Barrel Length at Triple B

[xLusi0n]

Why don't they allow shotguns with 18" barrels?

[gn3hz3ku1*]

maybe because it spreads the shot out too much and too many people will have a hard time hitting the target?

[Rover]

Chokes determine more about shot spread than barrel length, though most 18" HD shot-guns have a fixed full choke. Not certain of Triple B's reasoning, but most clay ranges are like that.

[ysr_racer]

maybe because it spreads the shot out too much and too many people will have a hard time hitting the target?

No, that's not it.

Most ranges have that policy.

[kmca]

I can only answer for one range here, but they're monitored for noise levels. The rifle and pistol ranges have large berms and sound walls that attenuate the noise. The trap range is more open. The 18 inch barrels are loud enough to exceed their permitted sound levels.

[Rambo, John J.]

When I was on the skeet range at Triple B a long time back with a friend who had a tricked out HD 18.5 inch bbl shotgun, the rangemaster/owner said that the barrel must be a minimum of 20 inches because it's a COUNTY LAW.

[xLusi0n]

I personally thing it's the type of shotgun (and their owners) they want or don't want at their range. They probably see 18" shotguns as the tactical variants and not proper for the trap/skeet sport. Like dress codes at a club.

Oh well, they lost 100 dollars worth of business in just those 5 minutes I was there. Vote with your dollar, I will now just go to Prado.

[ysr_racer]

Their club, their rules.

As I said, most trap & skeet ranges have a 20" minimum.

[Rover]

Actually HD shotguns come with cylinder chokes. A full choke has the most restriction, and a cylinder the least.

Doh! I always screw that one up, I always think Full means fully open, not fully closed. In my head it made sense.

The sight radius is another good point, and a longer barrel is generally more balanced in my experience. My favorite gun is a 30" SxS with a very light buttstock, it swings and points so well it's sill. I don't see a reason to disallow somebody's gun because they won't have an easy time hitting clays, but, their club, their rules. I believe many clay ranges do it to keep crowds down a bit so there's always a spot for "serious" clay shooters who have "proper" guns.

[Foriegn power]

i asked one of the clerks working there and the gentleman said "minimum of 20" but in the end who can tell the difference of 18" and 20" maybe you can tell with 14" police shotgun and a 20" barrel. I'm sure they will not give you hell for using a 18" barrel 12 gauge.

[BigDogatPlay]

The club I shoot at won't allow anything under 20 inches and they don't allow folding or collapsible stocks so I am told. They say it has to do with safety. I think that (in some cases) they might be put off by 'tacticool', but thats just a gut feeling. I know I can shoot a good score with an 18 inch barrel, that was what we used in the academy and part of our instruction was wingshooting at a trap club.

Their club, their rules, no big whoop to me. I shoot 24, 28 and 30 inch barrels for all manner of clays. They work just fine.

[xLusi0n]

I never said they couldn't or shouldn't. I simply asked what the reasoning is.

Personally I don't go buy a "proper" shotgun cause I shoot to "train" with the gun I'll be using for HD I don't do it purely for sport.

[xLusi0n]

I'm simply stating why I don't go out and get a proper trap/skeet gun. Cause that's all I would use it for (sporting). I'mt not using it for "tactical training" either since there's nothing tactical about shooting clays. Just shooting a weapon is a perishable skill and I like to shoot the guns I use on a regular basis. Shooting clays is more fun than shooting a paper target.

To top it off, I have ghost ring sights on my 870, but I was doing better than a lot of other people nearby with fancy trap/skeet shotguns.

If I got into trap/skeet as a hobby, you're right, I would go buy a proper shotgun, I just have a different reason for going than some other people.

Which is fine, I have nothing against Triple B. Just like I don't have anything against a club that wouldn't let me in without a collar shirt. I will continue going to Prado where if they have a 20+ barrel rule, I've never been hassled about it.

[ysr_racer]

The club I shoot at won't allow anything under 20 inches and they don't allow folding or collapsible stocks so I am told. They say it has to do with safety.

It does have to do with safety. Most of the goof balls that shoot "tactical shoty's" aren't very safe

I'm joking. Most of the guys that have "tactical shoty's" never shoot 'em

[ROTC sniper]

Definitely you're choice where to go, but just like you wouldn't use a hammer to punch in a screw (although you could) proper tools for the job. Triple Bs is definitely a great spot and learning the proper, just like anything else, will make your time that much more enjoyable.

You don't have to buy a new shotgun, you could always rent one of theirs or go with a buddy and use his (for sporting clays; can't do it on trap or skeet). In any case, I'm going to bring some of my friends back there and introduce them to the sport.