What are the drawbacks of short (18'' to 24'') barrels on turkey guns?
Short barrels
- Thread starter Iglow
- Start date
Zero!!! With the right shells and choke combo an 18 will shoot with any 28-30 without getting hung up on anything!!
I went 20" this year because I hunt in the thick stuff
I got a 19.5" plain barrel off ebay that's having the screw in choke system installed next week and am hoping for the best. It's a real difference in weight when you ditch the rib on a Mossberg. I put the gun on a scale and my 12 ga Mberg 500 with a plastic stock and corncob forend weight 6 lb 8 oz. My 20 ga 870 with a 21" ribbed bbl weighed 6.3.
sloughfoot
Well-Known Member
Who you having to thread the barrel?
As stated….. if you have the right choke system and shells, it will perform just as well. If you are taking ethical shots on turkeys within 40 yards. I doubt you ever see any difference.
Willysman
Well-Known Member
None. Has more advantages than drawbacks.
holstonangler
Well-Known Member
The pattern opens up more and lower velocities to be technical on shorter barrels
The main drawback I have seen is that you will be more affected by the muzzle blast. It is much louder to you with a short barrel. GOOD hearing protection is super important during patterning. And, some of the Walker's type hearing stuff that cuts off the blast and provides some protection isn't a bad idea while hunting. The short barrels will really "ring" your ears, and you never get that hearing back. I deal with that every day now.
Other than that, short barrels have more pros than cons.
Other than that, short barrels have more pros than cons.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
Agree, for turkey hunting.
One thing barely mentioned above, you will have a little less velocity with shorter barrels than with longer barrels, even using the same shell. Also, you may find at least slightly more uniform patterns with longer barrels.
But a shorter barrel for turkey hunting is usually more advantageous than any the small advantages of a longer barrel. Even more the case when an optical sight is being used.
Joe2Kool
Well-Known Member
With the same choke restriction, a more open pattern at a given distance. But as others have said, similar results can be achieved with a more restrictive choke.
My current Turkey gun. JK. With modern, fast burning powders, barrel length isn't as important as it used to be. So I would say get whatever is most comfortable.
Agreed. As long as all the powder is burning and not being blown out the end of the barrel, speed is not an issue. I've killed turkeys at a ranged 60 yds with my 3" 870 21" barrel!
Longbow2240
Well-Known Member
None at all.
Willysman
Well-Known Member
None
deerhunter10
Well-Known Member
Pros a lot
Cons loud, and it is basically a designated gun for turkeys. If that's going to be your gun just for turkeys go for it.
I shoot 26 and 28s because also dove hunt a ton and duck hunt some. I used to have a shotgun just for turkeys but since switching to 20 gauge I have guns for everything. Just preferred by me.
I will say this I have used shorter guns in the past and now use longer guns I think guys get hung up on the thought of getting snagged on everything going through the woods when in reality it doesn't happen much at all.
Cons loud, and it is basically a designated gun for turkeys. If that's going to be your gun just for turkeys go for it.
I shoot 26 and 28s because also dove hunt a ton and duck hunt some. I used to have a shotgun just for turkeys but since switching to 20 gauge I have guns for everything. Just preferred by me.
I will say this I have used shorter guns in the past and now use longer guns I think guys get hung up on the thought of getting snagged on everything going through the woods when in reality it doesn't happen much at all.
