24" Barrell, Good Idea Or Not?

[Tyla 3,179]

Thanks SS

[shropshire dan 467]

Nice one ss. I use the maximums because I know the shell and how they perform in my gun. I find them really good and will often push ranges to 45yards consistently using 34g no.5. Using a heavy load in larger shot size makes up the pellet count

 

Atb

Dan

[Alsone 789]

The biggest difference in barrel length effects is accuracy although this is down to the shooter and their sighting more than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

 

With a longer barrel the gun is slower to swing and so lends itself to a steadier and smoother swing, and the sight plane is longer (the additional weight also helps here further). This tends towards accuracy at the expense of speed. Hence why trap shooters tend towards 32" barrels and sporting shooters 28" or 30" barrels. The longer the sight plane and the smoother and steadier the swing, the the easier it is to target the target.

 

With a shorter barrel, the gun is quicker to swing and so the swing is less steady and less smooth, and the sight plane is shorter. This leads to less accuracy at the expense of response.

 

A super short barrel such as a 24" therefore is going to be quick to swing, but potentially less accurate in the hands of the shooter (if you put two guns in a vice and shot them, I doubt there would be much difference - probably a slightly faster spread from the shorter barrel).

 

The ideal scenario therefore for such a gun is one where targets are close or very fast such as bolting rabbits or birds that pass close in on a particular drive or hide situation.

 

A lot of older game guns tended to be shorter so it shouldn't be ruled out because of its length alone, as shorter guns have been used for years, but I think you'll tend to find a shorter gun less accurate at range than a longer gun with the advantage that close in, it will swing better.

[SportingShooter 0]

The biggest difference in barrel length effects is accuracy although this is down to the shooter and their sighting more than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

 

With a longer barrel the gun is slower to swing and so lends itself to a steadier and smoother swing, and the sight plane is longer (the additional weight also helps here further). This tends towards accuracy at the expense of speed. Hence why trap shooters tend towards 32" barrels and sporting shooters 28" or 30" barrels. The longer the sight plane and the smoother and steadier the swing, the the easier it is to target the target.

 

With a shorter barrel, the gun is quicker to swing and so the swing is less steady and less smooth, and the sight plane is shorter. This leads to less accuracy at the expense of response.

 

A super short barrel such as a 24" therefore is going to be quick to swing, but potentially less accurate in the hands of the shooter (if you put two guns in a vice and shot them, I doubt there would be much difference - probably a slightly faster spread from the shorter barrel).

 

The ideal scenario therefore for such a gun is one where targets are close or very fast such as bolting rabbits or birds that pass close in on a particular drive or hide situation.

 

A lot of older game guns tended to be shorter so it shouldn't be ruled out because of its length alone, as shorter guns have been used for years, but I think you'll tend to find a shorter gun less accurate at range than a longer gun with the advantage that close in, it will swing better.

 

The barrel length has nothing to do with accuracy.

 

You're right in what you say about the speed in which you can acquire a target and the speed in which the gun will swing.

 

If you use your test of two guns in a vice which are exactly the same with exactly the same chokes then at 35 yards they would throw the same pattern.

 

Ultimately, a shorter barrel will be quicker to swing but it's the old adage of practice makes perfect, the shooter will get used to it. I own a 26" Skeet gun which has an added weight in the stock to make the barrels swing faster, it took me months to get used to it from a 30" sporter but it breaks clays just the same.

[fox digger 1,086]

 

The biggest difference in barrel length effects is accuracy although this is down to the shooter and their sighting more than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

 

With a longer barrel the gun is slower to swing and so lends itself to a steadier and smoother swing, and the sight plane is longer (the additional weight also helps here further). This tends towards accuracy at the expense of speed. Hence why trap shooters tend towards 32" barrels and sporting shooters 28" or 30" barrels. The longer the sight plane and the smoother and steadier the swing, the the easier it is to target the target.

 

With a shorter barrel, the gun is quicker to swing and so the swing is less steady and less smooth, and the sight plane is shorter. This leads to less accuracy at the expense of response.

 

A super short barrel such as a 24" therefore is going to be quick to swing, but potentially less accurate in the hands of the shooter (if you put two guns in a vice and shot them, I doubt there would be much difference - probably a slightly faster spread from the shorter barrel).

 

The ideal scenario therefore for such a gun is one where targets are close or very fast such as bolting rabbits or birds that pass close in on a particular drive or hide situation.

 

A lot of older game guns tended to be shorter so it shouldn't be ruled out because of its length alone, as shorter guns have been used for years, but I think you'll tend to find a shorter gun less accurate at range than a longer gun with the advantage that close in, it will swing better.

 

The barrel length has nothing to do with accuracy.

 

You're right in what you say about the speed in which you can acquire a target and the speed in which the gun will swing.

 

If you use your test of two guns in a vice which are exactly the same with exactly the same chokes then at 35 yards they would throw the same pattern.

 

Ultimately, a shorter barrel will be quicker to swing but it's the old adage of practice makes perfect, the shooter will get used to it. I own a 26" Skeet gun which has an added weight in the stock to make the barrels swing faster, it took me months to get used to it from a 30" sporter but it breaks clays just the same.

 

 

im not fully convinced on that mate, i remember i did put up sheets of paper on a pallet at 35-40 yards with same ammo and same chokes in two guns, one with 26" barrels and the other 28". the 26" barrels had alot more spread and not as tight a pattern as the 28" barrels.

im far from an expert and only know from what i shoot but my old man has an old relic of stevens hammer action single barrel, we call it the goose gun, 32" barrels. this gun will bowl a fox over at a great distance and seems to be a harder hitting gun than than any of our 28" game guns. when we are shooting foxes with the beagles and he gets a shot he ever only needs the single shot and 9 of of 10 times charlie never moves from where he fell, sometimes at great distance, there is always a joke about "the goose gun" knocking them when alot wouldnt think they are out of range....... is there any facts behind our theory on this or is it simple down to the shooter?

[Furittus 35]

Barrel length is really down to personal preference, I personally like 30" barrels for the sake of point ability, but once had a friend who was 6,5" tall and he shot a webley & scott side by side with 25" barrels, it was like a toy gun in the hands of a giant but he shot it as well as any gun, he was an excellent game shot and shot at many gundog trails, but if possible stay away from the Hatsan Escort, I know several young lads who have went that way, some have performed well, but most have been returned to the dealer or traded in, but whatever you decide to do, don't let barrel length put you of, and enjoy.

[Alsone 789]

 

The biggest difference in barrel length effects is accuracy although this is down to the shooter and their sighting more than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

 

With a longer barrel the gun is slower to swing and so lends itself to a steadier and smoother swing, and the sight plane is longer (the additional weight also helps here further). This tends towards accuracy at the expense of speed. Hence why trap shooters tend towards 32" barrels and sporting shooters 28" or 30" barrels. The longer the sight plane and the smoother and steadier the swing, the the easier it is to target the target.

 

With a shorter barrel, the gun is quicker to swing and so the swing is less steady and less smooth, and the sight plane is shorter. This leads to less accuracy at the expense of response.

 

A super short barrel such as a 24" therefore is going to be quick to swing, but potentially less accurate in the hands of the shooter (if you put two guns in a vice and shot them, I doubt there would be much difference - probably a slightly faster spread from the shorter barrel).

 

The ideal scenario therefore for such a gun is one where targets are close or very fast such as bolting rabbits or birds that pass close in on a particular drive or hide situation.

 

A lot of older game guns tended to be shorter so it shouldn't be ruled out because of its length alone, as shorter guns have been used for years, but I think you'll tend to find a shorter gun less accurate at range than a longer gun with the advantage that close in, it will swing better.

 

The barrel length has nothing to do with accuracy.

 

You're right in what you say about the speed in which you can acquire a target and the speed in which the gun will swing.

 

If you use your test of two guns in a vice which are exactly the same with exactly the same chokes then at 35 yards they would throw the same pattern.

 

Ultimately, a shorter barrel will be quicker to swing but it's the old adage of practice makes perfect, the shooter will get used to it. I own a 26" Skeet gun which has an added weight in the stock to make the barrels swing faster, it took me months to get used to it from a 30" sporter but it breaks clays just the same.

 

 

I did say that SS, that if you put the 2 in a vice there would be no difference.

 

The accuracy difference comes from the shooter / gun combination in so far as its easier to aim down a longer sight plain and with a steadier swing.

 

I too prefer 30" Furittus.

Edited April 8, 2014 by Alsone

[Furittus 35]

[Tyla 3,179]

Well, for better or worse I picked it up today. Took it out for a walk round the woods with the terrier and shot a pigeon and squirrel, the pigeon with the first shot with the new gun which has to be a good sign. I missed a couple more but that's pretty much par for the course whatever gun I use!

 

I'm pretty happy with it so far

[shropshire dan 467]

Happy days Tyla. Have fun mate

 

Happy hunting

Atb

Dan

[fox digger 1,086]

Well, for better or worse I picked it up today. Took it out for a walk round the woods with the terrier and shot a pigeon and squirrel, the pigeon with the first shot with the new gun which has to be a good sign. I missed a couple more but that's pretty much par for the course whatever gun I use!

 

I'm pretty happy with it so far

 

you didnt miss them, you stuck lead in them and they stayed going!! fekin skatter gun!!! lol, only jokin mate, the best i ever shot was when i first started out with a single barrell baikal, it was down to knowing i only had one shot and i did great with it, now when a bird gets up it usually on the second shot that im knocking him!! its all a confidence thing i think, let us know in a few weeks how your finding it,

[SportingShooter 0]

 

 

The biggest difference in barrel length effects is accuracy although this is down to the shooter and their sighting more than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

 

With a longer barrel the gun is slower to swing and so lends itself to a steadier and smoother swing, and the sight plane is longer (the additional weight also helps here further). This tends towards accuracy at the expense of speed. Hence why trap shooters tend towards 32" barrels and sporting shooters 28" or 30" barrels. The longer the sight plane and the smoother and steadier the swing, the the easier it is to target the target.

 

With a shorter barrel, the gun is quicker to swing and so the swing is less steady and less smooth, and the sight plane is shorter. This leads to less accuracy at the expense of response.

 

A super short barrel such as a 24" therefore is going to be quick to swing, but potentially less accurate in the hands of the shooter (if you put two guns in a vice and shot them, I doubt there would be much difference - probably a slightly faster spread from the shorter barrel).

 

The ideal scenario therefore for such a gun is one where targets are close or very fast such as bolting rabbits or birds that pass close in on a particular drive or hide situation.

 

A lot of older game guns tended to be shorter so it shouldn't be ruled out because of its length alone, as shorter guns have been used for years, but I think you'll tend to find a shorter gun less accurate at range than a longer gun with the advantage that close in, it will swing better.

 

The barrel length has nothing to do with accuracy.

 

You're right in what you say about the speed in which you can acquire a target and the speed in which the gun will swing.

 

If you use your test of two guns in a vice which are exactly the same with exactly the same chokes then at 35 yards they would throw the same pattern.

 

Ultimately, a shorter barrel will be quicker to swing but it's the old adage of practice makes perfect, the shooter will get used to it. I own a 26" Skeet gun which has an added weight in the stock to make the barrels swing faster, it took me months to get used to it from a 30" sporter but it breaks clays just the same.

 

 

im not fully convinced on that mate, i remember i did put up sheets of paper on a pallet at 35-40 yards with same ammo and same chokes in two guns, one with 26" barrels and the other 28". the 26" barrels had alot more spread and not as tight a pattern as the 28" barrels.

im far from an expert and only know from what i shoot but my old man has an old relic of stevens hammer action single barrel, we call it the goose gun, 32" barrels. this gun will bowl a fox over at a great distance and seems to be a harder hitting gun than than any of our 28" game guns. when we are shooting foxes with the beagles and he gets a shot he ever only needs the single shot and 9 of of 10 times charlie never moves from where he fell, sometimes at great distance, there is always a joke about "the goose gun" knocking them when alot wouldnt think they are out of range....... is there any facts behind our theory on this or is it simple down to the shooter?

 

 

Thing is FD, the two different guns may both have the same choke fitted e.g. 1/2 in both, but the different make of choke, the different barrel diameter, the length of barrel dedicated to choking will all differ and as with all things ballistics, the slightest change will make a difference.

 

For instance, I once had a Beretta AL391 semi-auto which had standard factory multichokes which were fairly old. With a 28g Eley VIP 7 1/2, the half choke would throw a far wider pattern than my modern Miroku with a finely tuned 1/2 choke which was a true 1/2 compared to the actual bore of the gun, both 30" barreled guns. I have photos of the pattern plates somewhere.

 

I dare say it would be quite easy to make a 24" gun throw a tighter pattern with a 3/4 choke than a 32" gun with it's full choke in. They're all so different.

 

I think much of it is down to confidence and seeing what you want to see. Your dad has confidence in his old "goose gun" and everything drops, which is the same with my Side-by-Side for game shooting, it's not expensive but I'm confident to shoot almost anything with it and knowing the old Stevens single barrels, it's probably choked at extra, extra full and a bit more on top...

 

 

 

The biggest difference in barrel length effects is accuracy although this is down to the shooter and their sighting more than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

 

With a longer barrel the gun is slower to swing and so lends itself to a steadier and smoother swing, and the sight plane is longer (the additional weight also helps here further). This tends towards accuracy at the expense of speed. Hence why trap shooters tend towards 32" barrels and sporting shooters 28" or 30" barrels. The longer the sight plane and the smoother and steadier the swing, the the easier it is to target the target.

 

With a shorter barrel, the gun is quicker to swing and so the swing is less steady and less smooth, and the sight plane is shorter. This leads to less accuracy at the expense of response.

 

A super short barrel such as a 24" therefore is going to be quick to swing, but potentially less accurate in the hands of the shooter (if you put two guns in a vice and shot them, I doubt there would be much difference - probably a slightly faster spread from the shorter barrel).

 

The ideal scenario therefore for such a gun is one where targets are close or very fast such as bolting rabbits or birds that pass close in on a particular drive or hide situation.

 

A lot of older game guns tended to be shorter so it shouldn't be ruled out because of its length alone, as shorter guns have been used for years, but I think you'll tend to find a shorter gun less accurate at range than a longer gun with the advantage that close in, it will swing better.

 

The barrel length has nothing to do with accuracy.

 

You're right in what you say about the speed in which you can acquire a target and the speed in which the gun will swing.

 

If you use your test of two guns in a vice which are exactly the same with exactly the same chokes then at 35 yards they would throw the same pattern.

 

Ultimately, a shorter barrel will be quicker to swing but it's the old adage of practice makes perfect, the shooter will get used to it. I own a 26" Skeet gun which has an added weight in the stock to make the barrels swing faster, it took me months to get used to it from a 30" sporter but it breaks clays just the same.

 

 

I did say that SS, that if you put the 2 in a vice there would be no difference.

 

The accuracy difference comes from the shooter / gun combination in so far as its easier to aim down a longer sight plain and with a steadier swing.

 

I too prefer 30" Furittus.

 

 

It depends on how you shoot really,

 

I've never found much substance in the theory behind a longer sight plane makes you a better shot, it's more practice and confidence in your gun. Besides, a longer sight plane and slower swing can be a hindrance in a lot of circumstances, particularly field shooting.

 

I suppose it may be easier for clays when you have an idea of where the bird is coming from each time so you don't rush your shot and snap at it but it would depend on the type of target. Skeet shooting was almost exclusively done with short barrels until a fairly recent preference for something slightly longer with Olympic skeet's gaining popularity.

 

Besides, this is all hypothetical and I dare say unhelpful to the OP who would be better off finding all these things out by trial and error, that's how you know when something feels/shoots right or not.

[Tyla 3,179]

Shooting ok so far, had a little walk out tonight to get a mate some ferret food and succeeded. Was hoping for a couple of pigeons but made do with a rabbit. The gun seems to suit how I shoot ie; if it takes me by surprise and I take a snapshot I've a good chance of hitting it but if I have time to think I'll probably miss!