Barrel Length for Skeet

[mausercat]

My brother wants to start shooting skeet. I think I got him hooked, but he wants to buy only one more shotgun (imagine that). He own a Remington 870 but he liked my Beretta 694 sporting with 32 in barrels and my 687 Sporting with 30 in barrels. He seems to prefer the 30 inch barrels but he also likes the 32 inch barrels. I told him to get a 32 inch barrel 686 or 694. He is leaning to get a 686 sporting 30 inch barrels. Do you guys think that he should get the 32 so that if he decides to take up sporting clays he will have a better gun.

[BillyMays]

I think the weight and balance of the gun is more important. If 30" barrels on a particular gun swing the best then that's what I'll shoot. No one barrel length is "best" or else that's all they would make. It is specific to the shooter, so have him try a few options if possible and but what he shoots best.

[Thefeeder]

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My default answer is ---- He should try before he buys, buy what HE likes.

More important then what barrel length, is buying a shotgun that fits him best or can be adjusted to a basic fit easily.

Has the thought of just using the 870 with a 28" with choke tubes come into play?

Have fun, break'em all, one clay at a time

[mausercat]

His 870 is an express and one of the later models. It is not that smooth when pumped and the double shots are really hard to do with it. The Berettas seem to fit him fine with a 14 1/2 length of pull. His scores are in the low 20's with both of my shotguns. Not bad considering he has done only about 20 rounds of skeet.

[Revoman]

In most cases, the general consensus is to go with 30". 32-34 is mostly for trap, although never ruled out for any games.
30" will likely swing best and have the best balance (IMO).
What I have found also is that if you're not tall, the longer barrels will touch the ground many more times than a shorter barrel, especially if you're not watching that relationship.

[whutsup40]

I use a 28 inch for skeet and a 30 inch for sporting! Really don't think I would like a 32 for skeet, If I had to choose 1 for all I would take the 30 inch

[sigstroker]

I think my 1100 had a 22" barrel.

Skeets are easy to kill so you don't need a long barrel.

[ceh383]

Fit and feel is king!
I've shot Skeet with 28", 30" and 32" guns. The 28" was a Browning Gti, the 30" an FN SC1, the 32" a Zoli. I ran some 25's with each of them, barrel length is not critical.
If there is a possibility of shooting other games, Trap/Sporting Clays, I'd go with 30" or 32".
Perhaps not an issue, but 32" will have the better resale value and 28" the least.

But, fit is king and it sounds like he does well with Beretta's. He should shoot both guns more to figure out what he likes and dislikes about each. The stocks are different so they feel different, it may really not be the barrels...

[CWL]

30" is great for skeet.

Skeet clays come towards you, so shorter barrel(s) is typically preferred.
For trap, as the clays are flying away from you, longer barrels help more.

[smittty]

Find a gun that fits and whatever its barrel length is the barrel length.

Beretta and browning fit different, try both along with as many others as you're able to. Take 6 months or a year if that's what it takes.

[Bakerloo]

I have the 686 Sporting in 30". Like your brother, I wanted to only buy one gun, but shoot different types of games. I went with the 30" for that reason. I figured the 30" was "Jack of all trades" length barrel.

[JagerDog]

You have to be careful. For me, it's about balance. I like a neutral/between the hands balance. Some higher end / newer guns have lighter barrel profiles, so the barrels can be longer without disrupting balance.

The targets know no difference and "sighting plane" is a term that doesn't belong in wingshooting. wasn't too terribly long ago that 26" barrels ruled the skeet fields.

[JagerDog]

I think my 1100 had a 22" barrel.

Skeets are easy to kill so you don't need a long barrel.

[sigguy552]

For what it’s worth, Paul Giambrone went from a 32” to a 30”

[mausercat]

I think that he is going to get a 686 Sporter with 30 inch barrel. He still has kids at home and cannot afford to get a 694. I think in a few years he may upgrade but not right now. I will tell him to make sure that it fits him properly and to spend the rest of the money on shells and practice.