↬ The length of a shotgun barrel is important to consider when choosing your next duck hunting gun. A shorter barrel could cause problems in the duck blind and too long of a barrel might not swing quick enough.
The best barrel lengths for duck hunting are 24-inch, 26-inch, and 28-inch. Shotgun barrel lengths range from 24-inches to over 30-inches, but for duck hunting 28-inch is ideal. Shorter barrels are better for hunting over decoys at close ranges and longer barrels provide better aim for long distance shots.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the 3 best barrel lengths for duck hunting and what situations work well with each. We’ll also discuss how to measure a shotgun barrel accurately and if the length of a barrel affects a shotguns pattern.
Best Barrel Lengths for Duck Hunting
24-inch, 26-inch, and 28-inch barrels are the three most popular barrel lengths for duck hunting. They offer the best handling and sight plane for fast moving birds and work best out of a duck blind. Here are the key differences between the three.
24-inch Shotgun Barrels
Shotguns with 24-inch barrels are the absolute minimum length you should consider for duck hunting. They are best used for hunting timber where shots are close range and the room to swing a shotgun is limited. 24-inch barrels point quickly so they usually end up being the first shot on decoying birds. Avoid using 24-inch barrels while hunting in duck blinds with others. They are loud and will leave your blind mates ears ringing.
26-inch Shotgun Barrels
26-inch barrels are the best duck hunting barrel length for hunting over decoys. They provide a great sight plane for shots between 20 and 40 yards, while still retaining the quick pointing and swing of the 24-inch barrel. A 26-inch barrel with a Patternmaster choke tube is one of the best combinations for effective downrange patterns.
28-inch Shotgun Barrels
The 28-inch barrel is just as common as the 26-inch for duck hunting, but it’s best used for goose hunting or combo hunts where both ducks and geese will be taken. Shotguns with 28-inch barrels provide a greater sight plane not seen in the shorter barrel lengths which makes dialing in long shots easier. Barrels in 28-inch swing smoother due to the added length and weight.
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26” vs 28” shotguns barrels, which to choose?
When deciding to purchase a new shotgun, the debate between 26” vs 28” barrels is always at the forefront. The answer to this question will come down to what you plan on hunting and where.
The 26-inch barrel excels at hunts geared towards duck hunting out of blinds with other hunters. It points and swings in tight quarters well and you won’t be missing any benefits of the 28-inch barrel if most of your shots are within 40 yards.
The 28-inch barrel excels at layout blind hunting and open field hunting situations where there are no restrictions in swinging the shotgun. It’s also the clear choice for goose hunting where shots tend to exceed 40 yards where a longer sight plane can help you dial in the correct lead.
Tips for Choosing the Right Barrel Length
- If in doubt, get a longer barrel for duck hunting
- Short barrels are best for timber hunting
- Long barrels are best for pass shooting
- 26-inch barrels are the middle ground
- Shorter barrels are louder in the duck blind
- Replacement barrels allow you to customize barrel length
- Barrel length won’t affect pattern or range of ammo
Minimum barrel length for hunting ducks
Shotguns with 18-inch barrels are too short to hunt ducks with. 24-inch barrels make for a better all-around experience and are the shortest shotgun you should consider for duck hunting.
Most of the gunpowder is consumed in the first 18-inches of a shotgun barrel, so avoiding shotguns this short could increase the efficiency of the ammo you shoot. Short barreled shotguns are extremely loud, so if you hunt in a duck blind with others, they won’t appreciate it.
30-inch shotgun barrels do have a place in the duck blind
Shotguns with 30-inch barrels are common from Browning, Winchester, and Benelli, but they don’t make the best duck hunting shotguns. 30-inch barrels give longer sight planes that excel for extended range shooting beyond 50 yards, something not typical for duck hunts over decoys.
30-inch barrels are also difficult to point and swing quickly on fast moving targets such as ducks. Barrels longer than 30-inches also exist, but they are mostly specialized for goose hunting where long-range shots are the norm.
SUMMARY
A 24-inch barrel is the minimum you should use for duck hunting. 30-inch and 32-inch are the maximum barrel lengths that provide a better sight plane for aiming long distance shots on geese.
Does barrel length affect the pattern?
Barrel length doesn’t affect the pattern of a shotgun in any meaningful way. The greatest factor that determines the results of a pattern is the choke tube. The choke restricts the shot column and affects the pattern distribution downrange.
The common misconception for duck hunting is that longer barrel’s pattern tighter and deliver better results at long range. This is true in that longer barrels offer a more accurate sight plane at longer distances for accurate shots, but a long barrel with an open choke will not pattern tighter than a short barrel with a tight choke.
How to measure a shotgun barrel
Shotgun barrel length is measured from the point at which the barrel mates with the receiver to the end of the shotgun barrel. Aftermarket extended choke tubes that extend past the barrel should not be used to determine the overall barrel length.
The easiest way to measure a shotgun barrel is to place a tape measure at the end of the barrel and extend it back to the receiver. Additionally, many shotguns will have the barrel length measurement listed in inches etched on the side of barrel itself. Always look at the writing on the barrel first to determine shotgun barrel length.
Bottom Line
Shotgun barrel length is an important aspect to consider when determining which shotgun you’ll be hunting with. The three best barrel lengths for duck hunting are 24-inch, 26-inch, and 28-inch.
24-inch shotgun barrels work well for tight timber hunting where shots are close, but they are louder than longer barrels and can cause issues with other hunters in the duck blind. 26-inch barrels are the ideal duck hunting shotgun length since they provide a quick point and shoot platform, while keeping a good sight plane for shots up to 40 yards.
28-inch barrels are best used for combo duck and goose hunts where longer shots might be needed. Barrels in 28-inch have a smoother swing and better sight plane for dialing in long shots past 40 yards.
If you’re wondering which chokes you should switch to for better patterns, there’s no better place to start than our lists of the best waterfowl chokes. Whichever choke you pick, just make sure it fits the choke system on your shotgun.
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