Cosd Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 (edited) After shooting now for about 10 months using a hand me down shotgun that is too short for me, I have just bought my first gun. I bought a Browning Medalist here on the forum and am quite pleased with it. It came almost as described, the stock has been stripped, oiled and looks good, and the barrels are spotless. It was advertised as 30" barrells but is actually 28"! I'm not quite sure how I feel about that; I have shot my friends 30" shottie (Bettinsoli) and it felt really good, so when I saw this one advertised I was keen. To be fair the chap I bought it from said it was a genuine mistake on his behalf, he also said that most people shoot 28" guns as they are more "pointable" out on the field. I don't know, my friends 30" gun definitely feels more subsantial (I'm 6' tall), maybe it's just in my head. I was really excited about getting the gun, and even though I am still chuffed about owning my first gun , I still don't know whether I would have preffered the 30" version! Am I being silly? What size barrels do people mainly shoot for game? Is it a hard and fast rule that if you are a certain height you should look to getting longer barrels? Also do the length of the barrels mean the gun has a longer shooting range? Should I just put the gun back up for sale and look for the 30" version? What are the chances of me finding a set of secondhand 30" barrels? Before anyone starts saying that I should give it back if the advert was misleading, this isn't about having a dig at the seller at all, if he said it was a mistake then I accept that, if it were a gundealer it would be different. Browning Medalist 28" barrels Multichoke (5 chokes and key original) Single selective trigger Ejectors Edited September 1, 2008 by Cosd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter De La Mare Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Take it back. 28" barrels will be unsuitable for a man of your stature. It'll be way to flighty and you'll have to concentrate hard to keep it where you want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter De La Mare Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Having said that, I don't know **** about field/game shooting, but I'm also 6ft and my next gun, for sporting clays, will have 32" barrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted September 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 I have read that longer barrells are used for clays, but I don't really know why this is. Do length of barrels have any bearing on how far you can shoot? Do longer barrels shoot further? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter De La Mare Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 (edited) In some way.... yes, though not dynamically. They allow you to track and shoot more smoothly and accurately at distance, although it'll be the cartridge that ultimately determines how far you can shoot.... whether you hit anything or not is another question. Barrel lenght has no effect on the actual range the pellets will travel. A 28" gun will be flapping about so much (by comparison) that pin pointing distance objects will be extremely difficult. If you only plan to shoot things that are 20-40 yards away, then the 28" may well work ok for you. Try some mounting and swinging moves in your house/garden and see how it feels. Edited September 1, 2008 by Peter De La Mare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trussman Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Longer barrels 'swing' more easily, while shorter barrels generally handle better. Clay guns will usually have longer barrels (30" and 32") and field guns are in between (28" and 30" with a couple 26" SxS) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vole Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Firstly,congratulations on your 1st gun. I am 6ft 4 , mainly rough shoot and prefer 26in barrels when given a choice as it is far better to lug around all day and I find them better than longer barrels.I occasionally shoot clays with AYA 26in sbs and this 26in semi auto and ,by my standards do well enough.Its obviously a personal thing.Incidentally,I would prefer to miss a few clays rather than miss in the field.All the best,hope you settle on one that suits you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricky green Posted September 2, 2008 Report Share Posted September 2, 2008 yo cos lenght only matters to the women one thing to think about with a long gun is you neen more room in the hide,whitch i think you do more of as opposed to clay shooting.try not to get to focused about the lenghtif you are hitting with it then its ok. did you get your wall problem sorted.(i shoot a 28 inch for pigeons and rough shooting,and a 30 inch on the clays).keep shooting straight.and keep well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodmedod.one Posted September 2, 2008 Report Share Posted September 2, 2008 First of all, congratulations on your first gun. Second, no your not being silly. Shooting well with any gun has a lot to do with your confidence in it. Like you, I am 6ft tall. I shoot with 28" barrels and get on fine with them, so please don't write your gun off just because of the missing 2". Take it out and enjoy it but you must concentrate on the target, not on the barrel length. You should be fine. Cheers, Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted September 2, 2008 Report Share Posted September 2, 2008 Cosed , congrats on your first gun ,yes it is a special occasion and one to be rememberd for many years . As to an extra two inches on the barrels when shooting pigeons ,i seriously doubt if it will make any difference at all . But having said that ,if the gun has been accidently or deliberately miss described i would have thought that an honest vendor would offer you your money back . Again having said that if you are happy with the gun why not just keep it . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miroku Mike Posted September 2, 2008 Report Share Posted September 2, 2008 Congrats on your gun You have had some sound advice. Concentrate on your targets not on the gun. Only time will tell whether you are truly happy with your new stick. I started with a 28 i now have a 30 for game shooting and a 32 for clays. Im 5ft 11 and shoot my 32 like a demon, some people would say a 32 is for a taller heavier person. I on vary rare occasions take the grade v 32 pigeon shooting and feel quite sorry for them, dont miss many . Only reason i have the other is that im not paranoid the whole time about scratching it. It will take a while to get the feel of you knew best friend bit like breaking in new shoes, All of a sudden there comfy just an extension of your arm. All the best and shoot well mate, most of all ENJOY. Regards Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted September 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2008 Thanks for all the advice guys. I will be sticking with my new gun as advised for a good few months and see how I get on. I spent a good few hours cleaning my new toy and it looks fantastic . After all that, I can't get out this weekend because of family engagements and my shooting buddy (his shoot) is going away on holiday for two weeks after that....not good, will have to wait a few weeks before I can try her out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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