i was just wondering what everyones opinion was on barrel length? or do you think it even matters?

I really don't think it matters - I personally like the short barrel - I have a 21 barrel on my Rem 870 - Makes it easier to get into some hard to get spots - avoid limbs etc. I think the pattern of a gun depends largely on the choke you use. A duck hunder can shot a short barrel with the right choke.

The longer the barrel, the faster the shot will come out.

My Rem1100 is a 31 inc and loves those feds turkey mag's shells in 2 3/4 inc #5 copper plated turkey asperins <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

but the other guys are right it all depends on what your guns patterns well and thats the best thing to go with.

Now I'm only joking when I say this, but for some reason those short canadian fella's love those very long 30&quot;+ barrels for some dang reason!!! Must make them feel taller I guess!! HeeHeeHee!!!

They have mentioned in numerous hunting magazines that the modern shotshell powder that's in these turkey loads today, will burn up completely in about 18-20&quot; of barrel length!! Anything longer will act like a break on the wad, in fact slowing it down due to friction loss. While this loss isn't that great, the main reason for using a shorter barrel on your turkey gun is the much easier ability to get around and under brush and tree limbs while walking through the woods. A longer barrel is desirable while duck/goose hunting because of the longer sighting plane and for swinging with the target. A turkey gun is used mainly to shoot at a stationary bird, so you don't really need a long barrel, unless you like to flush them and then try to bust them while there in flight!! So I would suggest a 21-24&quot; barrel length as being almost perfect!!

Now, I always kid BOSSTOM with his 44&quot; turkey barrel, I always mention to him to place a Bayonet on the end of his gun and then he can just jab the birds when they get in close!! HeeHeeHee!!!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

I used to use a 30 inch barrel on my old remington 1100 worked great but man it would get hung up all the time on brush (I use a sling). I got a new 24&quot; barrel for it from hastings & have been very happy with that length. I think anywhere from 21-26 is fine.

I have a 28&quot; barrel and the gun patterns good out to 35 yards so I can live with that . Say Maytom I didn't know that about those Canadian fellows . Its just amazing what a wealth of knowledge is available on this Forum.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Maytom your always pickin on me !,
I was at the Smiths yesterday having the old Turkey gun tuned up with one of the best chokes in the world and he did tell me the longer barrel is not really needed. The problem is if he cuts off some he say he's not sure what effect it will have on the pattern now. What do you think ,, Cut it or leave it? I'm going with you guys on this , and if it don't work I'm blaming you guys EH <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>...BT

BT, don't cut it!!! I would sell off that barrel and put the money towards a new shorter one!!!

BT, I didn't catch what kind of gun it is or what length you have now. If it's a valuable gun, I'd say buy another barrel and have it shortened. If not, shorten the barrel you have. If somewhere in between, just buy a new gun with a short barrel already on it.

Never hurts to have a backup!

Romans 8:28