The reason for longer barrels (now a days) is that they point better than shorter barrels. If you look at competition shotguns, they all have 30" barrels (with the exception of skeet guns, but that is completely different, they are shooting at things 15-20yards out and need a fast swinging gun). For pass shooting, a longer barrel will point better than a shorter barrel. An easy way of thinking of it (in an exaggerated example) is try point a pencil at a moving target vs a broomstick. The broomstick gives you a longer sight plane to look down. There is a noticable difference in this when you compare a 24" barrel against a 28" barrel (or 30" if you can find one in a hunting shotgun). Manufacturers used to make long barrels because the longer barrel would provide the powder plenty of time to burn before leaving the barrel to give you more velocity on your shot. But with today's efficient powders, it isn't necessary. The comprimise is in the additional weight and overall length of the gun. That is why for turkey hunting, you don't need a long barrel, the choke is the most important thing. I shoot a 28" barrel in my sbe II because it points better than a shorter barrel. Not a huge difference to a 26" but a good bit of difference to a 24". Plus a shorter barrel is louder to your shooting companions. I think I summed it up in a very long winded version.