Does a Short Barrel Hamper a Turkey Gun’s Performance?

by
posted on March 26, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bs_2015_fs.jpg (3)

With turkey season approaching, turkey-specific shotguns are hot on the market. In most cases, “turkey specific” implies the gun has a camo finish, full or extra-full choke and a short barrel.

Without question the short barrel improves the shotgun’s mobility in the woods, but is it a detriment to the load’s velocity, and therefore energy?

The Question
Does a short barrel reduce a shotgun’s turkey-killin’ power?

The Research
Experts at Remington Arms report the following: Unlike rifle cartridges that utilize slow-burning powders, shotgun shell's powders completely burn in the first 13 to 16 inches of a barrel. Therefore, shotshell loads reach their maximum velocity at around 20 inches of barrel length.

However, firearm expert and NRA publications’ frequent contributor Bryce Towsley is not so fast to completely agree with that assessment. He believes velocity relative to barrel length varies among shells that use various types of powers, amounts of powder and even shell length. He believes that longer barrels will result in slightly higher velocities in 3- and 3.5-inch magnum loads. But he is talking from a purely mathematical perspective, not from a practical standpoint.

The Real World Test
Last year I shot a turkey at 51 paces with a Federal Premium 3-inch No. 6 shell fired out of a UTS-15 shotgun that has an 18.5-inch barrel. The big gobbler succumbed instantly to a head shot. If there was a slight decrease in velocity, the gobbler didn’t notice it.

The Answer
While a shotshell fired from a barrel of more than 16 but less than 20 inches will exhibit a slight reduction in velocity and energy, it will retain enough energy to kill a turkey at 50 yards or less. (Ranges longer than that get dicey for any shotgun.) Less than 16 inches and it will have less turkey killin’ power, but it’s illegal as well. (Shotgun barrels must be at least 18-inches.) So, for all practical purposes, don’t worry about barrel length when considering a new shotgun for turkey hunting. Simply call a bird in as close as possible, put a bead on its beak and pull the trigger.

Latest

Lead Photo 02
Lead Photo 02

Head to Head: 7x57mm Mauser vs. .30-06 Springfield

I’ve had more than a few requests for this Head to Head, so I figured it was high time to pit two of the early 20th century’s most popular military cartridges against one another. Let's dive into the 7x57mm Mauser vs. the .30-06 Springfield.

NRA Hunter Education FREE Online Course Now Available in Louisiana

The National Rifle Association of America’s award-winning free Hunter Education online course is now available in the State of Louisiana, the latest addition as NRA works to make the course available to hunters in all 50 states.

Moultrie Updates Line of Game Feeders

Moultrie has expanded the capacity of its line of feeders, and bettered the cameras' integration with the company's connected technology to streamline the feeding process.

Building the Ultimate Elk Bow

Elk are remarkable creatures that dwell in some of the most hellish landscapes on earth. An elk bow needs to be tough, light, and ultra-accurate. Here's how to build the right one for you.

First Look: Spandau S2 20-Gauge

Spandau Arms, a brand of SDS Arms, has announced that the  Spandau S2 Shotgun is now available in a 20-gauge model in both a Mossy Oak Bottomland and a traditional wood finish.

Count Some Quail, Tally Some Turkeys

The Arkansas turkey season ended in May, but there’s still good reason for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to keep the birds in mind when they head out to their favorite hiking trail or drive the backroads of The Natural State. Outdoorsmen who scare up coveys of quail are welcome in the survey as well.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.