Barrel Length for Skeet - Long or Short?

[brybenn]

Superd222. Try going from a 30" barreled sxs 12ga with a high comb to a dual pistol gripped 18.5" pump gun haha that a falling out. People laugh and stare but stations 1-2 and 6-7-8 are not a problem. 3-4-5 we will not go there lol. The best I've done is 17 with it I love shooting different guns and it does effect the said learning curve. I shoot my best with a baikal 12ga 28 5/8" barrels choked f/m sxs. Not an ideal skeet gun but its a huntin gun that fits me and when I hit the target everyone knows when I fire that full choke. Lately I've been shooting my pump guns with 18.5" barrel cyl choke. It feels as tho I have to add another 2' of lead for the high house and at least 1.5' more for the low. Its hard to believe but the 8-10" in oal makes a bigger difference. Confidence with the gun also helps but fit and balance are the most important. I sold my skeet guns and just use my hunting guns (had to fund my double rifle and ammo). What really helps get used to low gun shooting with different barrel lengths and weights is to take a tire mounted thrower and stand rite behind. Shoot low gun and keep shooting untill you can break it at less then 20'. When the gun fits you and your body remembers it you wont notice the barrel at all and shoot from instinct no matter what the gun is. I can even aim the birds low and hit them with a 22 short most of the time