870 22" bbl too short for some applications?

[bjk7]

I am looking at an older Rem 870 express mag 12ga with a 22" bbl and rem chokes. I like the handy shorter barrels for upland grouse hunting, and camp gun duty for grizz protection up here in western Montana. However, I was wondering if I would be limiting myself when it came to pheasant and waterfowl season.

So my questions are:

1) Would a longer barrel pattern better at longer range?

2) Is the longer sight radius and swing weight of a longer barrel a necessity when long open shots are the norm?

3) Any other concerns when opting for a shorter barrel?

Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[Red State]

I have a shotgun with a 22" barrel. It is a very versatile barrel that worked fine on dove and also does well with slugs and 00buck.

Yes, a longer barrel will probably give you tighter patterns at longer ranges and yes, a shorter barrel will be more handy with slugs.

All in all, 22" is a good barrel, but with compromises.

 

[chas08]

I was wondering if I would be limiting myself when it came to pheasant and waterfowl season.

These answers are only my opinion;
#1. No, choke restriction controls pattern, not barrel length.
#2. No, it may be a little harder to master as longer barrels follow through
more naturally.
#3. Muzzle blast comes to mind. They're not much fun to sit next to in a blind
or boat.

 

[Virginian]

I don't think a short barrel handles as well, but I'm not shooting it, you are. You won't see any difference in pattern or range. It will probably be louder.

 

[bjk7]

Well, that is what I wanted to hear. Not much difference. I think I will have to pick it up. Thanks everyone for the info!

 

[oneounceload]

Barrel length has N O T H I N G to do with patterning.....choke does....barrel length has EVERYTHING to do with smooth swinging on a moving target and the ability to do so.

 

[JohnBT]

A 22" barrel isn't that much shorter than a 26". About the length of a finger. I have large hands.

I like a 28", but my buddy does just fine with an 870 with a 21" barrel, even on ducks and geese.

John

 

[Dave McCracken]

The first barrel I had on Frankenstein, my over publicized parts 870, was cut back to a nominal 21" and threaded for Truchokes. My first outing with two friends in a goose pit ended up with me shooting from the extreme right end standing up while my friends stuffed cigarette butts in their ears.

That old Winchester steel load was loud, and in low light had an impressive fireball.

Killed geese though. Maybe from the sonic boom more than those iron pellets.

It will work for you, but you HAVE to work a bit harder to keep the barrel moving.

HTH....
Unconfined, not so bad.

 

[natman]

1) Would a longer barrel pattern better at longer range?
No. Choke, not barrel length is the determinant factor.

2) Is the longer sight radius and swing weight of a longer barrel a necessity when long open shots are the norm?

Necessity? No, but a longer barrel will swing a lot better. If you're duck hunting I'd recommend a 28".

 

[Fred Fuller]

A longer barrel helps you keep the gun swinging when you're pass shooting. Other than that, there's no real down side to the shorter barrel. For me, the 870 Turkey gun (21" VR barrel, twin beads, RemChokes) is about the ideal do-it-all shotgun.

lpl

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

That would be darn near perfect for me--brings it to the size of a double gun.

Thinking about having the smith cut and thread my new NEF pump if its not cost prohibitive---being as I have a slew of Rem chokes--I would set it up for that--with the cost of the work offsetting the cost of picking up more choke tubes in its current system.