Barrel length advice?

L

lpel

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I have finally decided it is time to upgrade my Browning Sporting Clays 325 with 28" barrels. I was originally looking for a Browning Sporting Clays 725 with 30" barrels. Impossible to find (at least for me) and I was wanting to get away from the ported barrels.

Then I shot a buddies Beretta Prevail III with 32" barrels. I really like the gun and it seems to fit me very well. Although I only shot 4 rounds of skeet with it. I shoot primairily skeet, the very odd round of trap, a little 5 stand and love to shoot sporting clays when I can. I am not hardcore and do not shoot every week.

I am now looking for a Prevail I and was originally going to get one with 30" barrels but can't seem to find one. I can get one in 32".

Would I be making a mistake by going to 32" barrels for what I shoot? Would the resale be less on a 32" model? I really don't plan on selling the shotgun (for that kind of money I don't plan to buy many). But you never know as things change. I felt the gun swung very well on the skeet field and did not feel at any type of disadvantage. I know the clay guys have gone to longer barrels but I shoot more skeet than clays.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
I went from a 28"citori to a 32" Beretta 682. I wouldn't go back now. Like you, I primarily shoot skeet, but occasionally shoot trap and sporting. The gun excels at everything.
 
Citori 725 Sporting Clays are readily available if you know where to look. I bought one with 32" barrels last week, and they had both left and right handed models, in both 30" and 32", in stock.
 
I shoot 32" o/u for everything and see many of them on the skeet field. If it works for you it's not a disadvantage. There's also no disadvantage if you want to sell it. From what I've seen 32" guns are the most popular among clay target shooters.
 
Thanks for the info so far. Very helpful.

Nothing wrong with ported barrels. It's just that they are a bit louder than none ported, really only noticed on the trap field.
 
I shot two rounds of doubles skeet, and two rounds of doubles at stations 3-4-5, with my 725 with 32" barrels this morning. I am glad that I chose the 32" barrels, as they swing quicker than the 30" barrels on my XS Skeet. The XS Skeet will be for sale next spring.
 
Sure wish there was a 725 close by to see and handle before pulling the trigger (so to speak). I don't mind the Beretta Prevail 1 I shot with 32" barrels. It felt really nice and fit me well. I found it handled better than my 325. I am not a fan of the "xtra" wood as they call it. My 325 has a very nice stock on it. The 725's seem to have very nice wood. I could go either way on this purchase. I can't seem to make up my mind. I am in no rush and will not be buying many shotguns in this price range (one really). So I will take my time and hopefully can fondle a 725 soon.

Nice to hear you are pleased with yours stubblejumper.
 
Had the same decision to make a few months ago. The SV10 Prevail was the one I bought. Livelier and lighter at the muzzle, no porting. Handled and balanced perfectly. Waited till one came up on the EE to pull the trigger. Gonna go give it a test drive today at both the SC and trap stations.

Buy the one that fits the best for you. You won't be disappointed with either a prevail or a 725.
 
I started shooting Skeet with 28" O/U's and 26" pumps & semi's back in the 60's. By the early 90's, I'd moved to 30" O/U's and 28" pumps/semi's.
About 96 I switched to a 32" O/U for Sporting Clays and have never looked back. I shoot a 32" DT-10 for most everything, and occasionally a
30" 391 PT.

I think the 32" O/U's are probably the best choice for Sporting, 5-Stand & Trap ... if you can handle them. If you're a little shorter in stature
the 30" may be a better choice ... and it's certainly very capable for Skeet. With the longer barrels, balance is muy importante!
 
After shooting some clean rounds of skeet with the 725 today, and then shooting as well at trap with the 725, as I do with my 32" XT, I am sold on the 32" barrels, and on the 725, for all of my 12 gauge clays shooting.
 
So I go to the skeet club today and shoot 4 rounds. I am usually about a 22/25 kinda guy, sometimes better. My bud lets me shoot his Beretta Prevail III (again) with 32" barrels. Guns seems to fit well etc. But I shoot likely 18/19. I then switch back to my Browning 325 with 28" barrels. Shoot a 24 and 21. Now I have been shooting the Browning for 8 or 10 years, so not sure if that is a fair comparison. I am not a high volume shooter (since I retired last year I shot more this year than ever and am at 1,000 rounds).

I'll keep looking for an opportunity to try or at least handle a 725. Man this seems like a difficult decision to make!!!!!! But the hunt is on and that is part of the game.
 
My bud lets me shoot his Beretta Prevail III (again) with 32" barrels. Guns seems to fit well etc. But I shoot likely 18/19. I then switch back to my Browning 325 with 28" barrels. Shoot a 24 and 21.
Click to expand...

Perhaps the Beretta shoots to a different point of aim than your Browning. I find Browning and Beretta to be opposites, fit wise. The Citoris fit me very well, but the Berettas don't fit me well at all, so I don't shoot them nearly as well. The barrel length may not be the issue.
 
Making a 4" barrel length jump at Skeet, my guess is you're likely (hold point) starting-in a little too far.
You might try again, holding a little further out ... this is very noticeable (for "righties anyways) at
2 high and 6 low ... and it will certainly cost you at 8 if your in too close to the house. And as
stubblejumper says ... the fit may not be quit the same. At minimum, I would guess the
Beretta to have a longer LOP than your Browning, and likely some cast-off which most Brownings do not
have.
 
All very good and valid points. I think you are both correct and raise points I never thought of. I was pretty frustrated but have decided why should I be? What is the rush I may as well enjoy the search and take my time. I was in a bit of a rush thinking prices will only go up. But a few months either way will not matter. Besides there is nothing wrong with my 325 at this time.
 
Well I finally pulled the trigger today. Hope I do not regret this decision. I ordered a Browning 725 and went with the 30" barrels. My 325 seems to fit so well that I decided to stay with the Browning line. Never thought 2 inches (30vs32) would cause me so much consternation!!! I shoot primarily skeet with maybe a few rounds of clays thrown in there. There were none around here to actually hold, I did get to handle a 725 field model though.

Well I guess we will see next week. Thanks again folks.
 
At one point in time I had decided that bbl length was very important. I clearly would not be able to shoot anything shorter than 30" bbls (skeet).

In order to shoot my new to me K80 I had to bite the bullet and use the 28" bbls that came with it while I searched for 30" bbls.

Turns out I didn't notice the difference at all. There was no changing of hold points, or seeing things differently. I had some of the highest averages of my career with the 28s.

I still ended up getting a set of 30s because that is what I wanted. Do I believe there is a technical advantage to it... no.

I hope you got the ones that made you the most happy, because that will affect your scores more than any technical benefit that one has over the other.

Brad.
 
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