Minimum length barrel for hunting birds.

[Das Pferd]

I tried different combinations in the search and couldnt come up with anything.

Is there any source on the web where i could learn about patterns regarding barrel length and what patterns can take birds at different distances?

I have a 18 inch barrel shotgun. Can I hunt birds with this? Or is it, yes I can but I must be 10 yards from them. Thanks for the help.

 

[kudu]

Barrel length shouldn't make much difference in patterns, but choke will. The longer barrels may throw a more even pattern but not necessarily.

Even with a open cylinder bore you should be able to take birds out to 30 yards with it.

Here is what was on Trulock chokes web page:


CONSTRICTION PERCENT

CYLINDER .000 40 at 40 yds- 70 at 25 yds

SKT 1 .005 45 at 40 yds- 75 at 25 yds

IMP CYL .010 50 at 40 yds

Skt 2 [light mod] .015 55 at 40 yds

MODIFIED .020 60 at 40 yds

IMP MOD .025 65 at 40 yds

FULL .030 70 at 40 yds

EXTRA FULL .040 73 at 40 yds

TURKEY .045 + 75+ at 40 yds

http://www.trulockchokes.com/chokeinfo.asp

This should give you a little idea about range distances.

 

[Dave McCracken]

My goto shotgun for a decade or so had a 21" barrel and choke tubes. It was very loud in a goose blind but took snows well over dekes.

Before that, I used riot barreled 870s, a similar Mossberg 500, a Lupara and other short barrelled, open choked shotguns to take a variety of game.

Proper loads are important, of course. Target loads will keep a good pattern farther out than generics and promo loads.

Take your shotgun and pattern it with your loads of choice. Consider max range that at which your main pattern covers 24-28". Stick to that in the field and you'll get fast, humane kills.

A cylinder bore barrel 30" in length will pattern similar to an 18" barrel also without any choke. The 30" barrel may be easier to hit with due to inertia helping the swing, but the patterns will neither be tighter nor more open than from the shorty.

HTH....

 

[Bullet Bob]

I remember Charles Askins writing about a sheriff of his aquaintance who was always a good shotgunner on quail, but became. as he put it, pure poison" on them after having his Ithaca 37 barrel cut back due to a barrel bulge after trying to shoot some snow out of his barrel.

 

[Das Pferd]

Thankyou very much you all answered my question perfectly.