barrel length for flint turkey gun

[old george]

Alright turkey gunners; What length of barrel on your turkey gun?  I'd like a jugged barrel but wonder how short I could go and still keep velocity up?
Thanks

geo

[Dan'l 1946]

   George,
         I have a 10 bore fowler with a 48" unchoked barrel and it is just fine for turkeys. The long barrel patterns beautifully and the fowler weighs a little under eight pounds. Unless weight is an issue, the long barrel is an asset. And the balance is amazing. Oh, and I'm old too.
                                                               Dan

[tiswell]

I have a Colerain 20 gauge fowler barrel with the turkey choke. The pattern this thing throws at 40 yards with 2 oz of #6 shot and 100 grains of powder is impressive. Mine is a 42" but the gentlemen that built mine built a 38" for a guy and it shoots just as well.

[Joe S]

What length of barrel on your turkey gun? 

50"

I....wonder how short I could go and still keep velocity up?

30" would do just fine. You could go somewhat shorter if you wanted to.

[okawbow]

I’ve taken 9 turkeys in the past few years with my 12 gauge flintlock with a 30” barrel. Does a great job out to 35 yards or even a little more.

[old george]

Thanks everyone; I was thinking 28-32 for use in a blind.

Geo

[Joe S]

A 50" barrel works fine in a blind - it only sticks out two or three feet.....

The main advantage of my barrel is of course that I start out a full yard closer to the turkey than everyone else.

[wattlebuster]

I have a Colerain oct to round 12 ga that is 32 inch that has been jug choked by Danny Caywood. Joe Schell made it into a nice smooth rifle thats really very handy in the thickets here at home. Handles an balances very well an has taken its share of longbeards

[old george]

Wattlebuster; That's my idea of a hunting rifle.

geo

[Daryl]

31" 20 bore.

[Matt / PA]

Mine is a 38" Colerain 20ga turkey choke.  Amazingly good barrel for a dedicated turkey gun. The overall gun IMO is perfectly balanced for turkey hunting. Handles nicer than a modern pump shotgun. Light and points great.....38" is no problem in a blind or the woods.
Knocked down another couple again this season here in PA.

[old george]

Matt; love the smiles Thanks for the imfo.

geo

[Osprey]

Geez, I'm gonna have to make a trip up to PA, it's been dismal here in my area of Maryland.   Everybody around here is ready to call this year Silent Spring.   

My turkey gun is a 44" colerain turkey choke.  Can't say about turkeys as so far it seems to be a jinx in it's first year, but I can tell you it'll drop a red fox like a sack of hammers at 32 yards.   

[old george]

  poor fox. Thanx for the reply osprey

geo