Suppose I had an 18 in barrel that accepted choke tubes on my 12 guage and wanted to duck hunt with it. Would that be a bad idea and if not, what choke would you use? I realize that this would limit range somewhat. Does anyone have data on the differences in pattern, velocity and drop between different barrel lengths using different ammo? I'm not really a shotgun person but I've had fun the few times I've duck hunted and I'm mostly just curious about this.
Waterfowl Hunting With A Short Barrel
- Thread starter bearcreek
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WestKentucky
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Depends on how you hunt. Layout blinds not an issue, covered pits or shooting houses could be a big issue. It's always ugly when somebody touches off a hot 12ga load into a 2x4 inside of a blind. Shorter barrels make it easier for that to happen.
What's a layout blind?
WestKentucky
Member
That's what guys here call them, that may be a regional term, but it's basically where people lay down in a field and cover the selves up with stuff to disguise their shape, then sit up and shoot as the birds come in to the decoys around them. I'm no duck hunter, but a lot of my friends are...one of them has a grossly disfigured left side of his face from 2x4 schrapnel.
I've done it with barrels as short as 22". It isn't ideal but can work and it does depend on the tactics. I was hunting wood ducks in beaver ponds. Shots happen fast and fairly close, not much different from quail. A shorter than normal length is actually a bit of an advantage here.
You'd be OK over decoys with someone that was good at calling too. The real disadvantage would be for pass shooting at longer ranges. On a pump or semi 26" is about ideal to me, but if an 18" barrel was all I had I wouldn't stay home.
If you're using steel shot an IC choke is about right for close to mid range shooting. Steel patterns tighter than lead anyway so you'll be getting patterns closer to modified. A modified choke would probably be too tight for the closer shooting you'd do.
Velocity will not be enough different from the shorter barrel to matter. Neither will the pattern, it is the choke tube that determines pattern and the same tube will pattern the same from an 18" barrel as a 28" barrel.
The difference is in balance and the way the gun swings. A shorter barrel works well for quick point shooting on targets moving almost directly towards or away from you. A longer barrel puts weight away from you and swings smoother for longer passing shots. It is possible to make the same shots at the same ranges, it is just easier with a longer barrel. Especially on shots that are crossing
You'd be OK over decoys with someone that was good at calling too. The real disadvantage would be for pass shooting at longer ranges. On a pump or semi 26" is about ideal to me, but if an 18" barrel was all I had I wouldn't stay home.
If you're using steel shot an IC choke is about right for close to mid range shooting. Steel patterns tighter than lead anyway so you'll be getting patterns closer to modified. A modified choke would probably be too tight for the closer shooting you'd do.
Velocity will not be enough different from the shorter barrel to matter. Neither will the pattern, it is the choke tube that determines pattern and the same tube will pattern the same from an 18" barrel as a 28" barrel.
The difference is in balance and the way the gun swings. A shorter barrel works well for quick point shooting on targets moving almost directly towards or away from you. A longer barrel puts weight away from you and swings smoother for longer passing shots. It is possible to make the same shots at the same ranges, it is just easier with a longer barrel. Especially on shots that are crossing
MCgunner
Member
Actually, a quicker handling gun can get you on some fast moving early morning teal quicker than a longer barrel. I knew a guy that hunted with a 20" turkey barrel on a BPS. BUT, my guns are standard 28", no complaints.
IT CAN BE DONE, however, and actually CAN be advantageous.
I never hunt from blinds. There are none on the public land I hunt. You just hunker down in the spartina grass hunting salt marsh pot holes.
IT CAN BE DONE, however, and actually CAN be advantageous.
I never hunt from blinds. There are none on the public land I hunt. You just hunker down in the spartina grass hunting salt marsh pot holes.
Browning Guy
Member
Yeah it can be done with enough practice on moving targets to get used to the lead and swing. But as mentioned in the previous post. If you are in an enclosed blind be SURE the muzzle is beyond the blind before letting a round go, your ears (and your buddies ears) will thank you. Let us know how it works for you. With steel shot try a mod. choke or Imp. Cyl and pattern it to see the results. With Bismuth probably a Mod. or Full and pattern it to see.
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