I posted this over on the turkey forum but I felt like I need to ask the waterfowl guys also. I am in the market for a new remington 870 and I am torn between the 23" barrel for turkeys or the 26" barrel for ducks and doves. I personally shoot a little longer, more balanced barrel better IMHO. (although I have a 28" Franchi that Ican't hit the broadside of a barn with)The ducks I hunt here in south Georgia are mostly woodies and the shots are usually passing shots. I know it is a tradeoff but what are your opinions? Thanks,
JO

26 inch, it will be easier to swing into the shot with and put you on target better

I have a 28"barrel on mine and use it for everything by changing chokes

You will find that a longer barrel is eaiser to "aim".

Before you say otherwise, try an experiment. Take a pencil and try and pull it up quick and "aim" it at something. Then take your broom handle and do the same thing... Which was easier to keep on target and get on target? I use 28" barrels for everything with an assortment of chokes.
My best killing shotgun is an 11-87, I can shoot it best for some reason. 28" barrel on it. Use it for Deer, ducks, quail, sporting clays, turkeys, whatever is livingthat I need dead.

26 inches for ducks and 23 inches for turkeys

If you have to choose one of the two, go with the 26 inch. You can kill both ducks and turkeys with it. I now use an 870 SPS-T thumbhole with a 23'' barrel for turkeys, but I used to use the same gun for ducks and turkeys with a 26" barrel and killed many turkeys with it. I now use an 870 supermag with a 26" barrelsolely for ducks.

I use a 32" barrel, full choke. Low brass shot gun shells seem to get a good spread from pellets. Also you can reach out there.
Thats for duck hunting.

I use a 28" barrel. Just change your chokes for different kinds of hunting.

exactly!