Barrel Length Question

M

Makarov9x

New member
My question revolves around barrel length and distance. Given the same ammo (say 00 buck).How much difference in distance will the shot carry with a 28 inch barrel compared to a 24 inch barrel? I would assume much farther in the longer barrel. Now to throw a kink into the equation. Assuming in the first equation, both barrels had modifield chokes, now change the shorter barrel to an extra full choke, will this equal out the distance factor?
Or is distance not a factor, and the longer barrel holds a better pattern for longer distances?
I know the answer is go pattern my gun and do few tests to come to my own conclusion. But I am hoping someone here can help me answer first.

Thank All,
Mak
 
I doubt there would be much difference in velocity between the 24" and 28" barrels, certainly not enough to really matter. Shotgun powder is fast burning and consumed in the first couple of inches. If it were progressive or slow burning like rifle powder, your shotgun barrels would have to a lot thicker at the end to contain the extra pressure. A shot pattern at 1200 fps doesn't care how long the barrel is,, all the shot will have the same range and energy per pellet. A pellet, slug or bullet accelerated to 1200 fps will only go so far. Chokes will not add more range (distance), just tighter patterns, which allow you to shoot at game further than no choke. I know, there will be the members that will challenge this, but for ALL practical purposes. A short barreled gun with full choke will simply shoot full choke patterns.
 
The NRA Technical staff answered this one years ago.
The idea that a longer barreled shotgun shoot farther, "harder" or patterns better is a left-over from the black powder days.

To investigate, the NRA staff got a Marlin Goose Gun with a 36" barrel. They fitted a choke to the end of the barrel, then patterned the gun and shot through a chronograph to measure velocity.

Then they cut the barrel off one inch and repeated the tests.
They repeated this until the barrel was cut down to 12 inched long.

The results were:
Anything that is going to happen in a shotgun barrel balistically, happens within 18 inches.

A barrel longer than 28 inches actually starts to loose velocity from friction.

The gun continued to shoot good patterns until it was down to 12 inches.
 
Dferiswheel: Thank you,,, I rest my case. Just waiting for the ones that will argue 10 fps is a significant amount and will argue it to the death. :D
 
Wow!!! Nice response guys. That was just the answer I was looking for. I'll tell you why. I'm getting ready to purchase another shotgun for hunting. I own several... 30 inches down to 26 inches. I'm now looking to get a 24 inch barrel, (i'm always looking for something a little different than others and not to mention a little lighter). I've been deer hunting for years and it seems every year deer keep getting dropped farther and farther. This year I saw a deer get dropped at 70 yards with a 12 gauge, 00 buck(steel shot), 28 inch barrel and an extra full choke. I just don't see many 24 inch barrels for deer hunting. It would seem the lighter the better. Why haven't I seen more???
Is it really a myth longer barrels shoot farther? Hmmmmm


Mak
 
In addition to what everyone else has said, I was basically told at a young age that the length of the barrel is more for comfort/ease of use factors than anything else. Hunters like short barrels for carrying in the woods, etc....clay shooters tend towards longer barrels, for their own specific reasons.
 
I have a 24" for my cheap mossy 500(cost at the time, not quality!) vent rib , with 3 chokes, and it will do anything I have asked it to do in the field. I understand follow through, but in the areas where we hunt, and given that the prey is mostly upland game, speed also enters into the equasion.
Come home, clean, install 18" "riot " barrel, and ready for hd!
 
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