26 vs 28

Can someone tell me the pros and cons of a 26 inch barrel and a 28 inch barrel. Thinking of getting a new shotgun and cant decide which length barrel to get. thanks craig

Well I really dont think it matters, it might help if you are have a kid and need a shorter barrel. What really matters is the choke and not the barrel length.

It comes down to what feels good to you. In the old days, longer barrles were needed to make further shots with lead shot. Now, the shells are designed by the manufactuers to shoot better out of performance chokes (screw in), which constrict the wads at the end of the barrel.

I shoot a 26" Browning Gold 3.5" in the duck blind. I also shoot a Beretta 390 in 28" for dove. The different barrel length helps with my swing. I need more swing for dove hunting and the extra barrel length, which translates into weight, keeps that gun swinging. I shoot a Ceasar Guerini O/U for sporting clays w/ 32" barrels where I need even more barrel swing.

What feels good to you will make you a better shot. As long as you can keep a gun moving, you can hit a moving target. As far as ballistics go, barrel length doesn't play as big a part in it anymore.

You can swing a 26" faster! It allows you to get on the Duck faster.

The longer barrel will give you much better pass shooting than the shorter one. Much better swing and follow through. That is what the literature says and thats what I have experienced. Works for me on doves, ducks, geese.

Get the 28"

One key difference, that will have an impact on your shooting success, with the 26" is a slightly larger pattern at any given distance. The shorter barrel allows the shot to start spreading that much sooner. Also, the shorter barrel is slightly less likely to hang up in a well brushed blind or hunting in heavy timber or grass. But it's not really that big of a difference. The right choke selection to compliment your grade of shot is the biggest key. A 26" barrel will swing exactly like a 28". It's simple math. And two inches of steel alloy is only a few ounces. Not enough weight to make a difference. I shoot Browning Gold 3.5" with a 26" barrel and a duck commander IM extended choke, and absolutely love it. I grew up shootin a Rem 1100 w/28" and Beretta's with 28" as well. I haven't changed my shells at all, and am more consistent with the Browning than I ever have been. I use 3" DryLok #3's on dux, and 2 3/4" AA #8's and 9's on doves. Had it for four years now and can't imagine improving the gun or my shot any more. Just go with what feels right for you though. Practice throwing the gun up like your takin a shot, while at the store, and see which gets you lined up to the bead the best. Try even closing your eyes and open once the gun is up. You should be able to have the rib lined up with your eyes without haveing to waste valuable time to adjust before taking a shot, cuz we have probably all been there at least once, and that's a shot missed.
Good Luck

I was told by a gunsmith that a londer barrel is just extra weight and dosn't give you all that many extra benefits that a good choke tub can't do, But the one thing it will help with is your swing through on passing shots. I personaly use a 24' because its easyer to get up and on target in cramped situations and is less weight.

Makes sense. I have a long range patternmaster for the bennelli, so if I get the 26 inch barrel, with the choke it will be close to a 28. Thanks for the help. I think I'll go with the 26

...twist goes the "Polly Choker"...cheers

With the new shot cups, barrel length is no longer a factor in shooting. A 26" will pattern identical to a 28" with the same shell. I choose to use a 24" barrel on my Super Black Eagle and a 26" on my Extrema II. I shoot low power 3" shells in #5 at ducks in the Extrema and have the 3.5" heavy shot #BBB loaded in the Bennelli in the corner of the blind for the geese should they come close.

A longer barrel will not shoot farther, it will hold the pattern tighter a little bit longer but its not that significant. A longer barrel will get you on your target quicker because the bead is further out in your line of sight. I started shooting a 30" barrel 3 years ago and found that you p/u your target much quicker. I guarantee your kill ratio will go up with a longer barrel.

Spread stays more compactic with a 28 inch which means longer shots and less crippled birds(if you hit them). A 26'inch is lighter and easier to swing around though. I personally love my 28" on my Browning I can reach up and touch them with it..

Being able to shoot "farther" and hold patterns together longer in a 28" versus a 26" is one of the biggest myths of wingshooting, there is absolutely no truth to it at all. You can throw out any perceived ballistic advantages/disadvantages between the two and simply make the decision on what fits your shooting style AND your hunting style. I sit in the grass and have small make-shift blinds so my 26" barrel is much easier to throw up in a blink and get a shot off. That said, my old beretta had a 28" barrel and I shot a Briley extended tube making it 29", there is no ballistic difference whatsoever. LOOK IT UP, ask someone who knows what they're talking about.

A longer barrel tends to help more novice shooters in that it offers a longer sight plane and the extra length to the barrel sort of acts as a bit of extra weight to help swing the barrel through the shot rather than stopping short. Pick them both up and buy what you like, just don't get conned into thinking you're going to kill more ducks at longer distances.

26

LSU nailed it. Talk to any reputable gun dealer and he will tell you exactly what LSU wrote. If I'm not mistaken, once you get over 18" of barrel length - its all about the choke. No differnce in pattern or distance based on length.

Lsu, didnt nail anything. You will swing it faster, make your mark faster! Get a 26" barrel. Put a patternmaster on it. Times have changed. Buy a Quality gun(Extrema2) AND PLAY BALL. Times of a Remington 1100 screw in choke are gone. Get with the program. This is 2008! Technology is a beautiful thing! Shoot 3.5" always! Stone them!

A 26" barrel will shoot further and the pattern difference is not that profound. A shorter barrel creates less friction and therefore a farther shot.

A 24" barrell in a duck blind is loud, Loud, LOUD. Went w/
a buddy w/a 24" and every shot rocked my ears...plus it struck me as easier to have an accident with.

Absolutely no difference 26 or 28"..... except the way the gun feels when it swings. Don't NEED them longer barrels with standard rifle calibers either. May get a little extra velocity, but dead is dead.

Look it up, they know.

I have another question. I think I'm gonna go with the Benelli Supernova 26 inch barrel. I have a extended range patternmaster. On the website it says if you shoot this particular choke with 2 3/4 or 3 inch shells you will get a full pattern. What will the pattern be with a 3.5 inch shell. I would think full also, but just want to make sure. Thanks for all the comments. Craig

It should pattern similarly, just watch your shot sizes. The larger shot sizes like 1, BB, etc. don't pattern worth a darn with full and similar constrictions, better to leave them a bit more open with a Mod. If you're shooting 2's-4's it should be just fine.

Lord forbid somebody is different than you. What works for you dont work for everyone else. Dont get offended because LSU didnt recommend your preference. Oh yeah i dont like a 26" barrel or an extrema 2. ( they suck )

The shorter the better (talking guns here). I took my 28" 1100 barrel cut it to 20" and had PolyChoke added to bring it back to 22". Handles, shoots, and patterns just fine!

That's funny......Go shoot one!

u didnt like my 30 inch improved modified last year..whats up with that?

HEY GZ
YOU SAID GET WITH TECHNOLOGY THINGS ARE EASIER
WHAT FUN IS HUNTING IF IT IS NOT A CHALLENGE

Curly, I just feel with the fishing & hunting pressure these days. I'll take every edge I can get. I like the EDGE!I like being so tired mid season that you literally, have to force yourself outa bed! To where ya say to yourself when you walk out the door, " Ok, deer or dux? But you are going". I like when my wife says,"tell me you aren't getting out this bed to hunt in the rain" and I mumble, "Got Too!".
I like to watch dux crumble at 45-50 yards! I like when that deer flips as ya take him on the run! I like that high flying Grey, right over the top, point the gun straight up and boom, oh, that hurts so good, it takes so long for splash down! I like a 100 yard deer, head shot, so, they make a quick running circle before they fall and when ya walk up on them, there are brains everywhere! I like waiting for dux to cross and getting two splashes! It keeps me in the game. I love it! I can't get enough!

well i guess i cant argue w/ that

Yea you right my brother!

G- I agree - Beretta makes a fine shot gun, I have one. I also have a Browning Gold 3 1/2 and a Benelli SBE and they are all excellent guns BUT, when I leave the house, I'm packing my Benelli SBE w/ a 26" barrel and Briley chokes. As for barrel lengths, shorter is lighter and ligher is faster - agreed but a 32" barrel ( have one of those too on a Browning A-5 ) will not shoot any further than a 20" barrel...... period.

Beretta 30" Xtrema2 is the only way to go!!!

The different barrel length helps with my swing. I need more swing for dove hunting and the extra barrel length, which translates into weight, keeps that gun swinging.

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