28" vs 30" barrel

[HMGHUNTER]

Is there a noticeable difference between the two using same rounds and choke?

[midlife]

What model are you looking at? I think you notice a much bigger difference b/w brands, and style (over under, semi, pump), than an extra 2 inches on the barrel.

[Spyder]

It'll make the pattern start 2 inches further towards your target!

[NytWolf]

I have an in-law who is constantly talking about how he wants to buy a 30" barrel shotgun WITH a choke. Obviously, it shoots further, otherwise, why would manufacturers make a 30"? As much of a difference as going from a 24" to 26" barrel on a rifle? I'm sure the difference isn't that much, but I'm sure there a difference.

[kmca]

I have an in-law who is constantly talking about how he wants to buy a 30" barrel shotgun WITH a choke. Obviously, it shoots further, otherwise, why would manufacturers make a 30"? As much of a difference as going from a 24" to 26" barrel on a rifle? I'm sure the difference isn't that much, but I'm sure there a difference.

It doesn't shoot any further and doesn't necessarily pattern any better. Main difference is balance.

[AAShooter]

It doesn't shoot any further and doesn't necessarily pattern any better. Main difference is balance.

This! You will notice swing and balance differences. Depending on what you are shooting, you may prefer one over the other. For example trap shooters tend to shoot longer barrels. Skeet tends to shoot shorter barrels.

[NytWolf]

It doesn't shoot any further and doesn't necessarily pattern any better. Main difference is balance.

He swears by it though. He knows nothing about balance.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

He swears by it though. He knows nothing about balance.

So he is an idiot. You used to see a lot of those 30"+ barrels back when people did a lot more goose hunting. In fact, many of the old "goose guns" are nothing more than the standard model with a couple of extra inches on the barrel. It really doesn't do that much for the ballistics. The powder is normally all burned by that point anyway, so you really aren't gaining velocity. In fact, depending on the load, you may actually start to lose performance from the drag on the wad by the extra barrel length. However, that does absolutely nothing to change people's minds. Some people just have certain "facts" about firearms so ingrained in their heads that no amount of evidence to the contrary will sway them. IIRC, they make a 30" extension that you can screw into the choke tube threads. Suggest that he go buy one of those to improve his patterns. Meanwhile, back in reality, a 26"-28" barrel will get you all the performance you need, unless you are a serious competitor in one of the shotgun events.

-Mb

[Capybara]

I shoot a 30" barreled Red Label SC. It's all about the swing and balance, not what it does to the shot pattern.

[CWDraco]

So he is an idiot. You used to see a lot of those 30"+ barrels back when people did a lot more goose hunting. In fact, many of the old "goose guns" are nothing more than the standard model with a couple of extra inches on the barrel. It really doesn't do that much for the ballistics. The powder is normally all burned by that point anyway, so you really aren't gaining velocity. In fact, depending on the load, you may actually start to lose performance from the drag on the wad by the extra barrel length. However, that does absolutely nothing to change people's minds. Some people just have certain "facts" about firearms so ingrained in their heads that no amount of evidence to the contrary will sway them. IIRC, they make a 30" extension that you can screw into the choke tube threads. Suggest that he go buy one of those to improve his patterns. Meanwhile, back in reality, a 26"-28" barrel will get you all the performance you need, unless you are a serious competitor in one of the shotgun events.

-Mb

Half the arguments here are due to this.

[mjsweims]

The other thing a longer barrel will get you is a better sight picture and a more accurate POI. Simple geometry. This has been explained in other threads.
As far as balance goes that is simply a matter of how it feels to you, not someone else. Everyone will like something slightly different. If you are not noticing the balance you probably are shooting a gun that is well balanced for you.
Generally longer barrels are not as whippy on the swinging as shorter barrels. Likewise shorter barrels are not necessarily as steady as a longer barrel. If the barrel gets too long or too short acquiring targets and shooting at them gets very difficult.
I use a 34" gun for trap, a 30" for trap doubles, and a 28 or 30 for hunting. If I start shooting skeet or sporting, I'll likely start with my 30" O/U.

[goldduster]

I'm primarily into Skeet with SC whenever possible. Personally prefer a 30", but 28" works well also. I believe the longer barrel helps in the swing and follow through, with some help due to the longer sighting plain.

[bjl333]

Depends on the action you like to shoot with, with an O/U I prefer a 30", an auto 28". I shoot mostly Skeet and the occasional round of SC. The overall sight picture is about equal because of the longer receiver of an auto.

[SilentPea]

other advantages of the long barrel are lower perceived noise and slightly less felt recoil.

[lewdogg21]

I've found that you can add more mall ninja attachments with the extra 2" of barrel. I'm up to 6 flashlights and 5 bowie knives on my Benelli.