real world performance difference between 18.5", 20", 23" or 24" fully rifled

[madashell]

real world performance difference between 18.5", 20", 23" or 24" fully rifled

Looking for any real world performance difference between 18.5", 20", 23" or 24" fully rifled barrels using sabots.

I come from the short carbine bush bolt action and 20" 1000 yd bolt world so I know the long barrel thing is a wash in many cases, not a debate I'm interested in opening.

Recently got a decent enough deal on a new 24" fully rifled 870 barrel and kinda already regretting it thinking I should have went for something shorter.

Obviously the longer smooth bore barrels are better for swing-ability but that's not gonna apply to a rifled barrel/sabot application.

Also not too worried about the longer sight radius advantage (to a point) because of being used to irons on a bolt carbine. Might even add a red-dot to the SG anyway.

So .... looking for any real world opinions on the various length fully rifled options.

Thanks guys.

 

[870P]

You get someless less blast and a reasonable amount of velocity with the longer barrel.

If portability isn't a big concern, why not?

OTOH though, you're probably not gaining a huge amount of accuracy with a rifled barrel, unless shooting sabot slugs of course.

 

[madashell]

You get someless less blast and a reasonable amount of velocity with the longer barrel.

If portability isn't a big concern, why not?

OTOH though, you're probably not gaining a huge amount of accuracy with a rifled barrel, unless shooting sabot slugs of course.

The extra blast on the shorter stuff doesn't really bother me. (too much time next to explosives in the work environment I guess ...lol). Know there's a bit of velocity loss but since we're already dealing with slower than bolt action rifle velocity ranges I guess this is where my concern was. That, and accuracy.

Yes, this is strictly for sabot use. Just an option I wanted to have in the tool box even if it doesn't see too much use. I'm thinking should have went shorter, pretty thick bush around here except for the logging cuts of course.

 

[Brutus]

Hard to beat 20 inches in a normal pump action IMHO.
Plenty of rifled barrel to attain decent velocity, yet hangs nice for longer shots and when carried at the trail with one arm, the muzzle does not tend to drag too low into lower brush, peat bog or mud.
Not too long of barrel length to get snagged up in thick cover either for a quick mount to the shoulder.
win win win

Edit: Maybe find yourself an interested prairie deer hunter in a place like Regina/Moose Jaw to unload that longer pipe to??

 

[madashell]

Hard to beat 20 inches in a normal pump action IMHO.
Plenty of rifled barrel to attain decent velocity, yet hangs nice for longer shots and when carried at the trail with one arm, the muzzle does not tend to drag too low into lower brush, peat bog or mud.
Not too long of barrel length to get snagged up in thick cover either for a quick mount to the shoulder.
win win win

Edit: Maybe find yourself an interested prairie deer hunter in a place like Regina/Moose Jaw to unload that longer pipe to??

Yeah, I think you're right Brutus. Might put it on the E&E to dial in something more to my liking. I'm used to the 18.5" 870P barrels but could deal with the other 1.5". I'm not seeing too much reason not to go with the shorter length. Should have thought this out a bit more beforehand.

Appreciate the advice.