Barrel length affecting pattern

[Primertime]

I know you can buy shotguns with barrels from 18.5 - upwards of 30"

My question does the length of the barrel affect the velocity and shot pattern?

I have heard/read that the charge only takes 17" to burn and anything over that is more for "swing" of the gun rather than ballistic performance.

If that is the case wouldn't the added manoeuvrability and less weight be more valuable in the tree stand or blind? so why isn't everyone hunting with a 22" barrel?

Thanks in advance for your responses,

PT

 

[Winchested]

Because a longer sight plane for wing shooting is desirable for swing and pointing.

If you are aiming and pointing like a rifle. A short barrel is fine. As most turkey and deer guns are 20-24".

 

[Grouser]

Read an article one time by well respected American gunsmith, Roy Dunlap. In the article he describes trimming a 28" cylinder barrel (which patterned well) back by 2' increments until the barrel was 14". The tests on velocity, distance and pattern showed very little differences in all three items. He said that the difference was similar to changing brands/shot size of ammunition.

 

[Grouse Man]

Pattern is affected more by the choke, shot size and composition, wad type, and forcing cone than by barrel length. Shorter barrels will give up some velocity, but I've no idea how much or if it's significant. Just note that short barrels produce a HUGE fireball, so I'm guessing that's a lot of wasted heat energy NOT being used to push the shot.

Barrel length is very important for balance and for swing momentum. For sighting, almost negligible. Longer barrels are quieter, and help smooth out your swing for easier follow-through for wingshooting, up to a point. There is an optimum length for each type of shotgunning activity. Cops don't use trap guns, and trap shooters don't use skeet guns, etc.

And weight in a gun is sometimes beneficial, even when hunting. You do NOT want to be shooting heavy magnums out of a six-pound gun in a busy goose field.

 

[3macs1]

After 24" the experts say you will change velocity at 5 fps per inch which is not even worth mentioning. Controlling swing and stopping the gun is always the big issue with short barrels. Some will say a longer barrel will tighten a pattern but I have never witnessed that and I shoot a fair amount of paper testing my reloads.

 

[kimmer82]

yea not really a big difference unless your comparing 18" to 30" at a field hunting wings.
Choke will make the most difference but then you will mostly be using one choke that you like.

I only use longer barrels because it feels more stable to point then a short ones but then dont think it will make tooo big of a deal. i would hunt with shorter barrels if i wanted to.