If you're hunting out of a pit, you would sure have to be carefulnot to ringanyone's ears with a 22 inch barrel. If you're shooting at decoyed birds, it will be plenty to bring them down but not the best choice. I love a 24 inch barrel for my waterfowl hunting, I like the quick response, but I only shoot decoyed birds. MOST, waterfowlers prefer a 26 to 28 inch barrel. Good Luck.