Barrel Length/choke for a bush gun...

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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..and by "bush" gun, I mean "grouse" gun. :) I have done a search on this here, and it seems that 21"-22" on the short end, 24"-26" on the long end..? Here is my situation;

The shotgun is an old Remington 11-48 (recoil operated) with a 28" fixed, modified choke. In thick cover, the 28" just "feels" too long, though with a little room to swing, it points just fine. Anyhow, not wanting to alter the original barrel, which is in superb original condition, I tracked-down an additional 28" barrel (fixed full) with the plan of having IT cut, and threaded for choke tubes. While shorter, I still think I want control over the patterns~not sure how this gun will be serving me in the future. So, here is the plan as it stands, please chime-in if you think I'm missing something important;

1. The new barrel is full=less useful to me, not in as good a condition on the outside, so a better candidate for these modifications.

2. I'm assuming a barrel as short as 20"-22" will not have any effect on the function of the gun's action/it's ability to cycle, etc. I've seen Auto 5 barrels (same design) shortened, no issues.

3. Quote I have to cut, replace the bead, thread for chokes~$165 Seems reasonable, gunsmith is local and has an excellent reputation.

4. Application~won't be hunting over dogs, this will be a logging road kind of gun that needs to make 50-60 yard wing shots if necessary. I will pattern it when I get the work done, but I'm thinking of starting-off with modified and cyl. chokes.

5. This is a stretch~I don't hunt turkey, but plan on getting licensed to do it this year. Will a 20"-22" barrel (with a full or turkey choke) be good for turkey?

Thanks for taking a moment to chime in with any/all of these considerations. Really look forward to some input. As a point of interest, this was my late grandfather's gun and while I always look for excuses to buy NEW guns, I'm really excited about the prospect of expanding it's usefulness...without altering it permanently. Since everyone likes photos, here is my huge...glowing-orange form holding it, along with my first 2 grouse from this fall.

Grouse1.jpg
 
I would go with a 24" barrel,with the right choke it will work for turkeys,and those 50-60 yrd shots you're talking about down the road,I don't think the mod/cyl. chokes will handle that distance for wing shooting....
 
A "full" tube would remedy that though, I'm guessing. The 2 pictured (my first, as mentioned) were probably 30 yards away...but probably 50' up. 1 oz. of #7 through the modified 28" barrel did the job, but 1 of the birds got quite a breast-full of lead. Left me speculating (again, absence of experience) that a more open choke might have served me better. Then again, TOO open=no birds on the ground.

I'd like to think a 20" barrel with the right tubes would be a great carry gun, but it has to point well and get the job done when I hit the go button.
 
The decision to choke may be better suited to a long barrel, should you ever wish to shoot skeet, trap or migratory.
For shooting grouse in Ontario, I would be inclined to say that your average shot is more like 15-25 yards, which would be well served by an improved cylinder, or even an open choke. (If you lop off the barrel only, you'll be left with an open choke.)
I think its a common mistake to go for too much choke - particularly in grouse hunting. I use an O/U skeet gun with a 26 in barrel - given the difference in action lengths, its about the same as a pump with a 22 in barrel - quite handy in tight bush.
 
Thanks for the reply. Would you suggest I cut the barrel to 22", get it re-beaded, and try it before I look at getting it threaded? Part of the inspiration to do this was a grouse hunter I spoke with who uses a 20ga. wingmaster with a barrel cut to 22"~no choke tubes. Said it was a great gun for bush hunting grouse, the odd one he comes across on logging roads, etc. I don't envision the short barrel being my trap gun, duck gun etc. Strictly the purpose stated.

I wonder~if I chose to thread AFTER the fact, would the bead sight hole cause any issues?
 
It shouldn't as the choke tube itself would protect it. I shoot skeet with a guy that routinely breaks skeet targets at 50 yards with ic choke. A 22" open choke would be a great bunny/grouse gun. I use a 18.5" open barrel on my 400. Works great in skeet as well as jumping ditches for mallards. Good luck in the grouse woods
 
Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated. I'll do more research, but it sounds as though I shouldn't necessarily get the shorter barrel threaded for choke tubes until I've tried it as is. Would like it to be 20", but 22" sounds like it might be a good compromise.

As for the question about the bead sight/hole, what I meant was...will threading the barrel be more difficult WITH that hole in place, not whether or not it's safe to shoot with a choke tube installed AFTER the bead is put back.

Thanks again, still appreciating the suggestions..
 
I dont understand. You want a short "bush" gun but it has to be able to shoot 50-60 yards?

You're not shooting that distance with anything but a lucky shot with a full choke. Maybe an extra full choke might get you some consistent results.

A "bush shotgun" to me would have a 20"-22" barrel and have IC choke. Grouse in ON are generally dumber then rocks (in areas with logging roads ~ Central, Northern ON, they definitely are) so long shots arent necassary. I'd wager ive shot more grouse int he 3-10 yard range then the >10 yard range.
 
"Dumber than rocks?"....come on! :) As stated, I'm new at grouse hunting and my first hunts yielded nothing bug a few flushes in tight bush. Couldn't get a shot-off fast enough and no, a shorter barrel probably wouldn't have changed that.

As for distance, before I hunted...I probably saw more grouse at the distances you're mentioning, almost stepped on them a couple of times while hiking along rivers in the spring. I do have more places to try this coming fall and yes, they're in some of the parts you've mentioned. With some luck, I'll run into a few with this shorter-barreled antique of mine. My grandfather passed in 1977, but I'm told this gun took plenty of grouse up until then. He was well-loved as the camp cook, and apparently did a dandy job of cooking them too.
 
I wish the grouse in southern Ontario were dumb as rocks. Can barely get withing 60 yards of them with out having them flush.
 
blasted_saber said:
I dont understand. You want a short "bush" gun but it has to be able to shoot 50-60 yards?

You're not shooting that distance with anything but a lucky shot with a full choke. Maybe an extra full choke might get you some consistent results.

A "bush shotgun" to me would have a 20"-22" barrel and have IC choke. Grouse in ON are generally dumber then rocks (in areas with logging roads ~ Central, Northern ON, they definitely are) so long shots arent necassary. I'd wager ive shot more grouse int he 3-10 yard range then the >10 yard range.
Click to expand...

Agreed - if he sees them sitting on the road 50 yards ahead, get closer! A 24 - 26 inch barrel with no choke or IC will bring down a lot of birds within 20 yards, but don't stretch it....most grouse disappear behind cover beyond that anyhow...
 
Have your second barrel Poly Choked. Most established gun shops have "cut off" poly chokes laying around. The ideal gun you want ( I mean choking) does not exist it is the holy grail of shotguns. The poly is the fastest way to get the degree of choke you need for the conditions you describe. With the poly you can have any length of barrel you want.

Darryl
 
.22LRGUY said:
"Dumber than rocks?"....come on! :) As stated, I'm new at grouse hunting and my first hunts yielded nothing bug a few flushes in tight bush. Couldn't get a shot-off fast enough and no, a shorter barrel probably wouldn't have changed that.

As for distance, before I hunted...I probably saw more grouse at the distances you're mentioning, almost stepped on them a couple of times while hiking along rivers in the spring. I do have more places to try this coming fall and yes, they're in some of the parts you've mentioned. With some luck, I'll run into a few with this shorter-barreled antique of mine. My grandfather passed in 1977, but I'm told this gun took plenty of grouse up until then. He was well-loved as the camp cook, and apparently did a dandy job of cooking them too.
Click to expand...

Carry a deer rifle in the aforementioned areas on ontario and you will see all kinds of them sitting there at 5 yards
 
ryan32 said:
Carry a deer rifle in the aforementioned areas on ontario and you will see all kinds of them sitting there at 5 yards
Click to expand...

I see quite a few while bow hunting deer from a tree stand. The odd time i'll shoot at one, I even have a bolt specifically for the task.
 
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