870 Barrel length 26" vs 28"

[Bowfin]

I've shot an 870 12 gauge with a 28" barrel and fixed modified choke for over 20 years. I am starting to think about what shotgun my son should upgrade to when he is ready in a year or two. I am looking at the new Remington 870 super-mags (Rem-choke, 3&1/2 inch chamber capability).

These come with either 26" or 28" barrel lengths. I have a few ideas, but any thoughts on the positives and negatives of a 26" vs. 28" barrel?

The gun would be an all around gun from grouse to geese.

Thanks.

[whitewolf6647]

This is just my opinion but I don't think there is any need what so ever for a 3 1/2 inch chamber, none. There are many many reasons I think this and I won't get into them right now. Anyway, I've shot 24, 26 and 28 inch barrels and I currently shoot a 28 inch barrel on my Benelli auto and again this is just my opinion but the 28 seems to swing through better and shoot better patterns than my 26 inch barrel I have on my 870. Now the patterns probably have to do with the chokes I know. My Benelli has a patternmaster in it and my 870 has a modified in it. However, I have patterned both with just the plain factory modified chokes and the 28 inch seems to pattern better even in that aspect. On the flip side if he's going to be using it for grouse also you may want to go with the shorter barrel for manuevering in the thicker timber. The 26 inch and the 28 inch both have the ability to bring down the biggest canadians it's mostly just a preferance thing. Have him try out both a 26 inch barrel and a 28 inch and see what he likes. That's just my thoughts.

[magnum mike]

With the current choke technology and backboring on certain models, the old myth of longer barrel=longer range is dead. I have 26" barrels on an auto 10 ga, 3-12 guages and a 20 ga. They are lighter and swing faster for me. As for patterning, every gun will let you know what it likes but you have to take the time and pattern the gun with differnet loads.

[luckycrank]

i halve always shot a twelve gauge 28" barrel with 3" chaMBER with #3shot at most ducks I recently sold it to a good friend

and have been sooting a 20 GAUGE o/u WITH A 26"barrel and have been doin fine I just had to up the shot Size to #2's

and have had hardly any cripples just my of course I am hunting over deeks al the time also so most shots are close!

[BoxMN]

Bowfin, I had 870 Magnum with 30" barrel, fixed choke at full - older gun. I put the light contour 26" barrel on it and I like it much more. Never tried 28". Now I shoot a 26" Gold, and I lke the 26" barrel.

I would get the super mag for the simple reason that you can shoot ALL shell lengths. You don't HAVE to but you can. Worth the extra few dollars, IMO.

[SORNO]

I am all for using shorter barrels and finding the right choke tube that patterns the best in it. I like quick fast handling guns.

My friend as an older 9200 mossberg turkey that has a 24" barrel on it. He has learned how to shoot it very well with that short barrel and an imporved modified choke tube.

[Cheetah]

I purchased an 870 Express with 28" barrel and 3.5" chamber a few years ago. It was a cheap gun, and I wanted a gun I could abuse and not feel bad about it instead of my nice double-barrel Beretta.

My main disappointment was that the finish on the wood stock wore off within the first season with limited use. It really looks like [PoorWordUsage] now...

Also, the 3.5" chamber really hurts... I'm no wimp, but I have a box of 3.5" turkey loads that I tested and it hurt so bad that I decided to only use them as emergency spares if I ran out of 3" shells...

[SORNO]

I purchased an 870 Express with 28" barrel and 3.5" chamber a few years ago. It was a cheap gun, and I wanted a gun I could abuse and not feel bad about it instead of my nice double-barrel Beretta.

My main disappointment was that the finish on the wood stock wore off within the first season with limited use. It really looks like [PoorWordUsage] now...

Also, the 3.5" chamber really hurts... I'm no wimp, but I have a box of 3.5" turkey loads that I tested and it hurt so bad that I decided to only use them as emergency spares if I ran out of 3" shells...

I think my 10ga O/U kicks less then a 12ga pump with 3.5" shells. Those things are wicked sharp blow to the shoulder.

[Scott Stein]

i shoot BPS 3" w/ a 24 inch barrel and love it imo i would buy him a good used or new BPS

[sakazulu]

I bought a "very" used camo mag 870 w/a 26" remchoke barrel mid season last year. Cleaned 'er up and and love it. Light, fast and cheap. It really thumps you hard w/fast shells as it is so light but you also got all the options of shells and chokes. Have not used the BPS 10 once this year and I can go grouse hunting w/it too! I got an old 870 I bought in '73 and tear down and clean up is different between the two. I hunt fast 3 1/2's w/it, turn the plastic spring retainer upside down in the magazine to prevent any jams. Don't do this "in the blind"! So far, seems to do it all very well!

[Fish&Fowl]

With the power in today's loads, barrel length means nothing for range. It's all about feel and swing and what feels right. If you do a decent amount of grouse hunting a shorter barrel may come in handy. I personally like a 28".

[getdowndog]

Ok You all are missing the point. the POINT is that if u

R hunting in a blind and the shooter next to you has a

26" barrel ya better have ear plugs. Be kind to ur

hunting buddies get a 28" or 30". I have all ways wanted

to shoot a long tom a guy was telling me he had a single

10 with a 36" barrel anyone been shooting that?

[Fish&Fowl]

Ok You all are missing the point. the POINT is that if u

R hunting in a blind and the shooter next to you has a

26" barrel ya better have ear plugs. Be kind to ur

hunting buddies get a 28" or 30". I have all ways wanted

to shoot a long tom a guy was telling me he had a single

10 with a 36" barrel anyone been shooting that?

Sorry. Buy a gun that won't hurt your friends' ears.

[Trany]

I shoot a 3 1/3 870 with the 28" barrel. This is a great gun for large Ducks and Geese. I have great far end range, but the close stuff gets a little tricky, so I am playing with choke tubes and loads to get it to an optimal range. This is a great gun for fields and water fowl in general. If you however use this for upland birds I would choose the 26" as you get a faster swing that helps with bagging birds.

[HugoBox]

Any length will work just fine - many have stated the obvious that with screw in chokes you can adapt to the situation. I'd buy him a gun based more on balance and fit. It he's not a big kid go shorter - if he's a 6 footer he may want to go longer.

Get him what fits best...

[fritz179]

I picked up a Remington 870 super mag two years ago and had the choice of 26 or 28 inches. I went with the 26 inches and I don't regret it at all. I'm a smaller guy and it seems to shoot and swing a lot smoother, than v.s. the 28 inch barrel I had previously. With the right chokes it performs very nicely. I'm sure the 28 inch is just as good though.

[paul pachowicz]

modern somkeless powders need a minimum of 26 inches of barrel to fully expand. Anything over 26 inches is giving you nothing more then a longer sighting plane. Your 26 inch barrel is going to swing quicker and weigh just alittle less. Good choice in the 26.

[jhanks50]

fritz179...what kind of choke are you using if you dont mind me asking?

[Bowfin]

Thanks - good info for me to consider.