What Length Shotgun to buy 26 or 28 inch

[PL Sportsman]

This is for mostly pheasant and some duck hunting. Any preference on length of barrel?

Thanks,

Paul

[Neighbor_guy]

Well, it depends....

o/u or s/s = 28"

Auto loader or pump = 26"

But that is just me. Other people will have different opinions on this subject. With todays shot and choke tubes, barrel length becomes a matter of personal feel and ballance over balistic performance. Balisticly there is no difference between the two.

Same lenth barrel's on the two different types of gun will result in differnt lenth guns. An o/u with a 28" barrel will be almost 4" shorter in overall length of gun than an auto or pump with the same 28" barrel.

[PL Sportsman]

Thanks Neighbor. It will be an auto loader.

[paul pachowicz]

alittle FYI on scatter gun ballistics. 26 inches is the lenght of barrel needed for the powder to fully expand. Anything over 26 inches affords nothing more then a longer sighting plain....nothing more. A shorter 26 barrel offers a quicker swing. Try out a few different length barrels and see what fits you best.

[Will]

If you can get your hands on a couple guns in those lengths, take em to the range and shoot some clays. Make your choice based on feel.

[delmuts]

I agree with Will! The reason is that i had a 26 " barrel on a remington, but couldn't hit much with it! Tried a 28 " and was right on! Seems my eye sight just wasn't picking up the shorter barrel.

[Norsky]

I think the 28" barrell is easier to point than a shorter one.

[Black Bear]

ANYONE in a duckboat or goose pit with you will appreciate the 28" over a 26" ...thats for sure! I speak from experience as a former Rochester goose guide.

[Will]

Well, no other input is needed now

[PL Sportsman]

Thanks all for the input. I think I am in line for a 28.

[DRH1175]

I love my 26" Benelli! It really comes down to personal preference. But for me I find the shorter barrels quicker.