How does shotgun barrel length effect patterns?
- Thread starter DiRTY DOG
- Start date
Ricky Bobby
New member
I'm not to sure it does! Especially when screw in chokes become part of the equation.
Orneryolfart357
New member
IM not a shotgun Guy, but Id have to guess that a longer barrel would keep the load tighter for a longer distance. I have shot a 410 out of a 10" contender and it wont kill a squirrel at 30 yds. Pattern gets too wide too fast. Just a guess.
Cal Kellogg
New member
I don't think the effect is great or even noticeable unless you go really short....as long as you are set up for screw in chokes. I would imagine you'd loose some velocity if you went below 22 or 20 inches or so, but that wouldn't be a pattern issue, it would be a penetration and muzzle blast issue....
Orneryolfart357
New member
Shane, so a 16" Barrel with a full choke would have the same effect as a 28" with the same choke?
GC
Well-known member
Cut-n-paste from a recent thread with my experiences and thoughts...
Generally speaking the longer barrels might tend to pattern somewhat better and will give slight increases in velocity. The velocity thing is very slight, like maybe 5 - 10 fps per inch of shotgun barrel depending upon the load. With field loads there is less of a difference than with a heavy magnum type load. This makes the velocity factor pretty much a non-issue when considering common hunting lengths like the difference between a 23" turkey specific barrel and a 26" wingshooting/general use barrel. For predator or turkey specific I really like 24" barrels with a close second being a 26" length.
Patterning is much the same kind of deal. The differences in individual barrels and chokes and how they react to a certain load can negate any advantage length may play in giving a better pattern. As an example, I have 18 1/2", 24", and 26" barrels for my two Benelli M1S90 semi-auto 12's and they all take the exact same chokes. The 24" and 26" are pretty much even in pattern densities with no clear advantage to either one. Most of the time both of those two will out pattern the shorter 18 1/2" barrel. Sometimes by a great degree, sometimes by not so much. However, in at least one instance the shortest barrel will out shoot the other two with a certain load and choke. Which reminds me that there are no set hard and fast rules and I always try to speak in general terms.
Generally speaking the longer barrels might tend to pattern somewhat better and will give slight increases in velocity. The velocity thing is very slight, like maybe 5 - 10 fps per inch of shotgun barrel depending upon the load. With field loads there is less of a difference than with a heavy magnum type load. This makes the velocity factor pretty much a non-issue when considering common hunting lengths like the difference between a 23" turkey specific barrel and a 26" wingshooting/general use barrel. For predator or turkey specific I really like 24" barrels with a close second being a 26" length.
Patterning is much the same kind of deal. The differences in individual barrels and chokes and how they react to a certain load can negate any advantage length may play in giving a better pattern. As an example, I have 18 1/2", 24", and 26" barrels for my two Benelli M1S90 semi-auto 12's and they all take the exact same chokes. The 24" and 26" are pretty much even in pattern densities with no clear advantage to either one. Most of the time both of those two will out pattern the shorter 18 1/2" barrel. Sometimes by a great degree, sometimes by not so much. However, in at least one instance the shortest barrel will out shoot the other two with a certain load and choke. Which reminds me that there are no set hard and fast rules and I always try to speak in general terms.
NcWhitetail
New member
I don't think patterns are affected to any measurable degree by barrel length. Choke restriction has a MUCH greater effect.
Keeping in mind each gun is an individual; I see little difference in full choke patterns from a 20" or a 28" barrel.
Keeping in mind each gun is an individual; I see little difference in full choke patterns from a 20" or a 28" barrel.
Orneryolfart357
New member
Interesting stuff..
joed
New member
I just went through this a short while ago. I detest shotguns with long barrels and see no reason for them. Sure they may have their use for shooting sports but in the field to me they seem useless.
The only purpose of the long barrel is for swing on birds as was explained to me.
The only purpose of the long barrel is for swing on birds as was explained to me.
derbyacresbob
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: joedI just went through this a short while ago. I detest shotguns with long barrels and see no reason for them. Sure they may have their use for shooting sports but in the field to me they seem useless.
The only purpose of the long barrel is for swing on birds as was explained to me.
I have killed quite a few coyotes with shotguns over the last 25 years or so. At least 40% of those shots on coyotes with my shotgun were very similar or just like shots that are taken on birds with a shotgun. If you don't swing out in front of a coyote that is running 25 mph to 40 mph you won't hit it with your pattern.
Longer shotgun barrels swing smoother and steadier than short barreled shotguns do. Skeet, Trap, Sporting Clays shooters, duck and goose hunters don't have any problems shooting 28" to 34" shotgun barrels.
The only reason all of the shotgun shooting sports shooters shoot shotguns with longer barrels is that they want to hit what they are shooting at.
So the effect that longer barrels have on patterns is, it is easier to put the pattern where you want it to be with a longer barrel.
Shooting coyotes with a shotgun is much closer to being like shooting flying birds than it is like shooting at standing turkeys.
The only purpose of the long barrel is for swing on birds as was explained to me.
I have killed quite a few coyotes with shotguns over the last 25 years or so. At least 40% of those shots on coyotes with my shotgun were very similar or just like shots that are taken on birds with a shotgun. If you don't swing out in front of a coyote that is running 25 mph to 40 mph you won't hit it with your pattern.
Longer shotgun barrels swing smoother and steadier than short barreled shotguns do. Skeet, Trap, Sporting Clays shooters, duck and goose hunters don't have any problems shooting 28" to 34" shotgun barrels.
The only reason all of the shotgun shooting sports shooters shoot shotguns with longer barrels is that they want to hit what they are shooting at.
So the effect that longer barrels have on patterns is, it is easier to put the pattern where you want it to be with a longer barrel.
Shooting coyotes with a shotgun is much closer to being like shooting flying birds than it is like shooting at standing turkeys.
Originally Posted By: Orneryolfart357Shane, so a 16" Barrel with a full choke would have the same effect as a 28" with the same choke?
In theory, yes. But that big of a difference in length will likely cause too much FPS differance and in turn affect patterns.
Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGIf a longer heavier shotgun barrel makes it EASIER to swing on birds, then how does a longer heavier centerfire barrel make it HARDER to swing on predators? Never could figure out that popular theory, makes no sense to me.
Longer sight plane. That's where it helps. The long sight plane helps point a wider pattern on moving, little critters or clays. Ever see how long those trap guns are?? Plus, with really tight chokes, like one uses for preds and turkeys, you must AIM the pattern, not point.
Clear as mud??
In theory, yes. But that big of a difference in length will likely cause too much FPS differance and in turn affect patterns.
Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGIf a longer heavier shotgun barrel makes it EASIER to swing on birds, then how does a longer heavier centerfire barrel make it HARDER to swing on predators? Never could figure out that popular theory, makes no sense to me.
Longer sight plane. That's where it helps. The long sight plane helps point a wider pattern on moving, little critters or clays. Ever see how long those trap guns are?? Plus, with really tight chokes, like one uses for preds and turkeys, you must AIM the pattern, not point.
Clear as mud??
SShooterZ
New member
Originally Posted By: NcWhitetailI don't think patterns are affected to any measurable degree by barrel length. Choke restriction has a MUCH greater effect.
Keeping in mind each gun is an individual; I see little difference in full choke patterns from a 20" or a 28" barrel.
That right there is the truth. The choke will have the greatest effect. Barrel length will have a little to no discernible affect on pattern or velocity as shotguns do not act like rifles.
Barrel length really has an effect on what YOU are comfortable with. I pheasant hunt with a 26" 20ga, duck and goose hunt with a 28" 12 gauge and shoot trap with a 32" 12 gauge. Each serving the best purpose for MY needs.
Keeping in mind each gun is an individual; I see little difference in full choke patterns from a 20" or a 28" barrel.
That right there is the truth. The choke will have the greatest effect. Barrel length will have a little to no discernible affect on pattern or velocity as shotguns do not act like rifles.
Barrel length really has an effect on what YOU are comfortable with. I pheasant hunt with a 26" 20ga, duck and goose hunt with a 28" 12 gauge and shoot trap with a 32" 12 gauge. Each serving the best purpose for MY needs.
DiRTY DOG
Well-known member
So then, if a longer barrel only helps you aim better with a bead sight, any shotgun with rifle type sights or optics completely negates the "need" for a longer barrel and accompanying longer sight radius. A longer barrel will not keep your pattern tighter, nor will it increase velocity to any real degree. Yes? So a purpose built predator shotgun would have a short barrel for ease of use plus decent sights like ghost ring or rifle sights or optics like a red dot.
Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGSo then, if a longer barrel only helps you aim better with a bead sight, any shotgun with rifle type sights or optics completely negates the "need" for a longer barrel and accompanying longer sight radius. A longer barrel will not keep your pattern tighter, nor will it increase velocity to any real degree. Yes? So a purpose built predator shotgun would have a short barrel for ease of use plus decent sights like ghost ring or rifle sights or optics like a red dot.
Yep. You are no longer using the barrels and advantageous sight plane. That's why.
Yep. You are no longer using the barrels and advantageous sight plane. That's why.
Mousedipper
New member
To all concerned, A 16" bbl on a shotgun is illegal. Must be 18 inches. A rifle may have a 16 inch barrel, and a pistol cannot have a barrel longer than 16 inches.
Just trivia
Dave
Just trivia
Dave
SShooterZ
New member
Take a look at any of the cantilever barrels that are typically used for deer hunting and slug shooting. Common lengths are between 18.5 and 21 inches. But most of those shots are also taken on stationary game from a tree stand of sorts. They are usually equipped with rifle sights or a scope and probably harvest a ton of deer every year.
I think I would be more concerned with what load I was shooting. Just about any shotgun will do the trick. What I would look at is pattern density and accuracy out to certain distances to ensure whenever you pull the trigger, on whatever you're shooting, it puts them on the money maker.
If I was building a predator shotgun, I would go with a 24" or 26" barrel and test, test and test some more the chokes and loads that gave me the best patterns at the distances I think I will be shooting at.
I think I would be more concerned with what load I was shooting. Just about any shotgun will do the trick. What I would look at is pattern density and accuracy out to certain distances to ensure whenever you pull the trigger, on whatever you're shooting, it puts them on the money maker.
If I was building a predator shotgun, I would go with a 24" or 26" barrel and test, test and test some more the chokes and loads that gave me the best patterns at the distances I think I will be shooting at.
DiRTY DOG
Well-known member
So why the long barrel?
It's been said here a thousand times... Short barrels on rifles are recommended because they're lighter to carry and easier to swing on a coyote especially in brush.
But when you choose a shotgun, for action likely in thicker brush and certainly up close at short distances, you actually prefer a longer and heavier barrel.
You lost me there...
It's been said here a thousand times... Short barrels on rifles are recommended because they're lighter to carry and easier to swing on a coyote especially in brush.
But when you choose a shotgun, for action likely in thicker brush and certainly up close at short distances, you actually prefer a longer and heavier barrel.
You lost me there...