[bbkid]

Another season approaches and I am wondering if I want to try a longer barrel on my Remington SP-10. I have a 26" now and I am considering a 28" or maybe a 30". I would like to know your opinion.

BTW, if you have a extra 28" or 30" barrel, perhaps I can take it off you hands.

Thanks.

bbkid

 

[rexsdu]

well the 26 is good for closer range shots but if u are wanting to reach out a little farther on the higher flying birds i would either go with the 28 or 30. or another option is a choke tube designed for longer shooting. i like my patern master tube it really hits them hard.
Good huntings

 

[stantonrd]

In my opinion, I think long barrels are a thing of the past. Long barrels were initially used on shotguns to burn the powders of yesterday. Modern powders don't require it. I have progressed to a 24" barrel on my fowling gun. I had to buy a so-called "Turkey Model" to get that length. Then, I use chokes to adjust for longer or shorter shot ranges. Granted, you will have some velocity loss in a 30" vs. 24" bbl, but in my opinion, the easy swinging advantages of the short barrel far outweigh the advantages of a longer barrel and I think modern choke tubes sufficiently make up for the advantages of the long barrels.

 

[2blklabs]

I agree with Stantonrd. Barrel length has little if anything to do with keeping your shot tighter at a further distance. It's all in your choke system. Ask any gun dealer or manufacturer. A longer barrel does help in aim and pointing the gun. a shorter barrel takes a little getting used to but it is convenient. Good luck to all duck and goose hunters and "Think Safty" when your out in the field.

 

[qwahonn]

I think 26 - 28 is optimal. 26 is nice for jump shooting but I like the 28 for shooting over the dekes.

 

[zx2dxz]

i have a 28" with a patternmaster on my 10 ..... love nuff said

lata, 2d

 

[Ithacamagten]

Modern powders are burnt in 16 inches of barrel. I have handloaded 10 ga. shells forever. I shoot a 32" MagTen and on very cold days I still get a little unburnt powder in the barrel and receiver. If you want the most out of your gun for extreme shooting stick with a longer barrel. I also shoot an SP10 with 26" and one with a 30" barrel. For lying in a field on my back I prefer the 26". If I know that my shots will be extreme I shoot my 30". People are different and each persons shooting eye is different. The longer barrels give you a longer plan of sight and I think help with proper leads at longer distance. A tuff goose at 65 yards will never know the difference between either barrel.

IthacaMagTen
North Carolina
www.High-Rock.com

 

[Rem870LH]

IthacaMagTen,

You have got a good handle on what to use when shooting your 10 ga. Just because we have modern powder available, that doesn't mean that the powder needs less than 26" of barrel to completely burn. In fact it may need more barrel length depending on the type of powder being used. Anyway a 26" barrel out of a 10ga. is plenty for burning powder compeletly. Over decoys and shoot'n at say under 50 yards it will do just fine for most shooters. When strictly pass shoot'n at long distances (>50yds.) I would opt for the longer barrel, e.i. 28" or even the 30" would be better. The main reason is the heavier barrel has a tendency to swing better due to the forward weight because once in motion it stays in motion. One of the biggest problems that long range shooters have is not follow through. This can make or break a shooter. With that being said the longer barrel wins every time for greater distances. If you decoy hunt-shoot a 12ga. which will be lighter and quicker to mount and shoot. An average 12 ga. weights about 3 lbs. less than a 26" 10 ga. There is no advantage in using a 10 ga. in the decoy blind unless your shoot'n greater than 50 yards. And if you are shoot'n beyond 50 yards in the blind-then you're not decoy hunt'n. Might as well stand along the trees and shoot'em when they come over. Now that's just my personal ethics. So shoot what you like. Just remember waterfowl is a quick game bird and with a little wind it can get out of dodge real quick. If you are lying down and have to heft an 11 lb. gun--good luck! I'll shoot my 12 ga. any day and reserve the 30" 10 ga. for the treeline.

good shoot'n,

VRV