28" vs 30" barrel length?

Several pro pigeon, trap and skeet shooters seem to have at least one 30" guns in their arsenal. Curious as to the pros and cons as it relates to waterfowl shooting. Anyone have any first hand knowledge?

I honestly don't notice a difference.

Always heard its the choke of the gun but I prefer longer barrels for trap and waterfowl.

All I know is, a 30 inch barrel will be easier to hang up on trees and etc. Shorter barrel has better mobility!

I like the 28"

I like the 28" too for semi-autos and pumps. But you really need to handle the shotgun to see what feels balanced for that particular model. For O/U, I like 30 or 32".

never shot an o/u in the field. i like the shorter barrels because they're easier to handle in the crap out there.

You need to see what fits you best. No real difference in shot pattern IMHO.

For me I can do either (and have both) but prefer a 30"....don't know why but I shoot the 30" better. I also like that the barrell is slightly out of the blind a little more when swinging.

FYI, I do not like a 26 at all.

Smoother swing, less barrel movement.
Most sporting guns sold nowadays are 30, 32. 34".

It does make a difference.

Most waterfowl guns are 28", clay shooting guns tend to be longer. But it's whatever you like best, and if you cannot tell the difference, you might as well go with the "most popular", if for any other reason it will be easier to sell if you need to.

I prefer a 28" for hunting, but would like a 30"+ for clays.

The longer the barrel, the less the perceived lead on your target. That's something to think about, especially if you switch guns.

The only gain past 26" is sight radius. A longer barrel will set the forward sight farther out and thus increase your accuracy a bit. Outside of that you get into balance issues. Clays and trap like a long barrel and heavy gun to smooth out the swing and shot. As far as grouping of the shot density no difference.

longer the barrel the higher the muzzle velocity, speed kills.

also, sighting plane is better on a longer barrel, more precise on longer shots.

that being said, I don't own one longer than 28"

I don't own a 28" shot gun... they are all 26 or 24".

That's why u keep missing those long shots

I been shooting for a lot of years and a 28 is my choice

That's being a bad gambler not bad shot

The greatest day in a ducks life is when he flys into my pattern

Upland guns tend to be shorter.
My favorite 28 gauge for quail has a 26" barrel. Easier to pack all day in brush and field.

You get a faster swing with a shorter barrel, that's probably why shorter barrel is preferred for upland. I think I would like a shorter barrel for teal. A shorter barrel is better on reactive shots. Shorter barrels on clay you tend to over swing.

no doubt.
Long passing shots on dove...at least 28" for me.

I usually tend to put my deeks out to 40 yards where I need a 3-4' lead...maybe I should go up to a 34" so I don't over swing?

Maybe. A couple inches of barrel movement can translate to feet at 40 plus yards.

No, I would stick with what you like.

I bought a new Beretta Xtrema 2 a few years ago and asked a lot of my hunting buddies the same question. It was reasoned to me that if I bought the 26" Beretta, that it would be about the same length gun (butt to muzzle) as my 28" O/U that I shoot skeet and dove with. I measured them and sure enough they were very close. I bought the 26" Beretta and haven't regretted it once. I have patterned the gun at 35 yards against with 28" guns and there is no difference. Choke and quality of the shells make them all equal in terms of pattern. Longer barrel and line of sight could be an advantage, but as with most things it is a personal preference.

Not true. It might have been true in 1910 with slower burning powder but a modern load reaches it's full velocity at about 18"s.

The difference is not in the pattern. It's in the swing. Not at the result of the impact, it's at the origination.

Yep

I have an old 1100 with a 30" on it and have not found a gun I can shoot better with, especially on longer shots. Maybe it's the slower swing or just better balance.

I also believe it helps on longer shots. Had a group of guys I was hunting with and we decided to sky bust some geese. We were all shooting the same Kent#2s and I brought down 2 snows and the 3 other guys didn't get a bird. Figure that one out...

You led them and they didn't.