I'm new to turkey hunting, and I was wondering whats the best length of barrel to use? I've seen some guns with 20in barrels, while others have 24in plus.

Appreciate any thoughts you might have!

God bless!

The shorter barrel lengths just make the gun easier to manuver and carry all day. Mine has a 24in barrel but i used a 28in barrel for years with no problem.

Some people say there is a science to barrel length, I say it's personal preference. I use a 26" on mine.

longer barrel will give more velocity out to....28" i believe...but really, in the end its not a big factor.

some say longer barrels give better patterns...but with todays loads and chokes, thats not a factor.

in the end it comes down to personal prefrence. i carried a 28" for a couple years...went to a 21" with an extended choke..really like it alot. light weight and manuvers real nicely. weight is a factor for me because its about 2 miles to my favorite spot...and if i run n gun from there, i can cover about 5 miles or so in a hunt...carrying around a boat anchor isnt real fun...

My Rem 870 Express with 26" barrelw/ 3"4x6's patterned almost identical tomy buddies'21" barrel in his NWTF edition 12 gauge with similar loads. More the loads and the extended choke than the barrel length. If there's any difference, it's minimal, out to 40 or 45 yards anyway.

I also use a Rem 870 Express, But mine has a 20" barrel w/ex full turkey choke. 3" shells. I use Federal #5 turkey loads. Differant guns pattern differantly with each brand of ammoand shot size, so it will take a little practice to get what works best for your gun.

I harvested my Ne Rio last year at 73 yds. Not a shot that I would normally take and I am not real proud to say that I took a shot at that distance. But, running and gunning at the time with one of our members from Alaska and it was take the shot or not. At the time we both thought the distance was closer to 50 yds accross the ravine.

The shorter barrels are nicer for manuverability. Most of your special purpose turkey guns, all have shorter barrels. Also, remember if you get an extra full turkey choke, that will "add" a couple inches...

I am using a Mossberg 835 with thumbhole in full camo. The gun has a 20in barrel with the XFactor Ported Turkey Choke tube.

Sounds like from everyones replies that my gun will do the job.

Thanks everyone for your responses!

That's definitely a turkey shooting gun. I got the Rem 870 SPS-T with thumbhole and it has a shorter barrel on it. Both are great turkey hunting guns! If you haven't hunted with the thumbhole yet, you will love it!!

Barrel length is all about balance & weight. Length is more important in wingshoothg than turkey hunting. Back in the old days longer barrels did hit harder & farther, but that was because the powder needed a longer barrel to burn up completely.

With more modern propellants mostof it is burned upbetween 22"-26". That beingsaid, I've done most of my shotgunning with a 28" barrel, very versatile. My only complaint is that it doesn't fit into my hard case w/o being broken down. A 26" barrel would fit better. I also have a turkey gun with a 21" barrel. It's fine for turks, but not such a goodwingshooting gun-too light in the front for me to swing accurately.