Which barrel length should I get?

[Likwid]

I'm fairly new to duck hunting, but I enjoy it enough to get a SBE II. My only uncertainy is which barrel length to get. I guess the price doesn't really matter if it's only going to be a difference of a hundred dollars or so. What's everyone think?

[Remy]

I would suggest a 26". I feel it is the right barrel for an SBE. Because of the relatively short forearm that the SBE has, it looks right and balances right.

 

Years ago I felt 28" or 30" were the only way to go for waterfowl, but I bought a Beretta 303 with a 26" about 10 years ago and have been totally converted. I love how a 26" barrel comes up and how it swings in an autoloading shotgun. If you put after market extended chokes in the barrel, then you have almost 27" anyway.

 

I would definitely go 26" in an autoloader and probably a pump, too.

 

And by the way, if you happen to use the gun for upland game, you will really appreciate the 26 incher.

 

[ 02-05-2006, 01:55 PM: Message edited by: Remy ]

[Cleric]

Whatever swings best for you.

[pbro21]

I was in the same situation as you last year. I picked up both when I went to buy the gun, and the 26" felt better, so I bought it. The gun has been a great performer. I don't ever think I wish I had bought the 28.

[Likwid]

Ok, sounds like the 26" is the way to go here. And yes, I do hunt upland as well, so the shorter swing should come in handy there too. Thanks guys.

[IdahoDucker]

I'm copying this from a similar thread in the Benelli forum.

 

I mostly hunt ducks and I started with a 28" pump. Shot it for about 10 years then swithed to a 30" pump for a couple then went to a 24" pump for 10 more years and they all worked great. Was a little worried about the 24" at first but never wondered after I started hunting with it. My SBE is 26" and I love it too and shoot better with it than any of the others.

Choke tube and pattern testing are the key.

[NateDog]

I would suggest a 26 inch barrel for duck hunting. I have a 26 inch Stoeger 2000 that is easy to get out of the blind and on those fast flying teal.

[DU4LIFE25]

Is there a huge difference between a 28" and a 26" barrel? I'm on the verge of ordering a 28", but if a 26" is better, I'll go with that. I just don't want to regret not getting a 28".

[NateDog]

I would check with someone who has patterned a 26" and 28" inch barrel. If I remember correctly (someone please correct me if I'm wrong!), there is no difference on the performance of the gun (one doesn't shoot any further or tighter than the other), it's whatever feels better to you. When shooting ducks out of blind with shrubs or tules around you, I prefer a shorter barrel.

[Magnum Force]

I've got a Stoeger M2000 - also got an SBE and an A5 - they've all got 28" barrels. Shot an 870 with a 26" barrel for a few years and liked it fine, but my preference is a 28" barrel. Maybe it's because that's what my dad shoots - he just turned 80 and I just turned 60, but I value his opinion - 28" barrel just swings better for me! It's all just a matter of personal preference!

 

Magnum Force

[DU4LIFE25]

Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it.

[Butch-M]

There's no difference in pattern performance. I bought a 28" ... I wish I bought the 26. The 28 seems a little long. So if you prefer the longer sight plane ... get the longer barrel though.

[Likwid]

I bought the 26" yesterday. Still haven't shot it yet, but hopefully after this weekend I'll get some trigger time in.

[iahonkerhunter]

I have had both 28 and 26 SBE II and perfer the 26 much more. It just feels better swinging it.