best all-around barrel length?

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subneural

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Applogies in advance if this is newb question; being very new to the shooting sports, and mainly interested in trap and waterfowl hunting, I've decided AGAINST buying a remington 870 express as my first shotgun.

I think I'll be better off (in the long-run) buying a Benelli Supernova instead, given the supernova comes with 3 choke tubes and custom-fit combs. I also believe Benelli's hold their value better than an 870 express, should I decide to sell it in the future.

I really like the timber-hd pattern on the Supernova, but that particual pattern is only available with a 26" barrel, whereas the black synthetic and other patters are available in both 26" and 28".

Given that I'll mostly be shooting clays or ducks, will I really notice loosing the 2 inches of barrel if I go with the 26"er? Or am I better of with the 28"er?

Thanks
 
the 26" will be a little bit quicker getting on target while the 28" will have a smoother swing. thats all it really is, there is no significant ballistic advantage/disavantage, its all about the swing. i think that most clay shooters would tell you that the longer barrel will probably be better - but ask someone like Claybuster.
 
Remember too that a hinge gun like a SxS or O/U has a receiver that is a couple of inches shorter than a pump or auto.

28" on my SxS point like a 26" on a pump/auto.
 
^the Benelli itself is one longass gun too.
im too lazy to dig mine out of the cabinet to measure but my Benelli Nova is significantly bulkier, and the receiver is probably at least an inch longer than an 870. thats something to consider as well - a 26" Benelli might be closer to a 28" 870 in length.

**edit - just realised all my 870s are 3" models - i dont have any Super Mags, so scratch that.
 
If you are going to be shooting Clay's and Duck's. Why not go 30" They swing nicer and have a longer siteing plane. Much better for Clay's and it shouldn't hamper your Duck shooting.
 
subneural said:
Applogies in advance if this is newb question; being very new to the shooting sports, and mainly interested in trap and waterfowl hunting, I've decided AGAINST buying a remington 870 express as my first shotgun.

I think I'll be better off (in the long-run) buying a Benelli Supernova instead, given the supernova comes with 3 choke tubes and custom-fit combs. I also believe Benelli's hold their value better than an 870 express, should I decide to sell it in the future.

I really like the timber-hd pattern on the Supernova, but that particual pattern is only available with a 26" barrel, whereas the black synthetic and other patters are available in both 26" and 28".

Given that I'll mostly be shooting clays or ducks, will I really notice loosing the 2 inches of barrel if I go with the 26"er? Or am I better of with the 28"er?

Thanks
Click to expand...

It all comes down to personal preference, fit and which one you swing and shoot the best. Barrel length has virtually no impact on velocity,pattern or range with a shotgun and the different lengths are quite literally to aid in helping the shooter shoot better for a particular application.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. I went to my local gun room today and handled and swung both the 28 and 26. I was able to bring the 26'er up quicker, and overall it just felt better. So I bought it in the TimberHD finish ;-)

Now I just need to wait for the mailman to deliver my PAL so I can go pick it up!
 
subneural said:
Thanks everyone for the advice. I went to my local gun room today and handled and swung both the 28 and 26. I was able to bring the 26'er up quicker, and overall it just felt better. So I bought it in the TimberHD finish ;-)

Now I just need to wait for the mailman to deliver my PAL so I can go pick it up!
Click to expand...

Your selection was appropriate. Personally, I find Benelli pump/semi shotguns feel and "navigate" better with 26in bbls.
 
I picked my Benelli up today :) and spent the evening degreasing, cleaning and lubing in prep for (hopefully) a trip to the range on Wednesday. I suspect my wallet will only get lighter from here on in...

Thanks for all the advice.
 
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