Barrel length (slugs)

[opulido]

Does barrel length matter with slugs out of a smooth bore? If so, what barrel is best for slugs?

[Haroldknipp]

I'm no expert, just a noobie, but with talking to the guys I bought my gun from said there wasn't much difference in accuracy between a 14" and 24" barrels, just slightly less velocity out of the shorter barrel.
I believe one of them shot several 3 gun stages with slug targets at 100 yds, as well as flying clay birds, using a 14" barrel. I wish I could have a shorter barrel here, they look terrific.

[aippi]

No with a smooth bore as you don't have rifling to seal the projectile as pressure builds and shotgun powder hits complete burn in about 9 to 10 inches (some guys who reload can give better details on that). You are not getting any benefit after about 18" as gases are escaping around the projectile. A Rifled slugs flairs at the base to trap the gases behind it but it is in now way as effective as a fully rifled barrel with sabots.

There is the issue of the sights. The further apart the rear and font sight is the more accurate, however I can't see this as significant on a short range gun. On a Rifle yes, but on a shotgun no.

A 20" Smooth bore rifle sight barrel is your best bet for slugs. A fully rifle barrel of course is better if you want to shot sabots but that is all you can shoot from it and at over $2 a round that gets stupid except for deer hunting as you only shoot a few rounds a year. Fully rifled barrels are generally 20" to 24".

[opulido]

Thanks guys!

[Whiterabbit]

Imo, it's a .6-.7" hole, backed by 400 grains of metal. No, barrel length doesn't matter. What would you lose in terminal ballistics from a serbu super shorty vs a 32" barrel? Practical Terminal ballistics.

Again, my opinion.

[P5Ret]

I'm no expert, just a noobie, but with talking to the guys I bought my gun from said there wasn't much difference in accuracy between a 14" and 24" barrels, just slightly less velocity out of the shorter barrel.
I believe one of them shot several 3 gun stages with slug targets at 100 yds, as well as flying clay birds, using a 14" barrel. I wish I could have a shorter barrel here, they look terrific.

Someone is yanking your chain. Minimum federal shotgun barrel length is 18 inches. I doubt that any 3 gun match allows SBS to be used. Not to mention 3 gun is a speed and accuracy based competition a 14 inch barreled shotgun would be at a huge disadvantage capacity wise.