texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed, Trappernewt, casyoo
71987 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,416
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,769
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics537,021
Posts9,719,480
Members86,987
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Shotgun barrel length question #6159095 01/28/16 02:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 21
B
BuckshotBuddy Offline OP
Light Foot
OP Offline
Light Foot
B
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 21
I just bought a stoeger 12ga which has a 18.5 inch barrel , if I add a choke of some sort would that be factored into the length making it legal to hunt with?

Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: BuckshotBuddy] #6159102 01/28/16 02:38 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825
P
poisonivie Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
P
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825
I don't believe the choke can be used to figure legal length. 18.5 is legal tho.


Pee on Photobucket
Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: BuckshotBuddy] #6159156 01/28/16 03:14 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,432
T
TFF Caribou Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
T
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,432
Assuming you live in Texas, its already legal to hunt with. No minimum barrel length for hunting.


The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: BuckshotBuddy] #6159179 01/28/16 03:28 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
W
WileyCoyote Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
W
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
Legal barrel length is a Federal Regulation, and the States have no say so...Just Sayin'
Ron


It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams

"These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine

"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: WileyCoyote] #6159197 01/28/16 03:38 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,432
T
TFF Caribou Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
T
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,432
Originally Posted By: WileyCoyote
Legal barrel length is a Federal Regulation, and the States have no say so...Just Sayin'
Ron


Not true. A state can have a more stringent law than the feds, just not less so. Legal barrel lenght and legal hunting length are 2 different things. In Texas, there isn't one. Idk about other states.


The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: BuckshotBuddy] #6159529 01/28/16 07:14 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,288
S
Scary Poppins Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
S
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,288
^^ what they said.

I'd still consider adding a full choke or getting a longer barrel just to have a better chance of hitting something. But in a pinch, it'll at least get you out there and going. smile

Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: BuckshotBuddy] #6159550 01/28/16 07:33 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,766
P_102 Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,766
Adding a full choke increases chances of hitting something? Please explain, I'm cornfused.

P_102


Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: BuckshotBuddy] #6159575 01/28/16 07:55 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,288
S
Scary Poppins Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
S
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,288
Rather, see what choke is on there and possibly see if it could be tighter. A longer barrel would probably be better though. I know my old 18.5" barrel spread the shot far too quickly. I moved to 28" and all of a sudden I'm hitting things at hunting distances.

Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: BuckshotBuddy] #6159626 01/28/16 08:43 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,766
P_102 Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,766
You are legal in Texas.

Scary, an 18.5" barrel with 'x' choke does not spread shot any faster than longer barrel with the same choke. In the same way, barrel length does not make it easier to hit something other than providing a longer sight plane which most prefer. Barrel length is only a concern if it's so short that velocity suffers.

P_102


Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: P_102] #6159844 01/28/16 11:09 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
B
booradley Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
B
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
Originally Posted By: P_102
You are legal in Texas.

Scary, an 18.5" barrel with 'x' choke does not spread shot any faster than longer barrel with the same choke. In the same way, barrel length does not make it easier to hit something other than providing a longer sight plane which most prefer. Barrel length is only a concern if it's so short that velocity suffers.

P_102


Exactly.


Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: TFF Caribou] #6159847 01/28/16 11:11 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,655
C
colt45-90 Offline
Texas colt45
Offline
Texas colt45
C
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,655
Originally Posted By: Tff caribou
Originally Posted By: WileyCoyote
Legal barrel length is a Federal Regulation, and the States have no say so...Just Sayin'
Ron


Not true. A state can have a more stringent law than the feds, just not less so. Legal barrel lenght and legal hunting length are 2 different things. In Texas, there isn't one. Idk about other states.
I would like to see you convince G.W., LEO of that fact


hold on Newt, we got a runaway
Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: colt45-90] #6159856 01/28/16 11:23 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576
S
Sneaky Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576
Originally Posted By: colt45
Originally Posted By: Tff caribou
Originally Posted By: WileyCoyote
Legal barrel length is a Federal Regulation, and the States have no say so...Just Sayin'
Ron


Not true. A state can have a more stringent law than the feds, just not less so. Legal barrel lenght and legal hunting length are 2 different things. In Texas, there isn't one. Idk about other states.
I would like to see you convince G.W., LEO of that fact


What is there to convince?

Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: BuckshotBuddy] #6159972 01/29/16 12:39 AM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 548
F
FWBanger Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
F
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 548
A quick review of chapter 46.01 (10) of the Texas Penal Code will prove that a shotgun in Texas must have at least an 18 inch barrel and must be at least 26 inches overall. A detachable/removable choke cannot be considered as part of the barrel. You are legal to hunt with your gun as is.

Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: BuckshotBuddy] #6160033 01/29/16 01:04 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,284
S
scalebuster Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,284
The only real question is a 26" better than a 28". That's a debate. I'm in the 26" camp.

Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: BuckshotBuddy] #6160324 01/29/16 03:36 AM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,766
P_102 Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,766
26" or 28"... Depends on use and gun type. Overall, shorter and lighter in the field, longer and heavier in the clay sports. My field guns (28 ga. OU, 20 ga. semi auto and 16 ga. pump, (my favorite in Mod. 12)), have 26 and 28" bbls and are light, my skeet gun has 30" bbls and is heavy. P_102

Last edited by P_102; 01/29/16 03:52 AM.

Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: colt45-90] #6160376 01/29/16 04:07 AM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,432
T
TFF Caribou Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
T
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,432
Originally Posted By: colt45
Originally Posted By: Tff caribou
Originally Posted By: WileyCoyote
Legal barrel length is a Federal Regulation, and the States have no say so...Just Sayin'
Ron


Not true. A state can have a more stringent law than the feds, just not less so. Legal barrel lenght and legal hunting length are 2 different things. In Texas, there isn't one. Idk about other states.
I would like to see you convince G.W., LEO of that fact


Not sure what you mean by that. There's no law currently.

I'm saying Texas could, if they wanted, say that minimum barrel length in Texas is now 22". There is nothing you could do about it. You wouldn't be breaking federal law, but would be breaking a state law.


The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
Re: Shotgun barrel length question [Re: TFF Caribou] #6161187 01/29/16 08:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
B
booradley Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
B
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
Originally Posted By: Tff caribou
Originally Posted By: colt45
Originally Posted By: Tff caribou
Originally Posted By: WileyCoyote
Legal barrel length is a Federal Regulation, and the States have no say so...Just Sayin'
Ron


Not true. A state can have a more stringent law than the feds, just not less so. Legal barrel lenght and legal hunting length are 2 different things. In Texas, there isn't one. Idk about other states.
I would like to see you convince G.W., LEO of that fact


Not sure what you mean by that. There's no law currently.

I'm saying Texas could, if they wanted, say that minimum barrel length in Texas is now 22". There is nothing you could do about it. You wouldn't be breaking federal law, but would be breaking a state law.


Yep.


Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3