I'm OK with you guys disagreeing.
Kane, it isn't a function of velocity, it is the pattern of the shot at distance that changes with barrel length, and that's where I feel they have an advantage.
Oh of course I'm ok with disagreement too, that what discussion is born from.
Barrel length also doesn't have an affect on the shot pattern, you wont see an improved pattern solely due to a longer barrel.
The pattern is determed by how much choke is used. Of course better quality chokes in a better quality barrel will give a more uniform pattern, but everything being equil between two barrels with the only difference being the length (lest say a 21" and an 30") the pattern will be the same.
Better quality barrels will also generally give better patterns due to things like improved length and geometry of the forcing cones.
And when you think about it it makes sense, i mean the shot pellets are fully contained within the wad until after they've left the barrel, so what is the extra length going to change? On that note too, better quality ammo with better wad designs will also generally provide a better pattern.
The advantages you get with a longer barrel are a more stable swing, which it great for shooting moving clays/birds in flight and an improved sight radius with makes it easier to be precise. These reasons are why barrels in the 30" range are great for things like sporting clays where targets are small and far away. But you're not getting any more velocity or tighter of a pattern from them.
Shotguns are a strange beast though when you compare then to rifles or even pistols, so much has to do with personal fit and feel that there is no universal, different things work for different people. And when you find what works for you it's... very satisfying.
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