26 in vs 28 in barrel

hambone868

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I'm sure its been discussed b4 just wondering the advantages of both barrels for waterfoul if anyone knows where to find some threads regarding this please let me know
 
I personally prefer the 26 inch barrel because I use my shotguns for waterfowl & upland. Chasing grouse & woodcock in tight covers, I want the shorter barrel. In fact, at one point I used to run with a Browing BPS with a 22 inch barrel!!!

Currently, I have a Benelli Nova with a 26 inch barrel & a Baikal MP153 with a 24 inch barrel. I like the 24 inch barrel on the Baikal because the Baikal has a long receiver being a 3.5 inch semi and again, I want to use the gun for than just waterfowl, like turkeys.

That being said, the Baikal is my dedicated waterfowl gun. It is just a tad shorter than the Benelli when they are side by side.

Cheers
Jay
 
I think that barrel length depends on the gun in which it is used on and the type of hunting its used for.I have an o/u citori with 26" bbls.I love the gun for jump shooting wood ducks in a river bottom stand of oaks that has a number of oxbows.the shots are close and quick and this gun suits the porpose.now that same gun used for open water decoying is not the best choise.its short and choppy to swing in this situtation.for that I have a 28"bbl maxus which for this type of hunt is a joy to use.but in the end it all comes down to what you like as you are the guy behind the trigger.
 
If you are strictly talking about waterfowl, there is NO advantage to a short barrel, and many benefits to a longer barrel. There is a bunch of very good reasons why competitive sporting clays shooters are going to 30 - 32" barrels. Smoother swing, longer sighting plane ( less pointing error) better weight forward momentum for better follow through, and less muzzle blast. I also think I perceive less recoil momentum from longer barrels, but that might be my imagination. I think the short barrel craze is a misguided fad. Call me a fudd, but I think results, not "handiness" speak for themselves.
 
Thanks i think ill stick with the 28, just seeing a lot of guns for sale with tje shorter barrel lately,maybe they just don't sell as fast
 
I had pretty much the same question. Was considering a pump with 2 or 3 barrel setup including a deer barrel, but now am looking at a Maxus. So, I was wondering whether to start with the 26" or 28."

Reading thus far looks like consensus would be 28 for waterfowl or maybe even 30 if available for waterfowl/clay, and 26 for upland. Rifled deer barrel will have to take what's available. This could get pricey if I do it with the Maxus. Browning barrels aren't cheap, but it's only money :)
 
Browning/Winchester barrels are like $700-850 in Canada if you can find someone that can order just the barrel.
 
My 26" Maxus 3" chamber is exactly the same length as my 30" Citori GTS when I stand them beside each other. I prefer a 26" barrel in a semi.

Browning barrels are not cheap but I don't think they will run $700. I just got a rifled cantilever barrel for my Maxus. It comes with a new fore end as well and cost $470 plus tax. I expect a smooth barrel would be cheaper than that.
 
My 26" Maxus 3" chamber is exactly the same length as my 30" Citori GTS when I stand them beside each other. I prefer a 26" barrel in a semi.

Browning barrels are not cheap but I don't think they will run $700. I just got a rifled cantilever barrel for my Maxus. It comes with a new fore end as well and cost $470 plus tax. I expect a smooth barrel would be cheaper than that.

The new barrel won't fit with the original fore end? I guess that's not bad considering the msrp is $459.99in the usa.
 
For hunting I prefer shorter barrels. To me they are easier in and out of blinds and shooting out of a boat. My goose gun is a 32" sxs 10ga my duck guns vary between 18.5"-29" for 12ga guns. I would have no issues buying and using a 26" barreled gun
 
Read a lot of good stuff on shotgunworld.com when I was deciding what length I wanted.


I went with a 26 inch SBE II. I use it for everything. I actually have an 18.5 with screw in chokes for it, that I use more than the 26.
 
My 26" Maxus 3" chamber is exactly the same length as my 30" Citori GTS when I stand them beside each other. I prefer a 26" barrel in a semi.

Browning barrels are not cheap but I don't think they will run $700. I just got a rifled cantilever barrel for my Maxus. It comes with a new fore end as well and cost $470 plus tax. I expect a smooth barrel would be cheaper than that.

They must have dropped their prices considerably because two years ago I tried getting Ellwood Epps to order me a 3.5" SX3 Cantilever Deer barrel and it was going to be $750 with tax and extra for shipping. Winchester doesn't list the 3.5" one anymore but the 3" ones are $660 MSRP.

Must be cheaper to make the Maxus barrels.
 
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