What length barrel is your turkey gun?

[Sidney Smith]

I see a lot of guys are using long barreled fowlers for turkeys. How many of you use a shorter barrel and why?

For me, most all of my turkey hunting is done in forested lands. To that end, I wanted something light and portable. Something easy to get positioned on a bird if it were to come in at an odd angle etc. I don't want the muzzle hitting brush and getting caught up. So, I chose a 36 inch barrel. I didn't want to go too short as to lose velocity from the load. I felt 36 inch to be a good compromise.

 

[sb 54 cal.]

32" 62 cal. Trade gun light and easy to carry.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

36" sounds good to me. I will make mine 48" just because. I have built several with 50" barrels in 10 and 11 bores.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Also, just because a gun has a long barrel doesn't mean it's heavy. I have made several fusil de traits with 53 1/4" barrels that weigh 7lbs.

 

[Rob M.]

Interesting .... Following . Like Numb said ...long barreled doesn't mean heavy but they can be a pain in brushy areas . Last 42" Carolina Gun I made was 5 1/2 pds. . I like the handy ness of the shorter guns but I'd never take one under 40" turkey hunting . Its a pain getting a good tight group from a 42" barreled gun , why handicap your yourself on purpose ? Shot cups are helpful for tightening up groups ....

 

[tenngun]

42” .62

 

[Sidney Smith]

Interesting .... Following . Like Numb said ...long barreled doesn't mean heavy but they can be a pain in brushy areas . Last 42" Carolina Gun I made was 5 1/2 pds. . I like the handy ness of the shorter guns but I'd never take one under 40" turkey hunting . Its a pain getting a good tight group from a 42" barreled gun , why handicap your yourself on purpose ? Shot cups are helpful for tightening up groups ....

I've not had any issues getting decent patterns out of my 36 inch barrel.

 

[wattlebuster]

My turkey gun has a 32 inch colerain oct to round barrel that has been jug choked extra full by Danny Caywood. That barrel is very handy in the thick woods that I hunt in. It shoots very good patterns out to 40 yrds. I like it but it may not be everyones cup of tea

 

[martin9]

I've got 2...one with a 37.5" barrel and another with a 46" barrel. I just grab either depending on my mood that morning. I don't really think about the length difference. When I set up I just make sure I can swing my gun smoothly in front on me. If a briar or a few limbs are in the way they get chopped down right quick.

 

[Rob M.]

I've not had any issues getting decent patterns out of my 36 inch barrel.

Cool !! I always tell my customers , if they ask , I suggest a 36" barrel as a mimimum barrel length

 

[Rob M.]

My turkey gun has a 32 inch colerain oct to round barrel that has been jug choked extra full by Danny Caywood. That barrel is very handy in the thick woods that I hunt in. It shoots very good patterns out to 40 yrds. I like it but it may not be everyones cup of tea

Sounds awesome !!

 

[shaman]

42" on my Pedersoli Brown Bess.
It is not what I'd call an ideal turkey gun, but it gets the job done.
I'm shooting 60 grains of 3F and 1 2/3 oz of #6.
What it lacks is trunions. It really needs a carriage or at least a team of bearers.

"Bwana! Tumemwona ndege mkubwa. Njoo! Njoo!"

Good help is hard to get these days.

 

[rich pierce]

46” on my .69. My .62 has a 48” barrel. Have not got that shooting shot well yet.

 

[harleysboss]

Mine is 30 inches octagon to round jug choke full by Caywood. I keep my shots under 30 yards. It’s put a couple on the ground so far.

 

[sheriff john]

Both I'm carrying this year are single-barrel shotguns - one percussion, one flint with over 40" barrels. Percussion's an original, flint's a custom. Neither choked. 12 gauge.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I see a lot of guys are using long barreled fowlers for turkeys. How many of you use a shorter barrel and why?

For me, most all of my turkey hunting is done in forested lands. To that end, I wanted something light and portable. Something easy to get positioned on a bird if it were to come in at an odd angle etc. I don't want the muzzle hitting brush and getting caught up. So, I chose a 36 inch barrel. I didn't want to go too short as to lose velocity from the load. I felt 36 inch to be a good compromise.

10 gauge 48" barrel. It's never been a problem in brush.

 

[Zutt-man]

43” .58/24

 

[Y2GREY]

44” in .62

 

[Eric Krewson]

My 12ga has a 38" Colerain barrel jug choked by Caywood, it shoots the best pattern with a Sky Chief load.

 

[Jason holgate]

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