Benelli Barrel Length?

[Subsonic]

After years of shooting skeet and a few years of shooting trap I am finally going pheasant hunting this fall! I have decided to buy a Benelli M2 to carry in the field and I have a question for you expert hunters. Would you buy a 28", 26" or a 24" barrel and why? I'm also thinking of buying a 20ga. and then I will have a gun that new/young shooters can use to try their hand at trap and skeet. Is 20ga. enough in your opinion for pheasants?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Shoot safe, John

PS Did I mention that I'm going pheasant hunting this fall!!!

 

[Kansas Bound]

My preference is a 26" for 12 ga and 28" for 20ga. A side note, it seems that 24" hurts on the resale.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

No difference in performance, you either get a slower smoother swing, or a faster swing, your choice.

 

[rcmodel]

I go 26" all around.

Best compromise for me concerning pointability, handiness in brush, and in & out of the truck.

A 20 ga will kill pheasants just fine if you use the proper loads.

I prefer 1 1/4 oz #5's in 12 ga, and 1 oz #6 in 20 gage.

Choice in shot size is a trade-off between range / penetration, and pattern density.

If the 20 held more shot without going 3", I would use #5 in both of them.

rcmodel

 

[throdgrain]

I have a 28" M2, and my mate has a 26". They are both much the same really.

 

[JonB]

I went 24". A bit faster on the swing - handy with pheasant (dove too). I don't plan on selling it so resale it not a factor for me. Instead of selling, I'd add to the collection if I felt the need for another.

 

[willymike]

I use 26" and 24" for pheasant in a Benelli. Due to the inertia recoil system Benelli receivers are longer than gas operated guns. Hence, a gun with a 26" barrel is almost equal in length to a 28" gas gun or pump. The 24" will be a little shorter than an a 26" gas or pump gun. Just stand either up against (for instance) a Remington 1100 or 870 and compare the overall length.

In Remingtons and Brownings, I prefer the 26" barrel for upland game. In the Benelli, I favor the 24" since it is about 1/4" shorter than a 26" in the other brands and is therefore almost equal. I have no problem shooting a 28", but really like the shorter barrel.

Try them both out if you have the opportunity. If not, either will work just fine. You can't go wrong with your choice.

 

[jmr40]

willymike is right about the difference in barrel length vs overall length. My Benelli with 24" barrel is the same overall length as my Remington with 26" barrel. I have noticed the same when comparing them in stores.

I prefer a 26" on repeaters and a 28" barrel on doubles.

 

[Subsonic]

I don't see a lot of "hard to sell 24" Benellis" at greatly reduced prices on the gun auctions. As a matter of fact the only ones you seem to see are the new ones posted by dealers. I haven't seen a good deal on an M2 in a long time.

Shoot safe, John

 

[ArmedBear]

Benellis run long, IMO. Overall length and balance are what really matter, and they differ between designs a great deal.

I'd lean 26" for a gun for fast-rising flying-away birds.

24" maybe. Never actually seen a 24" Benelli, though.

28" for pass shooting.

 

[Subsonic]

Thanks to everyone for the information. I do appreciate it very much.

Shoot safe, John