"all purposes barrel" such a thing?

[jay smith]

now that i got a good stock im starting to think about a good barrel.
i currently have the 18.5 inch, pretty sure its cylinder bore on my Mossberg 500.

it looks like my choices are 24 and 28 inch.
without getting long winded is there even such a thing as an "all purposes barrel"?
i guess 24 vs 28.

 

[dutchhunter]

I like 26 inch barrel with chokes. Covers everything I need .

 

[jay smith]

thats what i was thinking but i cant find them in 12GA

 

[Maritime Storm]

Depends on what you are using it for, if all the gun sees is close up grouse hunting and you absolutely feel the need for a longer barrel, then buy the 24". If you want to use it for clay targets and waterfowl or pheasant, then 28" is a better choice.

 

[stubblejumper]

Other than my specialty target guns, my all purpose barrel length is 28".

 

[mastermind]

26"

 

[Grouse Man]

Between 24 and 28, get the 28. You already have a super short barrel so the 24 isn't needed.

 

[1963beretta]

Between 24 and 28, get the 28. You already have a super short barrel so the 24 isn't needed.

This!!

 

[kamlooky]

Modified choke should be a decent sqweeze too.

 

[FLHTCUI]

is there even such a thing as an "all purposes barrel"?

Yup, it is called a smooth bore....
Tight Groups,
Rob

 

[catnthehatt]

A 12 gauge with a 28" modified barrel will kill anything you point it at.
So will a 20 for that matter.
Cat

 

[petew]

A 12 gauge with a 28" modified barrel will kill anything you point it at.
So will a 20 for that matter.
Cat

My pick is Imp. Cyl. Open patern for lead and upland, and shoots heavy steel just right for geese.

 

[CanadianBaconPancakes]

Try them all, Some may feel awkward to you if its to long. I got a 12,14,16,18, 24 and 28 and have used both to kill birds and shoot clays without issues. I even shoot well with shot 12,14 and 16 inch barrel just like I would with a 28. I have started to doubt if my 28 makes a difference.

I think the right shot size is more important then the barrel. Smallest I like to use is #6. I have grouse still flying sometimes with anything smaller in brush, but #6 cuts through september foliage were I live and I alway go home with birds.

 

[Cintax]

Epps has a 28" barrel with chokes for a good price. Only issues could be that it has a camouflage finish and ported barrels.

 

[beretta boy]

Another vote cast for the 28" Modified.

 

[cosmic]

Well - Back in the stone ages, the majority of shotgun users had a single shot 12 g with a fixed full choke. We didn't obsess about choke, barrel length, action type, or any thing else. Somehow we managed to harvest game, and without support from the internet (gasp)... How times have changed!

 

[jay smith]

thanks everyone.
lots of support for the 28 inch so it doesn't leave me with any doubt.
when i end up buying one im pretty sure i'll go with the vent rib removable choke.
wish i could find a 26 but at the end of the day i don't think it matters.
lol that guns going to look pretty wild being near 4 foot long.

 

[catnthehatt]

Well - Back in the stone ages, the majority of shotgun users had a single shot 12 g with a fixed full choke. We didn't obsess about choke, barrel length, action type, or any thing else. Somehow we managed to harvest game, and without support from the internet (gasp)... How times have changed!

I shoot guns that are built before full chokes came into vogue, the problem with an older full chojechiwever, is shooting steel with it .neither the choke nor the forcing gone are designed for steel
Cat