barrel length for bunnies?

[870]

Was wondering what length barrels you all have on your shotguns ?

I just got an ithaca 37r 20 guage manufactured 1940. It currently has an aftermarket poly choke and is 28 inches.

I was thinking maybe i should just leave it but I hate the look of the poly choke and 28 inches seems a tad long i was hopeing to find 26 inch barrel. you can't switch barrels on it though without having it fitted by a smith.

I was thinking of having it cut to 26 and screw chokes installed? I'm thinking a little shorter will help on rabbits since its mostly snap shooting in thick cover but maybe hurt on wingshooting since this is my only shotgun it has to do rabbits and all upland birds too. Also i know the poly might pattern a little better so maybe its worth it being ugly and a tad long ?

[DIXIEDOG]

Was wondering what length barrels you all have on your shotguns ?

I just got an ithaca 37r 20 guage manufactured 1940. It currently has an aftermarket poly choke and is 28 inches.

I was thinking maybe i should just leave it but I hate the look of the poly choke and 28 inches seems a tad long i was hopeing to find 26 inch barrel. you can't switch barrels on it though without having it fitted by a smith.

I was thinking of having it cut to 26 and screw chokes installed? I'm thinking a little shorter will help on rabbits since its mostly snap shooting in thick cover but maybe hurt on wingshooting since this is my only shotgun it has to do rabbits and all upland birds too. Also i know the poly might pattern a little better so maybe its worth it being ugly and a tad long ?

I like the short barrels for rabbit hunting, they are easier to swing around in the brush. I generally use a .410 pistol for rabbit hunting now but when I do bring a rifle it's usually a 18.5" barreled Benelli. If it were my shotgun and I was going to shorten the barrel anyway I would go down to 20" , you won't believe the difference in how it handles in the woods.

[Hippy]

I have been using a S&W 1000 20 gauge with the smooth slug bbl . I find the 20 lighter and the 18 " bbl to be a good to get through the tight spots.
I used a Remington 1000 12 gauge with a 26" skeet bbl before that and I just like tthe 1-1 1/2 lighter 20 gauge. I hunted with a gentleman while I lived in Va and he used a 20 Ga Double nice and lite and carried well.
Jim

[Snow Dog]

I use a Beretta 391 with a 24 inch fact. barrel, shoots great, handles great! The pattern and accuracy of the shorter barrel is determined by the backbore. With some backbore work and choke tubes you will have a rabbit smoker for sure!

[barnold1]

Franchi 620 with 24" barrel; carries easy all day and with IC choke and 5-6 shot gets the job done on rabbits.

[flash]

Don't worry about what the poly-choke looks like . When I was young I hunted with a mossberg 12 ga. 3-shot bolt-action . While the rabbits were running you could adjust the choke to suit the terrain . I killed many ,many, many ,rabbits and squirrels with that gun . I wish I had it back you know how youngsters are gotta have a pump gun . I don't even remember what I traded for but I would love to have it back .