doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 26" barrels revisited

Hi, I aso agree with most of the above statements. At one time, 26" was "the" length for upland game. The choke combos with this bbl length were almost always IC/Mod, the perfect combo. Personally, which ever bbl length you feel is the best or have the most confidence in, is the one to go for. I remember the old days when repeaters had lengths/chokes of of 26", IC, 28", Mod or sometimes Full and 30" had Full chokes. And of course as you all know 30" Full was "the" duck gun.

Times may have changed, but who says that one "has" to use a 29" or 30" bbl? I know I've posted about guns with 26" bbls and the cry went out "You can't shoot those short bbls" Why? I'm not tall and I never could shoot 29" or 30" bbls worth crap, still can't. I like my bbls 26" to 28" But yet, I'm "told" I must shoot longer bbls even if I can't shoot them well. I guess I missed the bus or something.

The good side to all this, is guns with short bbls not longer in vouge are cheaper, no one wants to buy them. Some folks are missing out on some nice guns at good prices.

Bottom line for me is, if you can shoot them, why not and to heck with all the experts. Just like going to the gun club, your shooting rounds of 23 or 24, maybe even 25. Yet the club experts are there telling you your not standing right etc and offering free "advise".

Will short bbls make a come back? I doubt it, but hey that's good for us who do like them.

All the best!

Greg

Yeah, when I was buying 12g guns, I always looked for 26" guns. Hard to find vintage American doubles in light configurations with short barrels.

26 inch barrels on side by sides are my favorite for quail and woodcock.longer for dove and pass shooting. Bobby

In late 1968 I bought my first Lefever, an FE 12ga with 30" Damascus bbls. Even though deep in my heart I was already aware of it, there was so much "Expert Advise" against there use I was not yet fully comfortable with shooting Damascus. A firm in Florida at the time was offering a service of having bbls built in Italy so after thinking it over a while I shipped them mine with instructions for a 26" I/C-Mod combo. I had hoped this would also lighten it a bit. In due time it returned, but they had actually matched the wt of the 26" bbls to that of the 30" set so it still weighs 7�lbs with either set installed. It thus has a set of thick walled 26" Boehler Steel bbls on it virtually all the time. Chokes came in a little tight @ .012"/.024" R/L respectfully.

From 1970 until the present it has been my main go-to gun with the exception of times I carried a 12ga J P Clabrough 28" Damascus mentioned on another thread. During these past 40yrs it has accounted for a good number of quail, some woodcock, doves, ducks & a couple of turkeys. It has also bagged a pile of cottontail rabbits & a few squirrells, though I mostly hunted them with a .22RF.
Now in my not so humble opinion I really don't think adding to its bbl length would have added a thing to its effectiveness. But what do I know, I just shoot the old thing. If I could do it over though I would have them made 28" instead of the 26". At 5' 8�" I am not very tall & quite well fitted with a 14" length of pull. Personally I just feel a gun having bbls about equal to twice its LOP is aesthtically pleasing. As is, it looks just a little stubby, but shoots like a House Afire.

I'm no expert, but wouldn't the purpose of a shorter barreled double be for hunting in the bush? My 16 GA Fox has 26" barrels and its lovely to bring up on a flushing grouse and handles the tight quarters quite nicely. I thought that a longer barrel helps more tracking a target such as a pheasant crossing a field, so if you're hunting in an open area, a longer barrel would be more appropriate. Are there other reasons for barrel configuration?

The best crossing shot I ever made was on a pheasant 35-40 yds out with the afterburner kicked in; 26" barrels 12 ga..
I shoot them just as well as 28 or 30. The only 30" I hunt with is my 1902 Elsie. Back then it was "Why son, you gotta have them 30"ers to hit hard."
I just make sure the balance is on the pin or a little in front, no matter the length.

I shoot a 1915 L.C. Smith 20ga. with 26" barrels my grandfather bought new in 1915. I inherited it in the sixties and have been shooting it ever since. I bought a few others all 26'' but always shoot the LC. I love the short barrels. It is what i am use to. As long as it patterns the way i need at about 40 yrds. then barrel and chokes don't matter to me.
Thanks

Toss in my vote for 26" barrels. No other reasons than by choice, feel and personal results. Randy

Hell, I hunted with 16" barrrels until they threw me in prison.

Amarillo Mike. I agree totally with your post. Shoot what you like and shoot well with. A lot is just fashion, which is cyclical. Long barrels are better for consistent shooting at driven or distant birds regularly but short guns are quicker in cover and have their advantages too. Practice with either will bring familiarity and competence. And you will definitely find some bargains!