I'm in the market for a over under shotgun, I'm sort of leaning toward a 20 ga. beretta 686 silver pigeon. i'll be using it for grouse , pheasants, and what have you. Could someone explain the benefits to different barrel lengths?
Thank You in advance for any input

I will try to answer this one as best i can. I was reading something the other day about different lengths and it was talking about the BB patterns and such. I myself use a 28 inch but that is because i am not really paying attention to it, as long as it hits what i am aiming at, its all good *l* I think the 26 would be better when you are hunting quail or other upland birds in brushy areas or whatever, a duckblind too because you don't have to worry about hitting it on the side or even another hunter if he/she is in there with you. In short, it all depends on what type of hunting you plan to do, at least that is what i do rather.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Live to hunt, hunt to live, be the eyes of the hawk <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

According to an Orvis book on shotgunning, the biggest effect of barrel length is weight & balance of the gun. I'd concentrate on getting a shotgun that you're accurate with, as per Red Hawk's advice.
This weekend, I tried out a friend's new Citori. Very light and short. An excellent gun for sure, but too light in my hands to keep a good swing on the doves. With my heavier longer (and much less glamorous) pump I fared a somewhat better. The doves can still put &quot;moves on me that Ajax won't take off&quot; but that's a different story.

I find I do better with the longer barrel , I have a 26&quot; and a 30&quot; and do much better with the 30&quot;barrel . It just has a smoother feel to me when I'm shooting.

The general rule is that shorter, lighter barrels are quicker to get on target and are better for quick short range shooting such as bobwhite, woodcock and forest grouse.

Longer heavier barrels provide a little more precise pointing and help smooth your swing. They tend to be better for waterfowl, dove, pheasants, prairie grouse and sporting clays.

Most people compromise and go with 26 or 28' in a 20ga O/U. Those will work for both, just see what feels best to you.

Hello again,
I just want to thank you for all your advice. I made a purchace today, I went with 30&quot; barrels, It had better balance with the longer barrels. I also have an old Lefever side by side in 12ga. that will do me in the brushy situations. Thanks again Brknarrow.