How Much Difference does 2" Make?

[tallengnr1]

Here is an article where they tested velocity of different shotgun loads on different length barrels:

https://www.theboxotruth.com/barrel-length-shotgun-affect-velocity/

He measured barrels from 20" to 36" and every few inch increase in length shows a small increase in projectile velocity.

[200Apples]

As far as pattern goes, barrels as short as 18" don't begin to spread double-aught buck until after 10 yards. The faster the load, the larger the spread.

This from Cylinder Bore, Improved, and MOD-choked barrels in my two 870s and one 1100; all 18" barrels.

(I have these shotguns' OG 26" and 28" barrels; the guns are in Texas tactical mode for the time being)

[smittty]

The two stoeger coach guns I had were both made in Brazil. One was 12 ga and the other 20 ga.

Regarding barrel length, it's personal preference.

My Beretta o/u had 30" barrels and the stoeger had 20", and on the trap field, yes I said trap field, both worked just fine.

The guys at the club seemed to get a kick out of seeing the coach gun and I always let people try it.

Everyone was surprised that they were hitting the clays with it, and that's with the same target loads as what you normally use so what does that tell you?

[JagerDog]

Longer barrels = closer to target.

It's a novelty anyways. I'd see what they're using in Cowboy Action.

[Bull Elk]

I once had a girl friend who was amazed at what a difference 2 inches made.

[bajajoaquin]

I once had a girl friend who was amazed at what a difference 2 inches made.

Thank you for that. Took long enough (see what I did there?)

[bajajoaquin]

Here is an article where they tested velocity of different shotgun loads on different length barrels:

https://www.theboxotruth.com/barrel-length-shotgun-affect-velocity/

He measured barrels from 20" to 36" and every few inch increase in length shows a small increase in projectile velocity.

I just came across The Box O Truth for the first time recently. Love the whole concept. I also saw the link to the test on choke and pattern. I haven't read it yet, but the line that it's all about choke and not about barrel length was pretty clear.

The two stoeger coach guns I had were both made in Brazil. One was 12 ga and the other 20 ga.

Regarding barrel length, it's personal preference.

My Beretta o/u had 30" barrels and the stoeger had 20", and on the trap field, yes I said trap field, both worked just fine.

The guys at the club seemed to get a kick out of seeing the coach gun and I always let people try it.

Everyone was surprised that they were hitting the clays with it, and that's with the same target loads as what you normally use so what does that tell you?

What did you think of 12 vs 20-ga? That's going to be the next issue for me. right now I have 20-ga guns, and I'm a little reluctant to start adding another caliber/gauge to my storage locker.

So it seems that it comes back to aesthetics for me then. Do I want to pay $50 more for what is probably an inferior quality shotgun (but still serviceable), or get the Stoeger in 20" or 26"?

[200Apples]

bajajoaquin

I'm not going to hunt with this, shoot skeet with this, or use it for home defense. It's just to blast stuff in the dez. I know logic has nothing to do with it, but I don't want to make something worse than an off-the-shelf option.

So it seems that it comes back to aesthetics for me then. Do I want to pay $50 more for what is probably an inferior quality shotgun (but still serviceable), or get the Stoeger in 20" or 26"?

20" because the shorter, side-by-side break action is the most wicked-looking firearm ever conceived (and partly due to it's elegance [simplicity]).
If you were going to shoot clays with it, you'd want the 26", however the 26" for HD and desert blasting, the *sawed off* effect is nowhere near as pronounced.

On the other hand, since the receiver is so short, the overall length of the 26" gun isn't as long as a rifle with a similar barrel length.

As for the 20 gauge vs. 12, if the 20 gauge is built on a smaller receiver (less mass), then the perceived recoil may be about as pronounced as a 12 gauge, so... and really, 12 does it all with the availability of reduced-recoil rounds, various buck sizes and slug weights.

[ysr_racer]

Ten inches, right?

[trapperjohn]

[ysr_racer]

Only if you’re British.

I'm Jewish and I've always used the phrase, give it a Jewish ten inches and held my hand up like that. I think it's funny, my Jewish friends think it's funny, other people not so much

It's a thinly veiled reference to your schmeckle.

[bajajoaquin]

It’s why women can’t parallel park... they’ve spent their whole lives being told that’s ten inches.

[deckhandmike]

What does it matter? It’s not a long range gun. Does 5% matter? What’s more handy?

[SkyHawk]

I always thought the 20” barrels looked too long and wished for a SxS with 18”.

Look out for a Russian Baikal too. Unfortunately the import ban on Russians makes them hard to find. I have one with exposed hammers. It has screw in chokes. I do well shooting clays with it.

[pacrat]

My wife who is 5 foot nothing tall. And weights a few pounds under 100. Loves her 20 ga, 20", coach gun. And the obsofreak'nlutely "handiest" upland field gun I ever had was a 20" 12 ga coach gun. Both with hammers.

Can't begin to recollect how many hundreds of rabbits, dove, and quail were bagged with it. Carried with hammers back and "broke open". Only took a second to close and mount in one smooth movement. And the short tubes allowed it to be carried one handed, by the pistol grip "broke open" and not drag the barrels in the dirt.

Double triggers allows you to switch hassel free from open first going away shots. And tight first for incomers.

BTW, both were/are Rossi made in Brazil. Mine was choked IC/Mod. Hers is Mod/Full. Both have accounted for solid 40 yd takedowns of dove many times. I upgraded to a Beretta O/U 26" 12 ga. My wife gave me as a gift. And since my cousin just had to have my coach. I sold it to him for the same $75 I paid for it. A month later it was stolen during a burglary.