TwinTop Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 This may sound a very basic question but your advice would be appreciated. I'm after a Beretta 686e and its available in 28 and 30 inch. What are the advantages / disadvantages of each length. I'm 5'7" does that point to getting the shorter gun or is it not really relevant? Advice please. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Hopefully, the technically competent will give you a better answer, but I find that I "swing" better with a longer barrel. However, if the longer barrel means the gun is much heavier (the end seems to sag), I stick on 28" barrels. I have no experience of the Beretta 686e and would suggest handling the particular gun is the answer, as weight/barrel length seems to vary so much between makes and models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwinTop Posted March 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 I must say I shoot better with the longer barrel but as you say the 28" is easier to handle... Anyone else got a view on this before I spend my hard earned... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 (edited) I was told 30" if you shoot mostly clays and 28" if you shoot mostly game; that was for my Silver Pigeon and as far as I'm aware it was pretty much down to the fact that a gun with 30" barrels is heavier to lug around all day when game shooting. Try them both and see what you prefer. Edit: I bought the 30" because I liked it better; I shoot as much game as clays now. WGD Edited March 11, 2008 by wgd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 its a catch 22. I can shoot better with a 30" on clays and driven birds, but out rough shooting you really notice the difference they are a bit more cumbersome and not as quick to snap shoot with. If you can get on with a 28 go for that for an all round gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretman Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 I USE 28 FOR EVERYTHING AND GET ON REALLY WELL ITS WOT SUITS YOU BEST MATE.BEST REGARDS :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob300w Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 I would go to a gun shop and try both barrel lengths for balance, swing etc, you will probably notice no difference at all in the handling, and both will perform exactly the same on clays and game. Personally I would go for the 28, for no particular reason, other than there is no need for the extra two inches, it's one of those cases where length is not important! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 I was told 30" if you shoot mostly clays and 28" if you shoot mostly game; that was for my Silver Pigeon and as far as I'm aware it was pretty much down to the fact that a gun with 30" barrels is heavier to lug around all day when game shooting. Try them both and see what you prefer. Edit: I bought the 30" because I liked it better; I shoot as much game as clays now. WGD I would go to a gun shop and try both barrel lengths for balance, swing etc, you will probably notice no difference at all in the handling, and both will perform exactly the same on clays and game. Personally I would go for the 28, for no particular reason, other than there is no need for the extra two inches, it's one of those cases where length is not important! I have never had two spare inches in my life so thought this was an ideal opportunity :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lock&load Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 I USE 28 FOR EVERYTHING AND GET ON REALLY WELL ITS WOT SUITS YOU BEST MATE.BEST REGARDS :blink: wot he said :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 I'd have the shorter barrel if you are planning some pigeon shooting from a hide. I've got a 30" on the 12g, and it's a ****** for getting caught up in the net. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonic Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 I shoot a 686e with 30" barrels, I use it for all my shooting and get on very well with it, I'm 5'8" so same sort of height as you, I have also shot the wifes 686 with 28" barrels and prefer mine. Cheers Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayman Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Barrel lengths typically come from 26" through to 34". There has been a tendency towards longer barrels as the norm in recent years, 30" today are more popular and have better resale value. In general, shorter barrels mean less weight to both carry about ( all day on the moors, a heavy gun is a burden), and less weight to move in the air. This means less fatigue, very relevant in some situations. Long barrels give greater "pointability", you see more rib and have a better sence in your periphal vision when focused on the target or aim point in front of it, of where the barrels are actually pointing. Heavier barrels also give a more controlled swing as the inertial weight of the barrels helps stop inconsistencies in the smoothness of the swing and application of lead. Everything is a trade off, and you should determine which attributes from barrel length are most relevant to your style and shooting situation, and choose accordingly. Then again, buy a gun with more than one barrel set. I have Perazzi MX series with 28" skeet, 30" teagued sporters, and 32" dedicated trap barrels, plus two interchangeable stocks, one with vari-comb. It amounts to a gun system that allows me to put a suitable configuration together in seconds to suit the shooting in hand. Jerry Parks Young Senior CSA Coach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmsy Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 out of interest jerry what are the barrel weights on your perazzi? i have a set of 1570gm 32" tubes on mine but found i had to add a load of lead weight to make them feel right for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayman Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 To be honest I've never weighed them, as to me its all about balance, and that feels correct for my needs. If you want more forward wt you can add weighting through the ventilation at the front of the gun - skeet shooters with short barrels often do. Conversely, you can bring balance back with wt at the heel or inside the stock. This is down to personal preference alone. If altering the balance gives you confidence, and your shooting diary proves it lifts your scores, its what you need to do. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmsy Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 jerry, they have the barrel weights stamped on the barrel under the forend. just wondered what yours were. as to the balance mine balances just infront of the hinge pin now which to me is where it feels comfortable, and as i added weight to the full length of the tubes the extra weight makes it steadier without loosing much on its speed / handling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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