Satchel
Member
Browning sells a BPS with 22" bbl, also BPS with 26" and 28" bbls.
Which would be best for birds, short or long?
Which would be best for birds, short or long?
best bbl length for quail/grouse
- Thread starter Satchel
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SwampWolf
Member
I'd go for the 26" barrel for most "upland" game, certainly quail and grouse. I'd even consider a 24" barrel but I think the 22" version is a mite abbreviated. If pheasants are thrown in the mix, I'd think about the 28" length.
I believe the kind of cover you typically hunt in would be the biggest determining factor when deciding on barrel length. The thicker it is, the shorter (within reason) I want my barrel. The shorter barrel is less likely to get caught up in obstructions and affords a quicker swing on those typical "snap" shots.
I believe the kind of cover you typically hunt in would be the biggest determining factor when deciding on barrel length. The thicker it is, the shorter (within reason) I want my barrel. The shorter barrel is less likely to get caught up in obstructions and affords a quicker swing on those typical "snap" shots.
skeeter1
Member
I've got 26" IC/M barrels on my SKB SxS double upland game shotgun, and they seem about perfect. Another one I have has 28" M/F barrels, and that one is used at the trap range. It's too heavy and unwieldly for upland game hunting, IMHO, and too expensive for sitting in a duck blind on a rainy day.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
My first repeater was an 870 with a 30" barrel. I did OK on pheasant with it as such but quail were a bit of a prob.
Some time later I hunted quail with an 870 with an 18" barrel and thought it was great on quail but not quite so good on pheasant. I did not take into account the fact that I was shooting better.
These days my hunting guns wear barrels from 26" to 30" and I may just be shooting as well as I ever will.
I doubt there's a hardnfast rule here. Shun the extremes and you'll probably be all right...
Some time later I hunted quail with an 870 with an 18" barrel and thought it was great on quail but not quite so good on pheasant. I did not take into account the fact that I was shooting better.
These days my hunting guns wear barrels from 26" to 30" and I may just be shooting as well as I ever will.
I doubt there's a hardnfast rule here. Shun the extremes and you'll probably be all right...
Owned several shotguns in the 26 to 30 inch barrel length then I bought a 870 special field with a 21 inch barrel with a English style stock. For upland birds, quail, pheasant, chucker etc I will never go back to that longer barrel. To each his own and I would recommend get what feels right to you, but for me 21 is plenty.
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