[seeds76]

I plan on using a shotgun for playing some clay games. Mainly trap shooting. What's the right barrel for my size? I'm still young and only stand at 5'3.

Thanks

[Dave McCracken]

How high is up?

It depends on a large number of factors.

One is action style. A repeater has that receiver, which adds several inches to the OA length.

A 28" barrel on a repeater will give about the same OA length as a 32" barreled break action gun.

Most of the trap shooters I know use something like a 30" barrel on a repeater and 34" on a single barrel, break action trap gun.

I suggest trying out a variety of guns to find out what works for you.

HTH....

[Steve C]

For Trap a long vent rib barrel 28" to 30" and full (preferred) or modified (adequate) choke. Choosing the right stock length or modifying an existing stock will be more important in making the gun fit you.

[sbarkowski]

Not to hijack your post or anything but can someone tell me how barrel length affects velocity or the patern of the shot? Or is just all to do with how the gun will swing?

[MAKster]

In general barrel length has no impact on velocity or shot pattern. The choke is the key to shot pattern. Barrel length is all about swing.

[GRIZ22]

Barrel length is all about swing.

Liken it to increasing the sight radius.

[sbarkowski]

Thank you.

[Virginian]

The right barrel length for you is the one you like the best. I am perfectly serious about that. A shotgun needs to feel and mount right, and if it feels like you have a 25 pound striper on a stiff pole out front you aren't going to hit squat. I suspect due to your currently somewhat short stature that a shorter barrel like a 23" or maybe a 26" might be best, but you need to swing a few and see how you feel about it. Too much weight out front and you will be straining and having to fight it. You should be able to just a lot of this just swinging it in the store.
What feels good to you and you feel confident with is the main thing. I know a guy who is 6'3" and closer to 300 pounds than he wants to admit (kinda like me), but he is deadly on a clays course or at trap with a 23" barreled Remington Special Field.