14”-16” shotguns shot pattern compared to 24”+??

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emerson

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14”-16” shotguns shot pattern compared to 24”+??

I’m not an avid waterfowl hunter or skeet/trap guy, just wondering how much accuracy and/or velocity the shorties give up to the more common barrel lengths? I’ll probably pick up a shortie, just curious if it can be more than a toy/last resort bear gun. I would really like to hear from those who have used one. Thanks.
 
the tests ive seen indicate there is little velocity difference (loss) down to a 12" barrel on a 12 gauge and with the same choke a 24" barrel would have precisely 8" longer range than a 16" barrel...its the same choke, why would a longer barrel give any significant range increase? The downside is shorter sight radius and less "swing" for follow through, all assuming proper stock fit, which is an area it seems many pay little attention to on the shorties
 
I can’t tell you how much velocity the short barrels loose over a longer barrel but the accuracy is great once you pattern at different distances with various chokes, stick within your safe distances and you’ll be fine.

Here are a few more grouse I’ve taken with my mag fed grizzly since patterning the 14” barrel, as you can see there wasn’t a single pellet in the breast. 25y is my max safe distance for minimal meat damage, if I’m in the 10-15y range I’m breaking the neck once the head is hit. A combo of the right choke and ammo will give you a nice even pattern and allow you use it for more than just blasting away, my 28” vent rib never comes out. It’s usually a 20” with mod choke but I’m having a great time smashing grouse with the 14” barrel and my mag fed Grizzly.

ta8IwhN.jpg

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burkeg said:
the tests ive seen indicate there is little velocity difference (loss) down to a 12" barrel on a 12 gauge and with the same choke a 24" barrel would have precisely 8" longer range than a 16" barrel...its the same choke, why would a longer barrel give any significant range increase? The downside is shorter sight radius and less "swing" for follow through, all assuming proper stock fit, which is an area it seems many pay little attention to on the shorties
Click to expand...

i've found pretty well the same, it's all in the chokes.
 
I agree with Burkeg, shorter barrels have little effect on the shot velocity or pattern performance. Where you do notice the difference is on flying targets and the further they are from the shooter the more of a handicap the short barrels become not only because of the short sight radius but in handling. You'll notice that sporting clay's shooters like long barrels for long shots, the downside is the long barrels are sometime sluggish on close and fast targets. The trick is to find a gun that is the best compromise between having the forward mass required for momentum on long targets but still have the agility to move quick on close targets.
 
Careful of the game laws with that big mag, 2 plus one in most areas. I’ve found slugs to loose about 100fps from my 18.5 to 14” barrels, shot I’m unsure. Optimum velocity in the 12 ga is obtained with 22-24” of barrel. Note the length of most rifled barrels, they are that length for a reason, pattern is the result of choke, for grouse I doubt velocity is relevant. My 2 go to guns for all birds are 18” police threaded for chokes(upland) and an 870 express vr cut back and threaded to 24” for waterfowl.
 
You DO notice a difference in effect on some targets when using smaller shot at a distance.

The difference in average velocity may not be huge on paper {IIRC 75-125 fps} compared to a sporting length barrel but as you get into progressively smaller shot sizes that may be marginal on a given target at a given distance to begin with, it can matter a lot.
 
We use to shorten the old Cooey singles and make bear guns for archery back ups. (When the bear comes up the tree u r in). With modern choked short guns I find I need to make a definite effort to keep my face planted on the stock. Very easy to look over the barrel at the target. For me, it took some shooting at stationary targets to get proper feel. Like any shotgun fit is important and so is practice. Good luck.
 
burkeg said:
the tests ive seen indicate there is little velocity difference (loss) down to a 12" barrel on a 12 gauge and with the same choke a 24" barrel would have precisely 8" longer range than a 16" barrel...its the same choke, why would a longer barrel give any significant range increase? The downside is shorter sight radius and less "swing" for follow through, all assuming proper stock fit, which is an area it seems many pay little attention to on the shorties
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I used my 870 for trap shooting for a few years set up in 3 gun configuration with 18" barrel, then later on settled on my current setup fer trap. I use Comp-N-Choke tubes & a Carlson's 26" barrel on 'er now for better follow thru.

Early setup.
HPIM1166.jpg

Latest setup.
TRAP SPECIAL.jpg
 

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