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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2888474
08/26/19 09:54 AM
08/26/19 09:54 AM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 19,982 Northport, AL
GomerPyle
Impatient Stinky Britches Wearin’ Off-Roadin’ Guru
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Impatient Stinky Britches Wearin’ Off-Roadin’ Guru
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 19,982
Northport, AL
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I'd say 22ish. My Winchester 1300 is 24", plus like an extra 1" or 1.25" for the extended choke. Does barrel length affect shotgun ballistics as much as it does with rifles? If this 20ga Stoeger becomes just a turkey gun instead of a do-it-all gun, I'll have the barrel cut down to probably 22".
Last edited by GomerPyle; 08/26/19 09:56 AM.
There are 3 certainties in an uncertain world:
1. All Politicians Are Liars 2. All Gun Laws Are an Infringement 3. Taxation Is Theft
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2888475
08/26/19 09:55 AM
08/26/19 09:55 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,561 Tuscaloosa Co.
N2TRKYS
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,561
Tuscaloosa Co.
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I've got a 21" barrel on my 870 Youth. To me, that's about perfect. It makes shooting it with a bead much tougher for me. A red dot did away with that issue, though.
83% of all statistics are made up.
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2888477
08/26/19 09:55 AM
08/26/19 09:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7,864
sj22
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7,864
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I’ve always used 24 or 26 and I like em but many like the really short barrels
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Festus]
#2888560
08/26/19 11:13 AM
08/26/19 11:13 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 21,751 USA
Remington270
OP
Freak of Nature
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OP
Freak of Nature
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 21,751
USA
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26" on the 10 Gauge....plus the choke tube.....but I also use it for Waterfowl. You just made my shoulder hurt reading about that!
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2888575
08/26/19 11:38 AM
08/26/19 11:38 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 11,778 Huntsville
JUGHEAD
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 11,778
Huntsville
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I have an 18.5" barrel on my 870 20 gauge. No way I would go back to something longer.
"The only reason I shoot a 3.5" shell for turkeys is because they don't make a 4" one." - t123winters
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2888801
08/26/19 04:29 PM
08/26/19 04:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,062
blade
12 point
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12 point
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,062
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: JUGHEAD]
#2888907
08/26/19 06:41 PM
08/26/19 06:41 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,816 North Alabama
Hevishot13
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,816
North Alabama
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I have an 18.5" barrel on my 870 20 gauge. No way I would go back to something longer. say you like short barrels Chad? 🙊
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2888911
08/26/19 06:47 PM
08/26/19 06:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 38,489 N. Bama
257wbymag
Boo Boo Head
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Boo Boo Head
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 38,489
N. Bama
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You like long black ones.
Quietly killing turkeys where youre not!!! My tank full of give a fraks been runnin on empty I'm the paterfamilias
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2889295
08/27/19 07:43 AM
08/27/19 07:43 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 36,092 alabama
BhamFred
Freak of Nature
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Freak of Nature
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 36,092
alabama
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I sent a gun to Stan Baker, the US Olympic Skeet teams gunsmith in Cali in the late 60s/70s. He chronoed an 870 bbl by the inch and told me to make it 25" because the velocity loss from 30 to 25 was slow and gradual but below 25 it dropped off fast. So he cut my bbl to 25 and installed one of his custom chokes in it...building the first modern turkey gun in the US, or world as far as I know. His choke system was later bought by Winchester and became WinChokes, the first commercial screw in choke.
I've spent most of the money I've made in my lifetime on hunting and fishing. The rest I just wasted.....
proud Cracker-Americaan
muslims are like coyotes, only good one is a dead one
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2889339
08/27/19 08:22 AM
08/27/19 08:22 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 30,910 Clanton, AL
Out back
Grumpy Old Man
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Grumpy Old Man
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 30,910
Clanton, AL
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I have found a few things, in life, that always hold true. Your work shop can never be too big. Your wife can never want too much lovin. You will never have too many toys. And the barrel of your favorite turkey gun can never be too short.
My opinions and comments are my own. They do not reflect the position or political opinions of Aldeer or any of the Aldeer administration.
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Hevishot13]
#2889383
08/27/19 08:48 AM
08/27/19 08:48 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 11,778 Huntsville
JUGHEAD
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 11,778
Huntsville
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I have an 18.5" barrel on my 870 20 gauge. No way I would go back to something longer. say you like short barrels Chad? 🙊 Don't necessarily like it. But I have lots of experience wielding one though....a lifetime's worth!
"The only reason I shoot a 3.5" shell for turkeys is because they don't make a 4" one." - t123winters
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: JUGHEAD]
#2889386
08/27/19 08:50 AM
08/27/19 08:50 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 30,910 Clanton, AL
Out back
Grumpy Old Man
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Grumpy Old Man
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 30,910
Clanton, AL
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I have an 18.5" barrel on my 870 20 gauge. No way I would go back to something longer. say you like short barrels Chad? 🙊 Don't necessarily like it. But I have lots of experience wielding one though....a lifetime's worth! Girth is better than length.
My opinions and comments are my own. They do not reflect the position or political opinions of Aldeer or any of the Aldeer administration.
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: JUGHEAD]
#2889485
08/27/19 10:24 AM
08/27/19 10:24 AM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,816 North Alabama
Hevishot13
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,816
North Alabama
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I have an 18.5" barrel on my 870 20 gauge. No way I would go back to something longer. say you like short barrels Chad? 🙊 Don't necessarily like it. But I have lots of experience wielding one though....a lifetime's worth! Well played pal! 👏🏻
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2892164
08/30/19 07:54 AM
08/30/19 07:54 AM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,911 Pine Hill, Al
Todd1700
12 point
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12 point
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,911
Pine Hill, Al
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With todays denser than lead shot there is no problem getting a great pattern out of a short barrel. And a shorter barrel is way more maneuverable if you have to set up in thick cover. The barrel on my turkey gun is 20 inches.
The best index to a person’s character is (a) how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and (b) how he treats people who can’t fight back. - Abigail van Buren
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2908436
09/19/19 08:50 PM
09/19/19 08:50 PM
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 52 Shelby County, AL
NameAlreadyInUse
spike
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spike
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 52
Shelby County, AL
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I think 22" may be ideal. No doubt more convenient in thick cover, and honestly, if you're in thick cover you're likely taking a shot inside of 30 yards; so it's not like shot pattern is as critical, plenty of loads and chokes out there for a good pattern inside 30 yds. I hunted turkey in earnest for the first time this year with my old 28" Maverick 88. I really didn't find myself wishing I had a shorter barrel though, and enjoyed the added sight radius (using 3-dot adjustable).
Also, it irritates me how the market is - it seems like the "turkey" guns command a premium compared to the equivalent "field" gun setup with a longer barrel. I know there is a lot of voodoo involved in the making of a good shotgun barrel, but it really seems like you're paying mostly for the trademarked camo finish. As a new turkey hunter, if I had to recommend gear to someone else getting into the sport - I'd say buy the cheaper, longer-barreled 870/500 and spend the extra change on some 3-dot adjustable sights, a good choke tube, ammo, and a handful of Woodhaven mouth calls.
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: NameAlreadyInUse]
#2908611
09/20/19 07:13 AM
09/20/19 07:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,340 Jackson County
BrentM
Mr. Turkey
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Mr. Turkey
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,340
Jackson County
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As a new turkey hunter, if I had to recommend gear to someone else getting into the sport - I'd say buy the cheaper, longer-barreled 870/500 and spend the extra change on some 3-dot adjustable sights. As a new turkey hunter ...... you just haven’t gotten hung up in enough vines, limbs, fences, and sticks or gotten binded up and pinned down enough times to fully realize all the benefits of a short barrel. You will get there if you stick with it though I promise.
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: BrentM]
#2908663
09/20/19 08:51 AM
09/20/19 08:51 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,842 Montgomery / Luverne
crenshawco
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,842
Montgomery / Luverne
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As a new turkey hunter, if I had to recommend gear to someone else getting into the sport - I'd say buy the cheaper, longer-barreled 870/500 and spend the extra change on some 3-dot adjustable sights. As a new turkey hunter ...... you just haven’t gotten hung up in enough vines, limbs, fences, and sticks or gotten binded up and pinned down enough times to fully realize all the benefits of a short barrel. You will get there if you stick with it though I promise. Some lessons are best learned through experience. I think that's part of what is so fun about turkey hunting
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: BrentM]
#2908664
09/20/19 08:52 AM
09/20/19 08:52 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,062
blade
12 point
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12 point
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,062
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As a new turkey hunter, if I had to recommend gear to someone else getting into the sport - I'd say buy the cheaper, longer-barreled 870/500 and spend the extra change on some 3-dot adjustable sights. As a new turkey hunter ...... you just haven’t gotten hung up in enough vines, limbs, fences, and sticks or gotten binded up and pinned down enough times to fully realize all the benefits of a short barrel. You will get there if you stick with it though I promise. That'll preach Brother.
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: blade]
#2908704
09/20/19 09:52 AM
09/20/19 09:52 AM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,584 Spanish Fort
TurkeyJoe
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,584
Spanish Fort
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As a new turkey hunter, if I had to recommend gear to someone else getting into the sport - I'd say buy the cheaper, longer-barreled 870/500 and spend the extra change on some 3-dot adjustable sights. As a new turkey hunter ...... you just haven’t gotten hung up in enough vines, limbs, fences, and sticks or gotten binded up and pinned down enough times to fully realize all the benefits of a short barrel. You will get there if you stick with it though I promise. That'll preach Brother. I think it’s notable that a shorter stock can be as important as a short barrel when you are in a bind.
Micah 6:8
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2908705
09/20/19 09:55 AM
09/20/19 09:55 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 36,092 alabama
BhamFred
Freak of Nature
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Freak of Nature
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 36,092
alabama
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anyone who cannot effectively use a 24/25 inch barrel turkey hunting needs to take up knitting and stay out of the woods. That statement is based on 50+ years and a couple hundred kills in the turkey woods. Nuff said.
I've spent most of the money I've made in my lifetime on hunting and fishing. The rest I just wasted.....
proud Cracker-Americaan
muslims are like coyotes, only good one is a dead one
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: BhamFred]
#2908723
09/20/19 10:30 AM
09/20/19 10:30 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,062
blade
12 point
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12 point
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,062
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anyone who cannot effectively use a 24/25 inch barrel turkey hunting needs to take up knitting and stay out of the woods. That statement is based on 50+ years and a couple hundred kills in the turkey woods. Nuff said. I killed a truck load with a 1976 28" barrel shiny stocked1100 (2 3/4" chamber), but I sure do like hunting with that short barrel a lot more.
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: BrentM]
#2908827
09/20/19 02:13 PM
09/20/19 02:13 PM
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 52 Shelby County, AL
NameAlreadyInUse
spike
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spike
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 52
Shelby County, AL
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As a new turkey hunter, if I had to recommend gear to someone else getting into the sport - I'd say buy the cheaper, longer-barreled 870/500 and spend the extra change on some 3-dot adjustable sights. As a new turkey hunter ...... you just haven’t gotten hung up in enough vines, limbs, fences, and sticks or gotten binded up and pinned down enough times to fully realize all the benefits of a short barrel. You will get there if you stick with it though I promise. No I get it, like I said 22” might be ideal. I’m just saying it’s not the end of the world if all you’ve got is a 28” barrel. Some people might be watching this thread thinking about trying for their first gobbler and thinking they won’t be successful without a purpose built turkey gun.
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: BhamFred]
#2908831
09/20/19 02:21 PM
09/20/19 02:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,340 Jackson County
BrentM
Mr. Turkey
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Mr. Turkey
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,340
Jackson County
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anyone who cannot effectively use a 24/25 inch barrel turkey hunting needs to take up knitting and stay out of the woods. That statement is based on 50+ years and a couple hundred kills in the turkey woods. Nuff said. Just think about how many you could have killed with a 21” barrel!
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2908849
09/20/19 03:05 PM
09/20/19 03:05 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 36,092 alabama
BhamFred
Freak of Nature
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Freak of Nature
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 36,092
alabama
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somewhere I have a 12 1/2 with a screw in choke....ought to be hell on those close in briar patch birds......
I've spent most of the money I've made in my lifetime on hunting and fishing. The rest I just wasted.....
proud Cracker-Americaan
muslims are like coyotes, only good one is a dead one
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2908952
09/20/19 06:56 PM
09/20/19 06:56 PM
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 639 Smuteye
Orion34
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 639
Smuteye
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I think it’s notable that a shorter stock can be as important as a short barrel when you are in a bind.
Great point. My stock got hung up under my arm pit this spring right before trying to put a bead on a gobbler's head. It resulted in unneccesary stress. Me too...It ain’t so much barrel length as it is overall length. Length of pull factors in almost as much. I’ve killed ‘em with an Elmer Fudd special but vastly prefer a compact 40” overall length or less gun. Mounted with a dot, it’s an oversized “pocket gun.” Only worry is I’m gonna shoot myself in the foot one day...
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Re: Ideal turkey shotgun barrel length?
[Re: Remington270]
#2913698
09/27/19 07:12 AM
09/27/19 07:12 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 16,487 Guntersville
AC870
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 16,487
Guntersville
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I’d say 18-24. I got the 18-1/2 now but I had a Super Mag 870 with a 24- inch barrel that was Pure Death on anything you pointed it at. Deer, turkey, ducks, geese etc.
“Killing tomorrow’s trophies today.”
On the distance I like to walk to my stands: “The first 100 yards is also the last 100 yards.”
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