What is the shortest practical barrel length for a 20ga 3"?

[IvW]

I have no experience with 20ga 3". This will be for a combination gun thinking 20ga 3"/22 Hornet. The shotgun barrel will be used for small forest duikers and for occasional bird hunting such as rock pigeon, green pigeon, francolin, spurfowl and sandgrouse. As well as the occasional slug.
It comes in standard 24" length.
Is it worth getting chokes for it?

 

[shootist~]

Absolutely worth getting two or three chokes, IMO. Make the pattern size And density fit your needs - just like a 12 Ga. Longer barrels are nice because they swing smoother, but 24" should work well.

It was a long time ago, but NRA or someone published an article showing velocity loss as they cut down a shotgun barrel 1" at a time. Average loss of velocity per inch was considerably less than expected.

Edit to add: The best pheasant hunt I ever had was using a 26" 20 Ga O/U with premium 3" #5s. Choked IC and Modified, IIRC

 

[IvW]

I am more concerned with pattern loss rather than velocity.
Chokes I was thinking cyl, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, full.

 

[shootist~]

IMO, Cylinder is a waste simply because it's useless past about 15 yards. Even Skeet gets you out to 20 meters (with small shot).

IC, Lite Modified, and Improved Modified would be my choices. Then pattern to see what works and more importantly - if it shoots where you look.

 

[Rubberhead]

Short is fine if you and the folks around you are wearing hearing protection. Yes on chokes even if it's just the standard IC, M and F.

 

[Nevada Mike]

As long as the gun fits and handles well, barrel length is a non-issue. Get the chokes if you can given the range of applications you mentioned.

 

[Brian]

IMO, Cylinder is a waste simply because it's useless past about 15 yards. Even Skeet gets you out to 20 meters (with small shot).

IC, Lite Modified, and Improved Modified would be my choices. Then pattern to see what works and more importantly - if it shoots where you look.

The more open the choke, the shorter the shot column is and the less deformation of shot. Hence more shot on a cross flying bird. ( Soft shot and tight chokes give a longer shot string putting less shot on a cross flying bird.)

 

[shootist~]

Open chokes (aka Cyl), especially with soft shot, also result in a shot pattern that's holy enough to need prayers to be effective - if even moderate distance or small targets matter. So important to use the pattern board, so you aren't guessing - or working the outer edges of the pattern.

When in doubt, I.C. or Lite Modified is generally a good aĺl around choice for lead shot. And magnum shot is always worth it, IMO.

 

[BeeMaa]

I’ve used 24” barrels on a 12 bore a few times. I much preferred a 28” or even 30” for everything from hunting to clays.

That said, I haven’t used anything shorter than 26” in a 20 bore. It worked well, but lacked the smoothness that a longer barrel would give. You will need to be well practiced for this, it’s not going to swing like any other shotgun with a 22HORNET barrel attached to it.

Shortest barrel will most likely be limited by the shotgun, not the 22H. I think the minimum barrel length for a 22H is 18-20". If it were me, I'd go for 24" barrels and call it good.

For chokes, yes. Match the load and choke to the game you are hunting. For slugs, use cylinder or 1/4 (also called Improved Cylinder). Always pattern your choke/load combination and take some pictures for reference.

 

[Finprof]

The Savage 220 has a 22 inch barrel in the slug version and the turkey version. It is a 20 gauge 3 inch. Neither are for shooting at flying game but the turkey version patterns very well if you like tight patterns.

 

[AZDAVE]

Used a remington 20in barreled coach style gun years ago that had replaceable chokes, (Used full choke in both barrels) on turkey and a 1 1/4 oz of #5's. took a turkey at 35 yards clean. It was very easy to carry (we were hunt in very thick woods) and performed acceptable. Would still perfer 26-30 in barrels. As a lad Had a Ithaca M66 single shot that my parents gave me and shot dove, ducks, geese with it for many years it has 28in barrel.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

A lot of "upland shotguns", such as the Browning Citori, come with 24" barrels. The wife has a Citori Upland in 20 bore, and I don't think she has ever used anything but skeet and IC chokes. I also use skeet or IC most of the time. Screw in chokes are handy but the only shotgunners I know that change chokes often are serious sporting clays shooters.

Safe shooting

 

[Safari Dave]

I usually like 26"-28" o/u shotguns for best swing and follow-through.




If I were getting a combination gun and wanted a .22 Hornet/20 gauge, I would go with just go with the 24" and get F, M and IC choke tubes.



The F would be best for buckshot on small "big-game" or if I were concerned about an angry leopard in the vicinity, also when making head shots on guineas when not flying, monkeys high in trees, small cats, etc. Also when used with #2 or BB Tungsten shot, if needed, in an emergency for big game.

The M would be in most of the time, for an all-purpose choke on most flying birds and other animals of opportunity - probably with #6 - #7 1/2" shot.

The IC would be used for close range bird hunting - maybe francolin, doves, etc. (#7 1/2 - #8 shot)
I would also use the IC to see how the gun shoots with 20 gauge rifled slugs. Just in case you find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation and need a "double rifle".