fortune Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 do you think that if we tried out long barrelled stove pipe guns we would hit everything and think wow I'll get rid of all of the short stuff. Or would we think naah, I'll stick with the short? What do people prefer? Do you shoot long and short? Have you gone from one to the other and then gone back. Or do you have both and it don't make a jotsworth of difference. Is it all in the head? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 (edited) For myself, I have from a very light 27" Darne choked about 1/4 and 1/2 I think, to a 30" heavy duty s/s AyA - which has 2 sets of barrels, one set being 30" full and extra full (not specified by me, but a previous owner). I have shot 25", but not I think over 30". The cabinet also holds o/u's in 28" and 30" lengths. I'm not a fan of long barrels because I'm not tall (5'9") and tend to walk with my gun quite a lot (where both weight and convenience count against long barrels). My 'go to' gun is a 28" AyA s/s choked imp and 1/4 (I think). I use this for walked up grouse, 'normal' mixed partridge pheasant days (usually 50 to 100 birds bag by the team) at typical (sub 40 yard) ranges - and sporting clays. However, a good friend (who is a very good shot) shoots a heavy 34" fully choked o/u (using heavy high performance loads), and though he can shoot my gun well at clays, thinks his far better for the game shooting he does. He is fortunate enough to shoot the very high 'Devon' birds, and though he doesn't shoot a lot now, when he does they are genuinely long shots where the long barrels, heavy loads and tight chokes give him the performance he feels he needs (and he is probably right). So - in conclusion, I think there is a case for a specialist gun for those very high long birds that are found on a few shoots that specialise in such targets. For the rest of us having a good day out and shooting at normal (mostly 25-35 yard) ranges, anything from 25" up will do - and not fussy about choke either. Just need to point it right! Edited June 10, 2017 by JohnfromUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 I shoot a 26-28-30 and I cant tell any difference having said that I shoot them for different reasons, never tried trap with a 26 for instance so cant compare in that way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 I have a gun that came with 26" and 30" barrels, supposedly the shorter set for hide shooting. I can't get on with them so the 30" stay on. Ideal for both hide and roost shooting. I put the 26" set on when we are lamping as it makes the length more manageable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 hello, it was all side by side when i started in mid 1960s and my first 30 was an old j hughes, did not get on with that and went to an aya yeoman 28, most i knew had same then some went 25 like the aya, a few years on the O/Us became popular but still 26/28, if you are talking about high pheasant in devon if you research shooting in victorian times a lot of guns were 30s hammer, reading the art of good shooting by ruffer a 25 with the right cartridge and choke will hit long targets, having seen some videos of this high shooting with long barrels when pheasants appear the size of a pigeon i think it is a small part of an average shooting day when most are taken at 25 to 45 yards, i have shot pigeon at 45 yards but with a very full choke single barrel and 5 shot, anyway its not all about guns and ammo, not shooting much now if a barn door came over at 45 yards i would miss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fern01 Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 (edited) When I first started with a 20 bore O/U fifteen years ago I had one with a 28" barrels. When I changed it about five years later I moved to 30" barrels and found I shot better and more consistently.. I am convinced I actually shot in front of some birds with the 28" at times. Edited June 10, 2017 by fern01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 all sensible stuff..........i shoot nothing else except 26"....cyl & 1/4..........and have pulled a lot of birds down from height.........99% of all my shots are 20-40 yds........ cartridge choice is important as the guns of that lenght tend to be lighter................ long barreled guns...are a must for heavier more pokey cartridges as they absorb the recoil much better....and maybe they patteren better as the powder burns for longer......... a lot of it is in the mind.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psycho Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 I think 30 is the all around 90 yard pigeon gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 all my break barrelled guns are 28in,my 2 sa are 28 also but much longer there equall to 30 barrelled guns in overall length but dont notice any difference in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 hello, it was all side by side when i started in mid 1960s and my first 30 was an old j hughes, did not get on with that and went to an aya yeoman 28, most i knew had same then some went 25 like the aya, a few years on the O/Us became popular but still 26/28, if you are talking about high pheasant in devon if you research shooting in victorian times a lot of guns were 30s hammer, reading the art of good shooting by ruffer a 25 with the right cartridge and choke will hit long targets, having seen some videos of this high shooting with long barrels when pheasants appear the size of a pigeon i think it is a small part of an average shooting day when most are taken at 25 to 45 yards, i have shot pigeon at 45 yards but with a very full choke single barrel and 5 shot, anyway its not all about guns and ammo, not shooting much now if a barn door came over at 45 yards i would miss Good stuff, he really was a JEM. It is perhaps a little unfortunate though that not all that long after he published the base theorty on choke was dramatically amended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 Short. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 24", 25", 28" and 32" all have their place! Oh and my son shoots all the above plus 34" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 I've shot clays with a 26" barreled SxS choke 3/4&full and at any range upto 45 yards the clays were giving lots of dust with plastic wad 28g 71/2 shot. Past that when I let them go they were crunched. When your on them barel length means nothing it's the choke and patterns that counts at range. Long barrels are easier the get a smoother steadier swing. For game short for clays long barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wb123 Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 I have a 25 inch side by side i enjoy shooting above all the others in the cabinet but cant hit a thing on a trap stand with it. I have a 30 inch over under that is far less fun to shoot but i can hit things with it at trap. I think preference depends on the task at hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted June 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 (edited) When your on them barel length means nothing it's the choke and patterns that counts at range. I think that a lot of it is in the mind. If you think that the tool that you have is pure gold then it is good to have self belief. It would be interesting to see how the Olympic shooters would do with both ordinary sbs and o/u guns, rather than their own guns. the guns that were on the shelf in the late 60s & 70s were nearly all 28" barrels. There were a few 25s, but they were a bit exotic. No one was interested in 30+ barrels. they were from an old black powder generation. Even in the 70s Small bores were really rare. Basically the choice was a 12 bore with fixed chokes shooting Eley Grand Prix 1-1/16. I always fancied a Luigi Franchi falconet but I got a Victor Sarasquetta 6EC with 26" barrels. Then I got married and had kids so major gun purchases for some time until I got a 25 boxlock and then a 25 sidelock and then loads of stuff but I never got anything long than 28. Edited June 10, 2017 by fortune Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 Definitely shorter for me. My Perazzi is 28 inch and all my other guns are under 30inch. Tried a 32 inch Beretta recently and it felt and looked ridiculous, to me anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
button Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 24", 25", 28" and 32" all have their place! Oh and my son shoots all the above plus 34" What 34" does he use. Have been pondering this for a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 What 34" does he use. Have been pondering this for a while My guess would be either a Perazzi or a Caesar Guerini. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 I think that a lot of it is in the mind. If you think that the tool that you have is pure gold then it is good to have self belief. It would be interesting to see how the Olympic shooters would do with both ordinary sbs and o/u guns, rather than their own guns. the guns that were on the shelf in the late 60s & 70s were nearly all 28" barrels. There were a few 25s, but they were a bit exotic. No one was interested in 30+ barrels. they were from an old black powder generation. Even in the 70s Small bores were really rare. Basically the choice was a 12 bore with fixed chokes shooting Eley Grand Prix 1-1/16. I always fancied a Luigi Franchi falconet but I got a Victor Sarasquetta 6EC with 26" barrels. Then I got married and had kids so major gun purchases for some time until I got a 25 boxlock and then a 25 sidelock and then loads of stuff but I never got anything long than 28. Exactly ,everyone wanted shorter barrels,not much cartridge and less choke........and still shot a lot of stuff ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 But they where shooting different types of targets game tended to be lower birds shoot in large numbers where now the emphasis has gone to higher birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philpotttt Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 (edited) I prefer my 32'' o/u for clays and hide shooting but in order that I don't damage the stock on my DT10, I have just bought a cheap Sabatti o/u 28'' for hide shooting which is working out okay, early days yet though. Strangely enough I bought a 28'' Hatsan auto which is the same length overall as my DT10 but for me it just didn't handle well so sold it. I think a great deal has to do with the balance of the gun which is why my DT10 handles so well, perhaps a cheap 32'' would not be a gun of choice, who knows. Phil Edited June 14, 2017 by philpotttt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 I prefer my 32'' o/u for clays and hide shooting but in order that I don't damage the stock on my DT10, I have just bought a cheap Sabatti o/u 28'' for hide shooting which is working out okay, early days yet though. Strangely enough I bought a 28'' Hatsan auto which is the same length overall as my DT10 but for me it just didn't handle well so sold it. I think a great deal has to do with the balance of the gun which is why my DT10 handles so well, perhaps a cheap 32'' would not be a gun of choice, who knows. Phil I think that was a little hopeful, I have a 24" barrel on my Hatsan and I shoot a 32" Beretta at clays, there is no comparison between the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philpotttt Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 I think that was a little hopeful, I have a 24" barrel on my Hatsan and I shoot a 32" Beretta at clays, there is no comparison between the two. I totally agree but it was the first auto I have had for over 40 years..................................lesson learned. What I would like is a well used and perhaps scratched DT10 so I can use the guns I love without worrying about damage in the hide, some chance !!!! Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Phil, whilst my eldest son was gaining experience in the hide I used to take my Beretta 32" out. Rapidly changed that by buying a cheapie from Wabbitbosher for the lad and extended the stock as he grew. That allowed me to leave the nice gun in the cabinet! Far better to have seperate hide guns, clay guns and game guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philpotttt Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Phil, whilst my eldest son was gaining experience in the hide I used to take my Beretta 32" out. Rapidly changed that by buying a cheapie from Wabbitbosher for the lad and extended the stock as he grew. That allowed me to leave the nice gun in the cabinet! Far better to have seperate hide guns, clay guns and game guns. Again, I completely agree and bought the little Italian Sabatti just for the hide which will do for now as it shoots quite well. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.