What is the best shotgun barrel length?
While a 26” barrel is lighter and more maneuverable, a 28” barrel is going to be more accurate for long-range shots and should be regarded as perhaps the best all-around barrel length. Keep in mind that choke selection can mitigate the inherent differences between 26” and 28” barrels.
Does barrel length on a shotgun matter?
Barrel length is an important part of the gun’s overall balance. Longer barrels tend to make the gun more nose heavy while shorter barrels make the gun more stock heavy. Shorter barrels are quick and longer barrels provide for more deliberate shooting.
What barrel length is best for home defense shotgun?
First of all, you want as short a tube as possible. This is not because a short-barreled shotgun has any ballistic advantage but rather because it handles better in confined spaces like hallways. The legal minimum is 18 inches (as long as that length does not result in a gun with an overall length less than 26 inches).
What is the average shotgun barrel length?
Decide on Barrel Length You’ll typically see hunting shotguns available in 26-inch and 28-inch lengths. But shorter 22- or 24-inch barrels, and longer 30- and 32-inch barrels, aren’t too uncommon. Simply put: Longer barrels weigh more and swing better.
Does shotgun barrel length affect accuracy?
A lengthened sight radius will help you shoot more accurately, but while the difference between a 22- and 30-inch barrel is quite pronounced and significantly affects your ability to hit a moving target, the difference between 26- and 28-inch barrels, and 28- and 30-inch barrels, is far less noticeable.
Why use a short barrel shotgun?
Shot loads gain most of their acceleration in the first 12 to 14 inches of the barrel, so short-barrels are a natural choice. Short-barrel shotguns are the perfect length for defensive use, and the shorter barrels can make the guns handier in the field. Short-barrels make a light and more maneuverable shotgun overall.
Do shorter barrels increase recoil?
So, as you can see, Keeping the rifle weight and bullet weight the same, and only changing the barrel length, you end up with a reduction of 26% driven recoil distance, and reduction of 6% of your velocity.
Does the length of the barrel affect distance?
Fact: In no part of our testing was barrel length a determining factor in accuracy. At a distance of 100-540 yards, there was no discernible difference in accuracy between various barrel lengths. This performance translated over to unknown distance shooting with all barrel lengths at ranges out to 900 yards.
Why have a short barrel shotgun?
The short-barreled shotgun (SBS) is meant for tactical offense and efficient self-defense. The short barrel gives you greater maneuverability inside buildings. If you know you will be outside, and not in confined spaces, then a full-sized gun will work fine.