As water fowl season is fast approaching I had to buy a duck gun as I don't want to drag my skeet & upland guns thru the marsh. Last year I used a pump (my first & last) but was not happy as I was not able to work the pump fast enough to get the second shot as I was used to double barrels. I purchased a browning silver stalker semi-auto with 26 inch barrel, 3 1/2 inch chamber and in Camo.
I had a few decisions to make -
1. Camo or black synthetic.
2. 26 inch or 28 inch barrel.
My analysis/thinking ....(could be wrong)
- Barrel length makes no difference to velocity of the shots as all the powder is burnt with in the first 18-20 inches, hence the ability to take long distance shot is not effected. It was different during the black powder and slow burning powder days as it needed atleast 30-34 inch barrel before all the powder is burnt.
- No difference to pattern as chokes are the deciding factor.
- Longer barrel provides a longer sighting plane and will help in pass shots. My thinking is when talking about sighting plane it is not just the barrel but the whole gun (mainly receiver + barrel) that we look along when we aim. The receiver/action of a semi auto/pump is atleast 4 inches longer than a break open o/u or sxs which means that the sighting plane of a 26 inch semi auto is equal than a 30 in o/u or SxS. The total length of the silver with a 26 inch barrel is 47 inches where as most o/u & sxs with a 28 inch barrel are only 45 inches.
- Longer barrel means heavier guns all other things being same, this help to keep the swing going in pass shots because of the momentum. The 3 1/2 chamber silver with 26 inch barrel is nearly equal in weight to a 30 inch double because of the longer receiver.
- The total length of the silver with 28 inch barrel is 49 inches which I think is a little too long when compared to my other shotguns with 28 inch barrel which are around 45 inches.
- With todays fast burning powder a very long barrel may actually decrease velocity because once all the powder is burned the tight wad in modern shotshells will cause friction in the barrel till it is out of the barrel and slow the shots as there is no more powder burning to maintain or increase velocity.
- Advantage of Camo for hunting is debatable (except for turkey) but it sure is an added protection against rust specially as my gun has always become wet in past during duck hunting. I would have purchased a black synthetic but the dealer only had the camo gun and I would have to wait atleast 6 months if I put in an order now. Advantage of camo may be debatable but I am sure it is not going to be a disadvantage other than the extra $200 cost.
I have already purchased my gun but any thoughts will help any one planning to buy a shotgun in the near future.
With my skeet & upland gun. The overall length of the stalker is longer than the others in spite of a 2 inch shorter barrel.
Herb
