Barrel Length When I first started shooting skeet 40 years ago, everyone shot a 26-inch barrel. Now 28-, 30-, 32- and even 34-inch are the popular lengths. My sporting clays guns have 28- and 30-inch barrels. What is the difference in breaking targets? My 28-inch will reach out as far as needed for standard targets. Is the sighting plane or lead different with a longer barrel? Ballistically speaking, there is no difference in shooting a shotgun with a 28-inch barrel length versus a 34-inch barrel except that the wad and shot exit the barrel 6 inches earlier. The decision on … [Read more...]
Ask the Instructor: Barrel Length
Barrel Length I am considering moving up to 32-inch barrels from 30-inch barrels. Most of the shooters at my club now shoot with 32-inch barrels. What are the pros and cons of moving to a longer barrel? With all other factors being equal (shell, load, etc.), there is no appreciable advantage in shooting a shotgun with a 34-inch or 32-inch barrel length over one with a 30-inch barrel. In recent years, the trend has been toward longer barrel lengths without regard to the size and height of the shooter or balance of the shotgun. This is a mistake, in my opinion. This trend is … [Read more...]
