Length of Shotgun Barrel

[Nik_B 3,790]

If all goes well next tuesday I will have my SGC and will start to look for a gun.

 

So far I have used a 28" Browning Citori which I don't like, the grip feels too big.

 

My coach brought his 30" Miroku M70 which I shot very well but it felt very very heavy, in fact it was my left shoulder that was suffering rather than my right and I am right handed.

 

I have also been in a gun shop and tried out the Berettas which I dont like the feel of maybe the long barrel again?

 

The owner of the shop has a similar build to me and suggested I try out his Browning B25 B1 with a 27 1/2" barrel which felt really nice, probably because it was very light.

 

I'm only 5'7" and weight eleven stone so I'm not a big guy. I also I have had an operation on my right shoulder which has has heeled but my shoulders are weak as I have avoided doing too much lifting with them over the years.

 

So the B25 feels right but I can't try it out in advance and it isn't cheap at £2300. I shot very well with the miroku but it just felt too heavy and after 40 clays my shoulder was getting sore.

 

The b25 has a pretty short barrel, will it make any difference? is the 30" barrel of the M70 making me shoot better or is it just the fit?

 

P.S I want to shoot game both driven and rough shooting but will be doing a fair bit of clay shooting as well. I appreciate a light gun has more kick but I can use 21g shells for shooting loads of clays with and I would also buy a very good quality recoil pad.

 

 

Thanks in advance

[watchman 256]

If all goes well next tuesday I will have my SGC and will start to look for a gun.

 

So far I have used a 28" Browning Citori which I don't like, the grip feels too big.

 

My coach brought his 30" Miroku M70 which I shot very well but it felt very very heavy, in fact it was my left shoulder that was suffering rather than my right and I am right handed.

 

I have also been in a gun shop and tried out the Berettas which I dont like the feel of maybe the long barrel again?

 

The owner of the shop has a similar build to me and suggested I try out his Browning B25 B1 with a 27 1/2" barrel which felt really nice, probably because it was very light.

 

I'm only 5'7" and weight eleven stone so I'm not a big guy. I also I have had an operation on my right shoulder which has has heeled but my shoulders are weak as I have avoided doing too much lifting with them over the years.

 

So the B25 feels right but I can't try it out in advance and it isn't cheap at £2300. I shot very well with the miroku but it just felt too heavy and after 40 clays my shoulder was getting sore.

 

The b25 has a pretty short barrel, will it make any difference? is the 30" barrel of the M70 making me shoot better or is it just the fit?

 

P.S I want to shoot game both driven and rough shooting but will be doing a fair bit of clay shooting as well. I appreciate a light gun has more kick but I can use 21g shells for shooting loads of clays with and I would also buy a very good quality recoil pad.

 

 

Thanks in advance

your about the same stamp as me mate and i shoot with a s/s for the very reasons you said,just could not find an o/u that felt comfortable,most i tried were bulky and heavy,i only use an old spanish s/s with 26"barrels,nice and light easy to handle very comfortable for those long rough shooting walks,might be worth you trying one out,no point in having long barrels if your relatively short,gun swing and follow through may feel un-natural,comfort and gun fit is key to successful shooting,and just to cover my arse its only my opinion but getting it right first time will save you a load of hassle as i found to my cost running in and bying what i thought was ok before doing plenty of homework,good luck in your choice

[Nik_B 3,790]

Cheers mate

 

I might nip back to the gun shop and try a few more, So far the only gun I have picked up which felt really nice was the B25 but it's alot of money for a 2nd hand gun even though they are supposed to be very good. Not tried any S/S yet but a light over under should be ok. The guns I have used so far were fitted with KICK-EEZ recoil pads which are supposed to be very good.

 

The only other way of getting a lighter gun is to go down the 20 bore route but the cartriges are more expensive.

[Mastiff 7]

Nik,

 

How long have you been shooting a SG?

 

Only reason I ask is the first few times I put a box or two of cartridges through one I was sore but I have since learnt this was down to not mounting the gun correctly rather than recoil.

 

Like you I'm only 12 stone but 6' tall, so built like a snake.

 

My preference is Berettas with 32" barrels, no idea why it's just what suits me.

 

What ever you buy make sure your gun shop will let you take it back within 7 days if it doesn't suit you, most shops will do this if you ask.

 

ATB,

 

Mick.

[events co-ordinator 353]

Why cant you try out the browning I wouldnt pay 2 1/2 grand for a secondhand gun I couldnt try out?

[Nik_B 3,790]

It's not the recoil that is the problem, I am having lessons with a BASC coach so my mount is ok for a novice.

 

My problem is that my shoulders are weak due to various problems I have so holding anything heavy up can get a bit tiring. About 4 years ago I injured my right shoulder and because of that stopped doing any kind of upper body exercise as I was scared to do any more damage. I tend to pull neck muscles easily etc etc. A year ago I had an operation on the shoulder which has gone well but my left one is a bit shagged as well. I need to start doing light shoulder exercises really.

 

I don't mind about barrel length I just want a gun that is light and easy to handle.

[Nik_B 3,790]

Why cant you try out the browning I wouldnt pay 2 1/2 grand for a secondhand gun I couldnt try out?

 

I could ask the shop owner....never thought of that. I just assumed you couldn't test ride a shotgun.

[Mastiff 7]

My problem is that my shoulders are weak due to various problems I have so holding anything heavy up can get a bit tiring. About 4 years ago I injured my right shoulder and because of that stopped doing any kind of upper body exercise as I was scared to do any more damage. I tend to pull neck muscles easily etc etc. A year ago I had an operation on the shoulder which has gone well but my left one is a bit shagged as well. I need to start doing light shoulder exercises really.

 

May be a daft question but have you considered swimming three times a week?

 

Did wonders for me after a bad bike smash, nice and gradual but really improves muscle tone.

[danebrewer10 6]

shorter barrels handle quicker, grad a rake and try and swing it about by one end of the handle, then hold it halfway down, when you can change it's movement easier, for that reason I like 38" barrels, they handle, mount and swing a bit quicker, and they don't weigh as much which is a bonus for lots of walking, longer barreded guns seem in vogue ATM with clay shooters and high driven birds as they maintain their momentium better and help you follow through, I don't find I have that issue with my 28" barrels. you choose what works best for you!

[watchman 256]

shorter barrels handle quicker, grad a rake and try and swing it about by one end of the handle, then hold it halfway down, when you can change it's movement easier, for that reason I like 38" barrels, they handle, mount and swing a bit quicker, and they don't weigh as much which is a bonus for lots of walking, longer barreded guns seem in vogue ATM with clay shooters and high driven birds as they maintain their momentium better and help you follow through, I don't find I have that issue with my 28" barrels. you choose what works best for you!

the first 38 means 28 im guessing lol

[danebrewer10 6]

shorter barrels handle quicker, grad a rake and try and swing it about by one end of the handle, then hold it halfway down, when you can change it's movement easier, for that reason I like 38" barrels, they handle, mount and swing a bit quicker, and they don't weigh as much which is a bonus for lots of walking, longer barreded guns seem in vogue ATM with clay shooters and high driven birds as they maintain their momentium better and help you follow through, I don't find I have that issue with my 28" barrels. you choose what works best for you!

the first 38 means 28 im guessing lol

 

aah yes..... I did consider once creating a break action punt gun, but I thought I'm not fat heavy enough to counterbalance it..... :D

[gav22 24]

would you not try a semi auto the browning maxus hunter grade 3 is a great allrounder and its light as a feather with very little recoil you can shoot it at arms length with one hand and you have the choice of barrel length its not an expensive gun

[Nik_B 3,790]

shorter barrels handle quicker, grad a rake and try and swing it about by one end of the handle, then hold it halfway down, when you can change it's movement easier, for that reason I like 28" barrels, they handle, mount and swing a bit quicker, and they don't weigh as much which is a bonus for lots of walking

 

These are all reasons I imagine what made the B25 feel nicer than the longer and heavier sporters I have shot with.

 

I would prefer to buy just one shotgun which I can use for both clay and game and therefore a lighter gun would be nice. Does this make sense? I imagine that I can just use lighter 21/24g cartriges when shooting lots of clays.

 

I'm going to try and sit on my hands until I have picked up lots of different guns.

[danebrewer10 6]

shorter barrels handle quicker, grad a rake and try and swing it about by one end of the handle, then hold it halfway down, when you can change it's movement easier, for that reason I like 28" barrels, they handle, mount and swing a bit quicker, and they don't weigh as much which is a bonus for lots of walking

 

These are all reasons I imagine what made the B25 feel nicer than the longer and heavier sporters I have shot with.

 

I would prefer to buy just one shotgun which I can use for both clay and game and therefore a lighter gun would be nice. Does this make sense? I imagine that I can just use lighter 21/24g cartriges when shooting lots of clays.

 

I'm going to try and sit on my hands until I have picked up lots of different guns.

 

one gun lets you get really used to the way it feels so when you do have to take a really fast snap shot you'll be "one with the gun" I shoot 28gm clay loads through my beretta, I usually shoot 70 bird sporting, and you know you've shot, but there's no bruising or stiffness at all. I don't buy the really fast expensive loads, I just get whatevers cheapest, so long as it's not CCI Claybusters.... eurgh.... dirty horrid things that they are

[Ideation 8,216]

I use a number of different guns of varying barrel length for different jobs. The shortest is an AYA 25 inch, which i find ideal for the quick snap shooting needed for rough shooting, especially when in forestry when a longer barrel can get in the way. I have always used s/s although o/u are in vogue and find that they balance well and are very comfortable to shoot.