the average game gun had a 28" barrel? Is it just a fashion trend? I'd appreciate your thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Gents, I'm in the market for a new 20gauge for game and have been looking at the new 725. I've tried a 32" at the local clay ground and it was good but unfortunately couldn't compare it against a 28" or 30" version. All of the reviews really rate a 32" barrel on a 20 b as being near perfect. I know gun fit, stature, long barrels and distance, etc.., all play a part, but I'm not convinced that a 32" will make me shoot any better. I do both driven and walked-up and being someone who is vertically challenged have to think about the practicalities of a longer gun. How did people cope when the average game gun had a 28" barrel? Is it just a fashion trend? I'd appreciate your thoughts. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkAYA Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 I am 6ft and have a 28" and I find it suits me perfect. Has a lovely balance to it. But it comes down to personal preference. however it's not a 725 its a lincoln premier gold deluxe. Nice and light for a days shooting 👍. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 (edited) Very roughly, 1)Barrel length affects gun balance and needs to be reasonably in proportion. 2)barrel length affects muzzle speed when mounting to aim. Shorter is faster. 3)barrel length affects follow through on swing, longer is more momentum. 244 or 26 is great for fast reaction shooting (walked up snipe. Teal, bolting rabbits) as half second is often important. 28 sits in the middle compromise. 32 is popular with pre mounted clayshooters and long range driven game and flight shooting where time is plentiful and positive follow through is required. What do you intend to use your gun for and pick length appropriately Edited December 3, 2015 by Stonepark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arley Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 I am 6ft and shoot a 20s/s with 27inch barrels and I do ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 ive ordered a 525 game in 28in barrels, it felt to me like a jack of all trades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 My 2p worth: 28" is a good all rounder in terms of barrel length. Being tall with long arms I just find a 30" swings smoother and feels better balanced to me. 32" I think would be too much and a bit whippy on fast game. I'll go with fashion trend for longer barrels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxwit Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 I used the 725 20b with 32's last weekend and I normally use a 28 inch 12b game gun. I have to say didn;t really like it at all with the long barrels but that may just be because i'm not used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 I have handled a few 20 bore 687s and a 525 Gd5 with 29 1/2 and 30 inch barrels and they handle very very nicely. I am of average height and build and normally use a 28 inch 687 12 bore. Not tried a 32 inch in anything to be honest, best advice I can give is to get your hands on the shorter barrel lengths ( shooting schools usually have a 28 inch with a short stock for youngsters ) and draw you own conclusions. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gin steady shooter Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Just bought a 30" sxs in 20b myself today. First impression is that balance is fine, swings great. I'm moving away from a 28" o/u 12b that I normally shoot with. I'm also tall at 6"2, I was measured for lop yday and gunmaker said I measure a 16 & 1/4" lop, so having long barrels on a long stock help balance, according to him. This makes sense to me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrowningDJC Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 I've got a 725 20 30inch, handles very well and shoots great. Light to carry but steady to swing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 If you do any amount of walked up shooting I expect you'll find 32" tubes a bit of a pain, especially in an OU. I have a 32" Beretta 12 bore and if I take that rough shooting it's so much harder getting through the thick stuff than my 28" SXS, which is a much much better rough shooting gun. OUs are awkward for walked up shooting anyway as they open up so much further, extra long barrels just compound the difficulty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimfireboy Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 If you do any amount of walked up shooting I expect you'll find 32" tubes a bit of a pain, especially in an OU. I have a 32" Beretta 12 bore and if I take that rough shooting it's so much harder getting through the thick stuff than my 28" SXS, which is a much much better rough shooting gun. OUs are awkward for walked up shooting anyway as they open up so much further, extra long barrels just compound the difficulty. Couldn't agree more Tim... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 If you do any amount of walked up shooting I expect you'll find 32" tubes a bit of a pain, especially in an OU. I have a 32" Beretta 12 bore and if I take that rough shooting it's so much harder getting through the thick stuff than my 28" SXS, which is a much much better rough shooting gun. OUs are awkward for walked up shooting anyway as they open up so much further, extra long barrels just compound the difficulty. Agree, with a 32" barrel your carrying them 4" closer to the ground than a 28", more snags and brambles to catch your barrels on. For me 30 or 32 inch for sporting, if I went rough or game shooting would get a 28" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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