squidkid

any significant advantage of velocity or pattern density with one over the other or is it a 'go check and see' type of thing?

maytom

Check out this article from the Nitro site. I feel that a 26" barrel would be the max I'd go with. It's a personal choice all the way. Some guys only have a 30" barrel, in that case use what you have. My 1300 Turkey gun came with a 21" barrel, and I would of preferred at least a 24", but my gun still knocks em dead. It's a velocity thing. Most turkey load velocity's are based on a 30" barrel, hence if your shooting a 21" barrel, your not getting that advertized velocity thats on the box.

http://www.nitrocompany.com/pattern.htm

Wingbone

There would be no intrinsic pattern improvement in a 30" barrel over a 26" barrel and only a slight velocity improvement with the longer barrel. Personally, I think a 26" barrel is a good balance between handling and ballistics.

johnch

I use a 23" barrel and don't lose much fps over a 26" barrel .
I feel the shorter barrel is easyer to use

tnichols

They also avoid those low hanging limbs on the way to your hunting spot before first light!

BROWNING 10 GA

Maybee I'll pattern my BPS 10 gauge with its 32" barrel and have my Rhino 2" extended choke sticking out past the muzzle? I figure that may give me a little extra velocity...

Power

In rifles you lose about 100 fps per inch of barrel shorter than what they use at the factory for testing. Since this is usually based on a 3,000 fps round and shotguns are closer to say 1,000 fps I would say you could say you're losing around 30 fps per inch of barrel shorter than 30". As you can see 4" of barrel is not that significant really.

loner

i used my 870 with 26" barrel for years and loved it.i had my 28" barrel cut down to 22.5" on my browning A500G.i rarely,ever pick the 870 anymore because i like the shorter barrel so much.the turkeys don't seem to complain about lost velocity at all.

strut

I will gladly give up a little velocity for the advantages of being able to hunt with a shorter barrel, they are so much more easy in getting around in the woods. I have a Rem. SM with a 23" and a BPS 10ga with a 24" and like them both. The only thing , if you plan on using it for other things beside turkey hunting might need to be considered.

Mr. Longbeard

I would pattern them both and if the 26 inch barrel delivers a killing pattern out to 40-45 yards then that would be the barrel I would use. Go with the shortest barrel you can just for the eas off moving threw the woods

Now if you do most of your hunting sitting on the edge of a field then it really dosent matter