Tennessee williams Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 I'm just wondering what length barrel side by side y'all use. I'm going to do some skb barrel testing this weekend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Sheridan Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 (edited) 20” because that’s what it came with. Barrel length is generally irrelevant in this sport. The exception would be for those physically too small to use a full size gun. Edited October 29, 2021 by Buckshot Sheridan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slow Mo Dern Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 Howdy Tennessee, Go with a short barrel. If it's a stock gun; a long barrel gun will open faster but they're not good if you have to shoot through a lot of windows and doorways. You'll always be bumping that long barrel on stuff and it'll drive you crazy. I hope this helps. Mo 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee williams Posted October 29, 2021 Author Share Posted October 29, 2021 Right now I have 18, 20, and 22" length SKBs. I find the 22 a little heavier but I do need to cut the lop down 1" still. That makes it take just a little longer to get into action than the 18 and 20. The 18 is great for maneuverability especially around those window openings. I plan to run some three location drills with each of them with 2 different shuck styles to see what works good. Any other testing recommendations? I know some say 22" is the magic number on barrel length to help open it, but I don't see a drastic difference to trade off the weight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee williams Posted October 29, 2021 Author Share Posted October 29, 2021 32 minutes ago, Buckshot Sheridan said: 20” because that’s what it came with. Barrel length is generally irrelevant in this sport. The exception would be for those physically too small to use a full size gun. Wasn't thinking shot pattern. Was more thinking of weight/maneuverability, etc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 20 minutes ago, Tennessee williams said: Wasn't thinking shot pattern. Was more thinking of weight/maneuverability, etc Yep. 19-20" 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 20".... Charles Daily is wayyyy light, love it Stoger is a bit heavier, but not near the weight of the 24" hammered we bought first! My Savage 18.5" was great, except it did kick abit. It finally cracked, and so it is a shiney wall hanger! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 22" SKB with about 1/4# of shot in the stock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kajun Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 TW, how good a "barrel welder" are ya, just in case you cut too much off (asking for a friend)? Kajun 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Bill Burt Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 We have three cut to 22. Michael’s is 18.25. I’ve been shooting his quite a bit lately. It seems faster. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc roy l. pain Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 Pinky and I shoot 20”, but I wouldn’t mind going shorter. I think they would clear props better when moving laterally. I prefer to stand back from windows, doors, etc. while shooting, but sometimes depending on where targets are you have to get closer to the props to see your targets. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee williams Posted October 29, 2021 Author Share Posted October 29, 2021 10 minutes ago, doc roy l. pain said: Pinky and I shoot 20”, but I wouldn’t mind going shorter. I think they would clear props better when moving laterally. I prefer to stand back from windows, doors, etc. while shooting, but sometimes depending on where targets are you have to get closer to the props to see your targets. That's true Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patagonia Pete Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 18 inch on the Stoeger (to get rid of the fixed chokes) ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 For SASS matches - 20" on hammered double, unhammered double, Win 97s. 22" on Model 12. good luck, GJ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc roy l. pain Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 I also think some shooters prefer 22” barrels as they feel it makes it easier to open the action and recock the shotgun. I find that a good sxs gunsmith can make an 18” open just as easy as a 22”. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee williams Posted October 29, 2021 Author Share Posted October 29, 2021 33 minutes ago, doc roy l. pain said: I also think some shooters prefer 22” barrels as they feel it makes it easier to open the action and recock the shotgun. I find that a good sxs gunsmith can make an 18” open just as easy as a 22”. I can't really tell a difference in my 18, 20, or 22 in opening but I sure can on maneuverability. I'm going to swap all 3 sets of barrels with one action and see how they do. I've gotten crazy acting on my shuck here lately. You and Randy make me look like I've never shot a SASS match with a shotgun. I intend to try and remedy that. I bought a big stick and I'm gonna have Randy hit me real good with it when I get out of hand. 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patagonia Pete Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 1 minute ago, Tennessee williams said: I'm going to swap all 3 sets of barrels with one action and see how they do. Be careful!! (swap carefully and don't force or allow to bind). Barrel sets (w/ a lug and such) are fitted to their own action (hinge pin and clearance). A loose fit might be OK for comparision but if one was too tight it might compromise it's fit on it's original action. IMHO as always ... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc roy l. pain Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 10 minutes ago, Tennessee williams said: I can't really tell a difference in my 18, 20, or 22 in opening but I sure can on maneuverability. I'm going to swap all 3 sets of barrels with one action and see how they do. I've gotten crazy acting on my shuck here lately. You and Randy make me look like I've never shot a SASS match with a shotgun. I intend to try and remedy that. I bought a big stick and I'm gonna have Randy hit me real good with it when I get out of hand. Hope it will work. We have 3 skb 100’s and none of the barrels and actions are interchangeable with each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee williams Posted October 29, 2021 Author Share Posted October 29, 2021 Just now, doc roy l. pain said: Hope it will work. We have 3 skb 100’s and none of the barrels and actions are interchangeable with each other. I swapped them all to check, but didn't live fire them. Felt ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc roy l. pain Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 7 minutes ago, Tennessee williams said: I swapped them all to check, but didn't live fire them. Felt ok. If they felt ok they will probably work. Mine won’t even close or lock up 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Sheridan Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 3 hours ago, Tennessee williams said: Wasn't thinking shot pattern. Was more thinking of weight/maneuverability, etc Weight difference a couple ounces at most on any given gun, more difference from one gun to the next. as for maneuvering between windows or doors. The difference is less than the length of your foot. We just shoot through windows not in them. I’d dare to bet the majority of our shooters don’t stop at the same place in relation to the window for the barrel to make a difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee williams Posted October 29, 2021 Author Share Posted October 29, 2021 4 hours ago, Buckshot Sheridan said: 20” because that’s what it came with. Barrel length is generally irrelevant in this sport. The exception would be for those physically too small to use a full size gun. IMHO, everything in this sport is relevant when hundredths of a second count. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Graybeard Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 I have a BSS with 20 inch barrels and an SKB with 23 inch barrels. I don't really notice much difference getting around...but if clay birds are involved...I will grab the one with 23 inch barrels 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major E A Sterner #12916 Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 My SKB 280 has the original length barrels on it,I think 26 inch,I have never had a problem swinging from target to target with it or hit any props with the barrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Curly SASS#57086 Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 I use hammered doubles in 28,30 and 32 barrels. Sometimes they have animal cutouts for SG staging and occasionally I need to move it away from a prop to give me room to stage. Have shot for 18 years and never hit a prop yet, just take a step back and no problems. I do shoot an 87 with 18 1/2 barrel that is fun to shoot. Shoot what you like but just have fun. DC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.K. Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 I use a Stevens 235 hammer gun in 12 ga / 18.25" Bbls. An extra 1/4" just to make sure its legal beyond any doubt. Good luck, Pards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom, SASS #54973 Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 22.0736" Optimal Phantom 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arizona Gunfighter Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 6 hours ago, Patagonia Pete said: 18 inch on the Stoeger (to get rid of the fixed chokes) ... I have a Stoeger Supreme model with a 20 inch barrel and I can take my chokes out. I take them out every time I clean the Stoeger, clean each one separately then screw them back in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pee Wee #15785 Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 They must not use sundials to time you! I use Stevens 28"-32" have no problems in windows, out of windows, or in the open. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yohan Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 2 of my SKB's are 22 inch barrels 1 is 18and 3/4 inch I think my other SKB is 21 inch and of course my 97's are all 20 inch barrels 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 20" one came that way the other two i cut to that 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Lead Pepper Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 1 hour ago, Yohan said: 2 of my SKB's are 22 inch barrels 1 is 18and 3/4 inch I think my other SKB is 21 inch and of course my 97's are all 20 inch barrels No wonder I can’t find an SKB… 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waxahachie Kid #17017 L Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 20 inches on my hammered Rossi.... It beats trying to swing the 30 inch barrel on my Winchester 1887. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Snuffy Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 30" or longer if you can find it. Go for the style points!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 19 hours ago, Tennessee williams said: I'm just wondering what length barrel side by side y'all use. I'm going to do some skb barrel testing this weekend. I like 22” barrels on my SKB but I think, for our monthly matches, you’d be better with 30” Now when you go to annual matches you might want to shoot something considerably shorter. Randy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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