A Question of Barrel Length

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Short barrels can be used for hunting turkey and ducks and geese. 12.5" barrel with a turkey choke and birds head grip. For waterfowling in my kayak i switch to ic choke and a full stock. For just paddling around exploring i often keep the birds head grip on it as it fits in the in hull storage
 

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CarloNord said:
I use the sling when I'm walking a trail usually, admittedly they do get caught up in twigs and other crap a lot, but it's nice to just have my girl over my shoulder while I walk a long way. The moment I spot a chicken though she's in my hand until I'm sure there's nothing left around. I guess that's why they make quick detach slings for when you need to get off the trail and into the bush.
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Forget the sling on a bird gun. They add weight and put the shotgun in an awkward spot if you need to get into action with a fast flying grouse in a tight spot. Carry your shotgun instead. It will work much better for you with that type of hunting esp with a flushing bird.

A SxS or O/U with 26-28" bbls is fine for close cover hunting. Much shorter guns handle poorly for most folks. I've never had any trouble with that length for chasing ruffed grouse and woodcock. A 24" pump or semi is fairly close to the same OAL as the 26" SxS but are hard to find. Also, a 12ga will be heavier, esp in a pump/semi and will be less fun to carry.

A nice light 20ga SxS with 28" bbls choked IC/M is just about perfect for upland use.
 
sillymike said:
Got me curious, how many folks use a sling while hunting? I usually take them off as they always get tangled up in stuff, and the only time when I think it would be "nice" to have is when I get out of the wood and have to walk back to the truck/camp.
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Everything I hunt with wears a Vickers sling, they’re all quick adjusting so if it’s not on my shoulder I just since it up tight and it doesn’t flop around or get caught on things. Most of the time it’s in my hands but if I need both hands to climb over something or just do something I will sling it up tight to my back or chest, I wouldn’t do without one on a gun that sees actually use.
 
brybenn said:
View attachment 539890
Short barrels can be used for hunting turkey and ducks and geese. 12.5" barrel with a turkey choke and birds head grip. For waterfowling in my kayak i switch to ic choke and a full stock. For just paddling around exploring i often keep the birds head grip on it as it fits in the in hull storage
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That's hilarious to see, I'm glad it works out for you! Seems like a great choice for a boat gun. I gotta ask, does the kayak rock much when you fire?
 
CarloNord said:
I would like the option to fire slugs, which is why I'm leery about having a built in choke. I don't know if I'll get into turkey hunting, I might get into duck or geese one day but I know I need a longer barrel for that anyway, so we'll chalk that up to Christmas presents for future me.
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You can shoot slugs through chokes up to full, I find there’s always one choke that will give you nice patterns as well as great point of aim/point of impact with a chosen slug. On most of my choked shotguns it’s mod or improved mod, the odd one is a full choke. Perfectly safe to do, people have been shooting deer with their old single shot fixed full choked 12g for years with no ill effects. You might not get the best accuracy out of the full choke and a slug, when I pattern I’ll shoot birdshot, buckshot and slugs out of each choke to see if there’s one that gives me the pattern I want for shot at 12-15y and then again at 25-30y plus accurate slug hits to 50y. Once I have a slugs on target to 50 I’ll figure out my holdover out to the 75-80y mark.

If I need a slug while I’m out with a shotgun it would be if a deer or bear were to show up while I’m walking a trail, so likely within the 50-75y range. Or if I had to shoot a problem bear or other predator around the farm it’s most likely going to be close up, this year we have had a big cougar, coyote and a grizzly show up on the neighbors property right beside us. I don’t want to be ####ing around with chokes, I want to pick one that does what I need it to and leave it at that.

This was what I used for a season on grouse, full choked 14” barrel and a red dot. Was a hoot, last year it was a tac14 clone with the same barrel with rifle sights installed on it. Brought home lots of grouse, it’s loud though.

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sillymike said:
Lack of sling?
- Got me curious, how many folks use a sling while hunting? I usually take them off as they always get tangled up in stuff, and the only time when I think it would be "nice" to have is when I get out of the wood and have to walk back to the truck/camp.
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I like using a sling when Im hunting. Comes in handy far more often then it gets in the way
 
Most everyone has said longer barrels 'swing' better...

In reality longer barrels give you a longer sight radius and more accuracy... your eye is the rear sight, the front bead is your front sight... the farther they are apart, the more accurately you can aim (point) your shotgun... that may add up to a better 'swing'
 
IvoB said:
26 inch for me anything shorter and your shot will spread too wide and you will probably injure the rabbit
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I don't know about you, but I was schooled that choke construction has more bearing upon the birdshot pattern.
Within reason.

I myself have cleanly harvested snowshoehares at a full thirty yards cleanly. Full choke and 18.5 inches of barrel of a 410.
 
OP - There are several "short-barrel" SGs out there. I found a Daly 601 in 19" gas-semi with threaded chokes. One could have the #4-6 as 1st shot for the bunnies, then slugs in the event you meet Yogi's bud. I have a 14" Hatsan pump that is fixed-Cylinder that's fairly accurate (<8") with slugs out to 50yds.
As for slings, I use the 'off-side barrel-down' carry. It gives me both hands for brush, quick access to fire, and the sling is there to steady the shot if needed.
 
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