What Length.?

[tong po 129]

I'm sorry if this question has been asked many times before but here goes ,I'm about to buy my first shotgun and are getting conflicting answers from friends as to what barrel length to have,the gun will be used for all types of shooting ,clay and pigeon shooting being the main.the gun I was about to buy had 30 inch barrels but I'm being advised to get 28 inch . Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated .

[trenchfoot 4,243]

30" every day. 28" are handy if you expect to a lot of walking.

[Si-Fi 2]

Depends upon your build and what gauge shotgun you are after. If it's a semi-auto they are generally longer so beware

[tong po 129]

I'm after a o/u 12g and I'm 6'2" tall if that helps

[trenchfoot 4,243]

30" for certain. If you get "into" clay shooting then 30" will be good, to club level, but 28" will be a definite handicap, especially at 6'2"

[3175darren 1,101]

Try them both,over a few weekends if you can and buy the one that best suits,somebody at the clay club will let you try there's,

[Si-Fi 2]

Being relatively tall I'd go for at lest a 30" but try a 32"

Make sure the length of pull. The distance between the trigger and butt of the gun is long enough for you. (Around 14¾ - 15¼" but you need to try it again dependant upon your physical build.

Next is the height of your eye in relation to the bead. For sporting your eye should be looking almost along the rib. If it's to high your shoot over the targets and need to aim well under the clays to hit them. Worse still is if the comb (top of the stock) is to low. As your eye dips below the receiver your other eye will take over and you will miss the target up the left hand side (assuming you are right eyed / handed).

If you are round Oxford / Bicester or North Devon I can do a free gun fitting for your.

[trenchfoot 4,243]

Being relatively tall I'd go for at lest a 30" but try a 32" Make sure the length of pull. The distance between the trigger and butt of the gun is long enough for you. (Around 14¾ - 15¼" but you need to try it again dependant upon your physical build. Next is the height of your eye in relation to the bead. For sporting your eye should be looking almost along the rib. If it's to high your shoot over the targets and need to aim well under the clays to hit them. Worse still is if the comb (top of the stock) is to low. As your eye dips below the receiver your other eye will take over and you will miss the target up the left hand side (assuming you are right eyed / handed). If you are round Oxford / Bicester or North Devon I can do a free gun fitting for your.

All valid points, but dont confuse the lad. The offer of a gunfit session is grand though. I'll do the same if you are up W.yorks/ Lancs

[Si-Fi 2]

Fair point Trenchfoot

[tong po 129]

Thanks for the kind offer lads but I'm in staffordshire I've booked a session at my local ground to try a few different guns so I'll lit you know how I go on. Once again thanks for the advice and offers.