Newbie Gun Question

elkbane · 02-21-2007, 08:50 PM

Hey, I am looking to get into both turkey hunting and waterfowl hunting this year. I done plenty of big game hunting, but have never bird hunted before so I don't have a shotgun yet. From the research I have done, It looks like most people prefer longer barrels in the neighborhood of 28" for waterfowl and barrels closer to 23" for hunting turkey in the woods. Would a gun with a 26" barrel be a good all-around size for both sports? I would much prefer buying only one do-it-all gun than having to buy two specialty guns for different sports. Of course, if a 26" is both too long for turkey hunting and too short for waterfowl, I wouldn't want to waste money on a gun that's not effective for either sport. I am new to this so any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

RIStrutStopper · 02-21-2007, 09:07 PM

I don't hunt waterfowl, but when I got my shotgun nearly 20 years ago it came with a 28" VR barrel and a 20" slug barrel. I've been using the 28" barrel for turkeys and although its a little long it really hasn't hampered me in the turkey woods, even with an extended choke tube. It gets the job done too!

stretch56 · 02-22-2007, 12:43 AM

Barrel length is your own prefference the newer guns get great performence out of short barrels. My brother is in to duck huning big time. He loves the shorter barrels.
If your buying a gun make sure you get one with a removeable choke most all newer ones have. Duck hunting you will probably want amodified choke shooting steel shot. Lead shot is illegal over water. Turkey hunting you will want full or extra full ckoke pending how it patterns.

fantail · 02-22-2007, 03:47 AM

I agree with the others, barrel length is really a personal preference. I duck hunt some and I have hunted with several fellas that use a 24" to duck hunt with. As for me, I opt for the middle and use a 26" for all around. One thing I have noticed about shorter barrels is that they are somewhat louder to the shooter IMO

mouthcaller · 02-22-2007, 08:34 AM

I've used the 870 express exclusively for 20+ years as my main waterfowl and turkey shotgun. It has the 28" barrel and I wouldn't change a thing about it. The longer barrel is a tremendous asset when swinging on waterfowl and I don't find it to be a hinderance while turkey hunting. In other words, the benefit of the longer barrel for waterfowl greatly outweighs any inconvenience while turkey hunting.

Another thing - I don't set down to call in the middle of a viney thicket, so that 28" barrel is rarely anissuefor me.

Wolf651 · 02-22-2007, 09:47 AM

Like stretch56 said "it all your preferences." I have a 26" barrel and with the extended chokes it goes to 27-1/2". I haven't pattern any shells yet out of thisbarrelyet because this is also my first year turkey hunting and the weather is too cold. I use this gun for everything from deer to small game hunting. I don't duck hunt so I couldn't help you there but my cousin use a 24" barrel with an extended choke for duck hunting and it works out great for him.

elkbane · 02-22-2007, 06:28 PM

Thanks for the comments, guys. I appreciate the input. I'll have to shoot around with several different lengths to see what I like, but 26" doesn't sound like a bad way to go.

BuckRogers · 02-26-2007, 07:57 PM

I have two shotguns one has a 26 inch barrel that I use for pheasants. That is in 20 ga. I also have a 12 ga with a 24 in barrel that I use for turkeys ducks and geese. The 12 gives me the exta power and distance needed to bring down the bigger birds. I like the shorter barrel for fast pointing. I would also suggest semiauto for the follow up shots. This is just my personal preference. As for brand this is also up to you but I LOVE my Berettas. I would suggest the A390as it is fairly cheap for semiauto and it is very reliable and capable.