the longer the better?

[@spency787]

Short barrels are definitely better for getting through the door of a mark II Jag and a Post Office

[@grahampawson1502]

🤣😂👏👏

[@staceyrollings930]

I’ve got a 26” Pre Browning, Miroku 6000, with fixed skeet chokes, and shoot everything with it, from walked up game through to sporting clays, with only steel shot.

[@boonyj]

Barrel length falls in two discussions fashion (which I don't give a toss about) and handling/usability. Longer barrels swing steadier but are heavy. Short barrels are lighter and whippy to swing. Choose the right barrel length the right day. Sporting clays 30-32....skeet or woodcock's in a wood 25-26. That's my two pence worth

[@therealjamesmartin]

Love the Boswell! I've got a 1904 Boswell pigeon gun that I've put about 6000 shells through this year. 28" barrels and heavier than most old sxs, and fitted with teague chokes it's well suited for clays. I find anything close and quick, or whenever it is windy I perform comparatively well compared to others. My friends 687 EELL 30" is noticeably more stable on slower more distant targets though.

[@TonyWalker.]

I’ve had big o/us and gone back to what I started with when very young, a 26” s/s I’m willing to bet you smiled every time you hit a pair rather than feeling disappointed when you miss a pair with an o/u. It all depends whether you want to win competitions or do a bit of rough shooting etc.

[@matthewdeepblue]

4:36 JC having a small stroke

[@Some_kind_of_Steve]

Have an AYA XXV that I'll be using on a few walked up days this season for the exact reasons you listed. Light, fast and instinctive. At the clay ground it's hilarious fun. After shooting a 9lb 32" sporter it takes a bit of slowing down. I'd liken it to putting an R1 engine in a mini. All the power in a really lightweight chassis. It takes a bit of time to get comfortable with to shoot proficiently but is so much FUN. And isn't that what it's all about? Each barrel length has its place I think. Don't think we'll go much past 34" unless ballistically it's proven to be better for modern ammo and steel. Hunting will probably stay at 28/30 with 32s for big birds. Sporting clays will be the test bed for some different or more outrageous ideas, it'll take time to get into the more conservative avenues of the sport.

[@MarkRobson-fq8pp]

I shoot sxs only. The Good Lord put your eyes side by each not one above the other. I have shot barrels up to 32". As I age I do find the shorter barrels can increase my reaction times a bit and regain the older timing. The Churchill rib itself does seem to help. While I have no memory of looking at the rib on the targets I break, I think it helps be more precise. Gough Thomas had some interesting thoughts on the XXV. A 6 1/4 lb properly balanced and stocked XXV is a lovely thing that a 10 lb 34" o/u will never be in my mind or what I shoot. I do shoot targets with 3/4 oz reloads.

[@stevenlord782]

The good lord put your eyes on side by side 😂😂 I've never thought about it like that and that makes perfect sense to me 👌

[@matthewdeepblue]

Idk... This is My thoughts on your thoughts. Churchill was coming from something more closely related to parts of America today. Not that he wasn't there economist obviously. Shooting was bird focused, not clay pigeon focused. All shooting passed through the filter of game shooting for him. As it does with me. As it does. With many in parts of the American South, Appalachia, Ozarks, American grasslands. Part of the UK, today. Those clay pigeons, dictate more, than any fowl. So the filter is the clays, not the birds. Close and low, are frequently the most common upland birds. Mid and pretty are frequently the most common clays.

[@garykleinsteuber4529]

Like every sport they keep changing what is "best" to get you to buy more equipment.

[@tadsmith477]

Hi Jon... That gun or type would be welcomed in the US as a "bird" gun. In parallel with Churchill, it was fashionable many years ago to customize double guns (i.e., LC Smith, Lefever, Parker) to 25-26 inches for quarry flushed over dogs. That barrel length choice generally ensured the choke had been totally removed as to improve patterns at close range. Screw-in chokes and sub-gauge have replaced the need to continue this practice but these guns to me are quite nostalgic.

[@jameswalbridge6081]

Spent 90% of my shooting life using a short barrelled Churchill style gun. Shot it pretty well until the more recent 10% i switched to a 32" inch miroku and that has increased my scores dramatically. Way less reliant on an instinctive shot and way more consistent.

[@Willenium2k4]

Barrel length is quite subjective. Some will prefer the feel of a shorter gun, and some will get on better with a longer barrel. My SxS is 28" and doesn't seem ridiculously short. In contrast I had a 28" O/U which I felt like I was picking my nose with, even with extended chokes. Have since changed to a 30" and it feels the perfect length.

[@paulbryant5162]

I think the inevitable switch to steel and the research in to getting the best performance from it will determine future lengths, it may turn out that 26" is the perfect length once again, although I'm fairly convinced most of the long barrel guys are just compensating 😂

[@nissenalf]

It’s certainly not the ideal clay buster, but it’s the perfect choice for woodcocks in the brush.

[@Blondejam]

Nice vid and good to see the development of barrel lengths. A good sawn off should be roughly an inch past the forend and drop the stock rounding off the pistol grip and apply some double back ticky-tack tape for extra grip...

[@christophermoltisant]

Love your channel! I bought a Beretta 1301 comp w/ 21 inch barrel; put on a beautiful A400 walnut sporting stock, and won a doubles Skeet event. IC choke was smoking birds.

[@grahamsimpkins1540]

I pick up a AYA 28” and it’s cracking tool on game days and clays Great little video guy 👍

[@funkla65]

That increased length increases the gun's polar moment of inertia, which helps plaster over some shooter mistakes. On the other hand, if you're trying to minimize barrel awareness, you're likely undermining that by putting the end of your barrel closer to the same focal distance as the target..

[@AdamPerkinsPhD]

I have a Webley & Scott 700 with 26 inch barrels and even using light clay cartridges such as 21g CompX it shoots effectively at long range, for example I am generally a mediocre shot at clays but when I was visiting WKSS regularly I used it to hit 9 clays in a row off the top of the high tower, at a distance of about 50yds. I have not beaten that record with any of my longer barrel shotguns. But the caveat is that if I am out of practice then I struggle to get hits on long range targets so I guess the correct answer is that shooter technique has a way bigger impact on clay pigeon scores than barrel length, so we need to spend more on training than on buying shotguns.

[@ericc3327]

For me sporting is a way to stay sharp for hunting season. I use a 28” semi for waterfowl (called into blinds), and a 25” Churchill side lock or a 26” beretta for other game birds. Occasionally a 22” combination gun if I want a more mixed bag approach. Is a longer barrel better for sporting? Yes, for me it is. But my style of hunting is mostly short instinctive shots since I am without dog. I’m kicking the birds up myself. And sporting, while fun, is mostly to serve my greater purpose so longer barrels are strictly out. Plus hiking up and down mountains carrying a 32” barrel sounds miserable.

[@shadowdancer5x5]

1. Which length is best? - Whichever works for you and your style, and your comfortable shooting with. 2. Are barrels going to keep getting longer. Absolutely. Until we have a 40yd barrel and are shooting clays point blank.

[@danhubert-hx4ss]

Had a Churchill clone: AYA Sherwood, Churchill rib, 25 inch barrels. Worked a treat...

[@matthewdeepblue]

@danhubert-hx4ss thank you for telling me about this. This is absolutely fascinating. I didn't know there were any clones.

[@kevinatwell9781]

I remember reading and enjoying Churchills book over 30 years ago! As you said, context is everything- as others in the chat have said, his focus was game shooting. He preferred the shorter barrels combined with the 12 bore s x s but longer barrels for 20 gauge to compensate for the narrower sighting plane. He also narrated the history and evolution of game shooting and I highly recommend this read. However clay target shooting is still evolving and improving and is the more prominent use of shotgun shooting than it was in the 50’s when his book was published. Great video thanks!

[@hughwilton5932]

I have a Denton and Kennell sxs with 26" barrels and a 14" stock. Affectionately know as the Post Office gun. Shot my first bird it it with my father-in-law. It is a fantastic gun for working the hedge rows. I have to confess to also having a silver pigeon s for clays and big days out shooting. But I will never get rid of the Denton.

[@yojimbo9]

i prefer a shorter barrel due to the type of hunting i do, forested areas with a lot of brush never leads to far shots anyway. and its less barrel that kan hit things

[@chrisschilling8729]

Best thing about short barrels is they are easy and cheap to buy used. I love my 28 and 30 inch guns.

[@markbecht1420]

I have shot casual clays with a 22" trench gun just to see if I could. Magazine tube and bayonet mount certainly add swing to it.

[@William-w2x]

I know exactly what you mean. A good 50 yard bird with short barrels feels 'disconnected' for lack of a better word.

[@johnh8197]

Here in America, the 28” barrel shotguns are King. It’s very hard to find a 30, 32 and extremely difficult to find a 34.

[@rodolpheroger8258]

So interesting as usual ! I own 2 Browning Citori Uplander from 1990, 20 ga & 16 ga, 24 inches barrels interchangeable chokes. As they are named After for Upland games pointed or flushed, but have a Great Time training for the Season on Skeet and Sporting Clays ! Good in the Woods and the Marshlands ! Happy Hollydays Season to all and thanks for sharing Monsieur Johnny !

[@johnsoncozier2152]

Short barrels are very convenient for thick brush

[@robintaylor9714]

I have a rare Spanish copy of Churchill's Imperial 25" with lovely engraving, a Parker Hale import (Ugartchuea- sxs- 28") & a Browning 325 game 28". But I seem to shoot best with Parker Hale

[@MichaelIrons-d5v]

loved the vid mt, i love shorter barrel guns much easer to handle, and not as heavy, loved the vid m.

[@MichaelIrons-d5v]

thanks.

[@stevenbaker2363]

My old boss shot a pair of 25" Churchills 28g paper cased 3three crowns 7s for most things and on high birds went for 30g 6s in 3 crowns and kept up with most of them

[@jameseray1979]

I use a 28 for skeet and hunting. And a 32 for sporting clays. Seems to work.good for me. But I haven't tried a 30 yet.

[@dave_724]

Barrel weight is as relevant as length I like set of barrels to weigh around 1500 grams in a Over and under but I’ve no idea of my personal preference in a side by side I use to shoot incredibly well with a old AYA No4 with 27 1/2 inch barrels which is pretty much the norm for an old gun I’d love to try a gun with 25 or 26 inch barrels on a side by side for comparison. Shooting a side by side is almost like shooting an extension of your self when your at one with the gun they are the perfect gun for snap shooting.

[@perrypappous1550]

Jonny, great shooting with the Boswell XXV! There is no best all around gun, and for quick instinctive shots within 25-30 yards, this shotgun is great, particularly on game. I believe that the shooter’s height and build are relevant, though. A Mike Tyson or Arnold Schwarzenegger type would overpower such a light and easily-maneuverable shotgun.

[@jameshardy4666]

Jonny I have an MK38 that somebody cut the barrels down on to 25 inch-funny story. I’ve DM’d you-you’re welcome to borrow it for a giggle.

[@jamesl949]

I wonder if fashion is driving length, "mines bigger than yours." At the end of the day the shooters skills are more important than the gun.

[@z06cowboy72]

"Best" does not exist.

[@biocrystals7550]

Size matters

[@NotStockPhoto]

Another Banger……. Literally

[@Dr.Z73]

That's what she said.

[@johnnorth7434]

Think it's great idea. Video of you and Simon on a registered shoot. If you get a chance. Would love to see you both discussing that. I often see Simon at the AGL sxs comp. What a gent. Look forward to shaking your hand one day. I shoot sxs on registered. I know the gun can do a great job. I'm the inconsistency. Love shooting my ou. But for some reason drawn to my 50's William Powell. Anyway. Love the work you and the team do. Well done 👍

[@dgoodman1484]

One thing that I’ll disagree with is that the average guy is stronger today than a hundred years ago. Bigger for sure but a hundred years ago a lot of men were still swinging axes and sledgehammers all day. But I understand what you were trying to say 👍🏼

[@ThatGuy-kf7fo]

I somewhat relunctantly went to a 30” barrel years ago. I refuse to go further. 😅

[@jamesjohnson7905]

Looks like a toy in your mitts jc . It looks so short if your not careful on a high overhead driven you could shoot the peek off your cap

[@College247]

You wonder, you wonder, you wonder. You answered all in my mind really, 26” designed and built for shooting live quarry before clay targets were invented let alone a clay ground. You then wonder about 28” becoming popular, helped with the over and under design for clay shooting and driven game shooting also becoming more prevalent. We now live in the world of 32” with clay targets regularly at 40 yds and the desire of so many game shooters wanting high birds. They are all just tools that have been designed for their day, personally I’ll stick to my 28” Webley & Scott and enjoy consistently hitting 30 yd birds and killing them out right with 28gm loads………as I say it’s my choice and life is all about choices

[@burms100]

32” for me. If browning made them longer I would have them

[@markbutters5829]

Fowling pieces of the same area had longer barrels designed for longer shots. Horses for courses.

[@davidoliver7977]

I have 4 SxS shotguns 3 at 28 and 1 at 26 inch barrel all do the same job no matter what I am shooting at which is mainly game. Also have a redundant over under also 28 inch bought for clays and it breaks them ok. I get for the serious clay shooter weight combined with extra barrel length matters if thats what it takes to keep a steady consistent approach to known target direction, which clays mostly are. You can mostly start with the gun in the shoulder on clays. Try that on a driven game shoot and your arms will wish your mum had never met your father waiting for that bird to come…….. horses for courses.

[@CowboyChefNewton]

Is that what she said, it’s still subjective either way?!?!

[@mchughcb]

Once again what's good for sport isn't the same as hunting.

[@ashleywebster2659]

Jonny tackles the big questions. This week: Does size matter? Next weeks video will involve a chicken, and an egg - or maybe a pizza and pineapple... 😁

[@tgsoutdoors]

A pizza and a pineapple…. What on earth could those two things have in common

[@jackmeyers7805]

Appearance will always be secondary to performance.

[@YorkshireClayShooting]

Doesn’t look too short to me 🤔 😝 😜

[@edwardsabo8368]

Johnny isn’t more of get in front of your target and keep the gun moving regardless of the barrel length? Doesn’t proper gun fit play into this as well?

[@masongunn1884]

Long or short They have their place depending on what you’re shooting Personally a 28-32 inch barrel in the average person doesn’t make a difference. If the gun feels good to you, you’ll do well. I’ve shot 25 to 34 inch barrels and I’ve settled on a 30” because it’s a best of both

[@louisroussos2389]

Taking in consideration of your hits in the video I vote yes 25 26" is the best barrel length. I own 26" browning 425 game light. No matter distance of game😊

[@seemoore]

I've shot aya 25 (Churchill) for years but shoot better with over under 32inch and even better but not that good😅with an auto Franchi (chee not franky) affinity..

[@ShotawayFilms]

Think you have been watching too many old westerns...🙃😉

[@andrewhirsch6472]

Certainly, the shorter-barreled and lighter guns are more suitable for hunting forest grouse in the rugged terrain of the American Northwest. However, for shooting clays, especially trap, I've always scored higher with a 34" barrel for singles and a 32" over/under for doubles. Such are the results of decades of experience and tens of thousands of rounds of experimentation by a 61-year-old Yank (to wit, myself). That said, many others, especially smaller people, score better with the shorter barrels, and so I hope those 26" guns continue to be on the market at reasonable prices.

[@Tankerdot]

Size doesn't matter... 😢

[@shaunharris3690]

👍🏻

[@Jciatt1997]

My Hastings 30” wadlock rifled barrel on my 870 does it all

[@TarquinPonsonby-Smyrhe-l6h]

Watched JC for years, the new voice, enunciation and dramatic way of speaking he’s just found is annoying beyond belief. Turned off after 2 minutes. Shame.