Your opinion please, shot gun barrel length and choke

[SAILORGOLF46]

For a 20 ga fixed choke barrel used for small game hunting in central Indiana best all around length and choke?
1- 26" imp cyl
2- 28" mod
3" 28" full
Your thoughts please, Thanks.

 

[senork]

I am sure there are a variety of opinions regarding your question.
If this were the only shotgun that I would had available for hunting small game, I would go with 28" modified choke. My two cents.

 

[Chance]

Rabbits, squirrels and quail IC gives you better pattern for shooting out to 15 yards. Modified extends range but makes close up shots trickier and possibly damages game. What are you shooting and how far?

 

[Expat]

I agree with senork, if I could only have one and those were my choices, I would go with #2. I started out on a 30" full in my 20g WIngmaster and got by with it for a long time. But a modified will give you a little more margin for error.

 

[SAILORGOLF46]

I was ask for a little more info. I would not be shooting waterfowl or Turkeys. Distance would depend on type of game and when they presented the shot. Most like;y Pheasants and back yard clays being the farthest shots. Thanks.

 

[4651feeder]

One more opinion, if used in dense thickets I would go with the order that you presented the choices in.

 

[Expat]

IC is fine if you are a quick shot on rabbits or pheasants. I would hate to try to shoot a squirrel at the top of a big hickory with an IC though.

 

[Chance]

You can increase the shot size or use buffered loads to increase performance at a little longer ranges.

 

[johntheplinker]

None of the above. I'd go with 22" with screw in chokes. You don't need the extra barrel length for velocity, it carries better, doesn't get caught on brush as much, and the chokes give more versatility.

 

[seldon14]

None of the above. I'd go with 22" with screw in chokes. You don't need the extra barrel length for velocity, it carries better, doesn't get caught on brush as much, and the chokes give more versatility.

This is pretty much exactly what I was going to post.

 

[warren5421]

I use a 28"-30" SxS, IC/MOD does all I need. I have started looking at shooting ball so will get something with screw in chokes-a 870 or Mossberg 935. You can shoot a very tight pattern to using a rifled choke for slugs.