Quote:
Originally Posted by NJ Brazen_3133
Ok then let me ask you, what is the maximum length of smoothbore barrel, can you shoot a regular slug out of? Is this maximum slug barrel, a bare minimum for birdshot/wing shooting with no choke?
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It's not the length of the barrel, but the choke. *Most* slugs are small enough to go through *most* full choke barrels. I have not tried this but I don't think the choke helps accuracy with a slug.
For slugs, generally a cylinder choke is considered best.
A cylinder choke will shoot birdshot but the patterns will get wide quickly (see previous post with illustration) and effectiveness will fall off at a relatively short range.
In general for something like an 870, I would again suggest a cylinder bore barrel with rifle sights for slugs (or a rifled barrel, those exist as well, and do have superior accuracy) probably relatively short at 18 to 20", and a somewhat longer barrel with interchangeable choke tubes for birdshot.
If you really insist on one "do it all" barrel, probably the best you can do is the shortest birdshot barrel you can find, 24, 26" or so, with interchangeable choke tubes, and use a cylinder or improved cylinder choke tube for slugs.
For 870 and similar, though, there are all sorts of factory and aftermarket barrels available and they are not that expensive.