20 inch barrel for skeet?

[neomentat]

what are you guy's thoughts on shooting skeet with a 12 gauge shotgun 20 inch barrel? does that extra 8 inches of barrel make a big difference?

[Knight]

I go skeet shooting occasionally when I visit my relatives down in the L.A. area. When I first went, I brought my 18" 870 with me, thinking it would work fine. I got laughed at.

If you're shooting at an official range, I'd go with a longer barrel and chokes. Don't remember the proper choke size, though.

If you have your own trap thrower and are just messing around, however, I don't see why not . . .

[wildcard]

I've done it with a 20" Mossberg 590 thats "tactical" and works decently for some very informal trap shooting.. but my 28" Browning BPS with a improved or modified choke is much more effective. Aside from having a more controlled spread.. your swing will feel more natural.

[scoobysnax]

I've shot skeet with my 590, and I had no problems with it. I didn't try shooting doubles with it though.

[River Jack]

I've also wondered about this, however more specifically for dove hunting. What would be the minimum barrel length one should use for hunting doves (26")?

[Sig226]

heh, well I forgot my longer barrel last time out at the range and shot with an 18" with no problems....

You just have to be quicker....


F those who laugh.... the proof is in the points.

[FatKatMatt]

I think the best shotgun to use is the one that fits you best, and I believe this goes for all firearms. If you can shoot skeet better with a tacticool Mossberg 590 than you could with a S x S L.C. Smith more power to you. I've never used a shotgun so I don't know the spread of the shot at skeet ranges, but I would advise you to bring all your chokes to see which one works best at the ranges you will be shooting at.

[maxicon]

My teenage son and I go trap shooting sometimes with a friend of his. His dad has a nice O/U that shoots well, but the son uses their Mossberg 500 18" and is very good with it. He has no problems with doubles, but he's practiced with it a lot.

I can't hit nearly as well with it, but I'm not so fast on the pump.

[xenophobe]

It's a little more difficult to sight... shorter sight radius, and it's a lot louder...

The longer barrel aids your accuracy and pushes the sound farther away from the shooting area.

I used to shoot mechanical trap with my SPAS-12 and did very well with it.

People might laugh at you, but if you can hit all the birds, they'll shut up rather quickly.

[Hunter]

I've also wondered about this, however more specifically for dove hunting. What would be the minimum barrel length one should use for hunting doves (26")?

Whatever works for YOU. I use a Browning BPS Upland shotgun. It has a straight english stock and 22" barrel and it works great for Quail and Doves, especially if you get into some fast action shooting (say a covey of Quail breaking or Doves at daybreak, ect...) I have also taken my fair share of pheasants with it. Basically the short barrel is great for very quick "point and shoot" type shooting.