Goose/duck hunting and barrel length

J

jon1985

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My brother in law would like me to come duck/goose hunting with him in the coming weeks. I am looking for a hunter safety course to take, but already have my PAL. My question is I have a remington 870 with a 20" barrel on it that takes choke tubes. Is this barrel sufficient or should I look for a longer barrel?

Thanks
 
You won't gain much velocity on a longer shotgun barrel not significantly anyway but longer barrel will give you a longer sight plane and swing better for wing shooting.

For most people 26" to 28" seems to be the norm but it can be done with a 20", if this is your only shotgun then yes it will work but will it be the best waterfowl gun the answer will be no and I am sure whoever hunting with you in the same blind won't appreciate the muzzle blast from a short barrel just remember to check the choke you will be using is safe for steelshot.
 
I prefer a 28 inch barrel for waterfowl, especially geese (for the swing as mentioned above).

Does your 870 chamber handle 3 inch or just 2-3/4?

I shot the hell out of ducks and geese when I was younger with my 870 Wingmaster 28" (2-3/4). It was pre-RemChoke and was mod choke - we all shot lead then.
 
A 28 inch barrel for 2-3/4 and 3 inch is not 'excessively' expensive, however, the cost has increased due to OEM replacements having a RemChoke.
Cabelas wants 320 dollars for a vent rib 28" takes up to 3" with RemChoke.

3 inch option is nice for higher flying geese.

Aftermarket barrel is an option, there are loads out there for an 870.
Or try the 20 and see how it goes.......
 
Couple advantages of a longer barrel are 1) better swing/follow through and 2) better sight plane. You can definitely use the short barrel but it may have some disadvantages already listed above....if you are a snap shooter the shorter barrel may not cause any issue at all. Go shoot some clays and see how it feels.
Can you? Yes
Is it ideal? No
 
I shoot clays with it lots. I can hit more with a longer barrel, but I can give most of my friends a run for their money with the 20"

I will keep my eye open for a longer barrel but the 20" may have to do for this year.
 
If you are going to just go out once or twice, my advice is to just shoot what you have. If you decide later that you enjoy this sort of thing, look for a 28" barrel. I use Challenger magnum 2-3/4" BBs and knock goose down without a problem. I also like Kent Faststeel again in a 2-3/4" chamber. No need for fancy or expensive ammunition.
 
the spank said:
Drop down to a 14" and really give your buddies a good ear ringing!! They won't find the 20" so loud next time out! :p
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Funny. Your blind buddies will get an earful. Funny how when we talk barrel length we do t talk receiver length. I am surprised that long action semis or 3.5" pumps don't come with 24 inch barrels on a more standard basis.
 
Uplandguy said:
Funny. Your blind buddies will get an earful. Funny how when we talk barrel length we do t talk receiver length. I am surprised that long action semis or 3.5" pumps don't come with 24 inch barrels on a more standard basis.
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Definitely some merit in this statement. The receiver length on my Browning Gold 10 is enormous. With the 30" barrel the gun's overall length is 1.5" longer than my Beretta 687 Trap Combo with the 34" single bbl installed!!
 
Paul_T said:
A 28 inch barrel for 2-3/4 and 3 inch is not 'excessively' expensive, however, the cost has increased due to OEM replacements having a RemChoke.
Cabelas wants 320 dollars for a vent rib 28" takes up to 3" with RemChoke.

3 inch option is nice for higher flying geese.

Aftermarket barrel is an option, there are loads out there for an 870.
Or try the 20 and see how it goes.......
Click to expand...

Mossberg makes barrels for Remington 870s. They are cheaper than Remington's own. I've seen them in the Cabela's here so you an probably order one.
 
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