Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters fps loss?

I have rifles pretty much figured out but approximately how much in muzzle fps loss will I get if I cut 6" off my 20ga 26" turkey barrel? Shooting 3" Federal #7 Heavy's.

Thanks
Jim

From what I've read, shotguns don't produce much additional MV with barrels longer than about 20" or so.

Somewhere in the back recesses of my mind (vast wilderness) I vaguely remember reading something like that. Any idea where that information came from?

Somewhere way back in the recesses of my mind, I remember Carmichael writing an article for Outdoor life, where he took a 12 gauge 36 inch barreled Marlin Goose gun and chopped the barrel off an inch at a time and measured velocity loss down to about 24 inches I believe. He felt that the fps loss was considerable but in all honesty, I wasn't even interested enough back then to want to remember what the velocity loss was.

Rug -

Mr D is correct based on my own chronographing 30" 12 ga blls. and 22" 12 ga blls.

I have my records 'somewhere' but I can answer in general.

I graphed the same ammo in 2 -30" blls and 1 -22", because I only had 1 -22". 1 of the 30" was 3" mag chambered, the other was only 2 3/4".

I used 3" shells in 1 - 30" bll and the 22". There was no 'noticeable' diff in velocity.

I also used 2 3/4" shells in both 30 & 22" blls and there was no noticeable difference. EXCEPT

I had some Federal 2 3/4" MAGNUM shells and they lost a fair amount of speed but not enuff to be anemic. If you need that particular info I'd try to find the record for you.

I used 3" ammo for ducks and also 3" buckshot.
I used 2 3/4" ammo for small game.

From my graphing 30" and 22" blls the only noticeable diff occurred with the 2 3/4" mag ammo.

Actually -- the 22" bll gave a little more velocity with the 3" mag loads ? ?

Hope this helps. You can also graph the 12 gauge for yourself, it ain't fun.

Jerry

An 8" chop job is considerable! I'm thinking of 6. I'm just a little reticent to go ahead. Can't glue it back on once the hacksaw has finished it's song.

Your specific records aren't necessary. The general principle is what I'm after. Thanks for sharing your results.

I don't know much about Turkey barrels but I'm wondering if yours is choked? or a cylinder barrel as is, cause it will be cylinder when done!

i know it will be loud as hell... a buddies son had a 20 inch IIRC, 20 ga youth for ducks. 3 inch steel and it hurt my ears worse than anything I'd ever heard in a duck blind... and I shoot 10 at times....

Rug -

You are welcome. Even tho I'm not a Gun Writer I/we should be glad to share our info and experiences.

As to loudness - a kid (short stature) & a short bll shotgun could put the end of the bll close to the level of adult's ears.

However, I've shot my Win 1300 Turkey Gun, 22" bll, with a couple of friends on many occasions PLUS 2Xs I've been in Duck PIT blinds with 2 other hunters, NOBODY ever mentioned it being loud.
My Experience with ADULTS.

Jerry

Jerry

I am working with an Encore single shot so that's pulling the sound production back another +-2". However the extended tube pushes it back out a little. Do you think I may be getting into volume problems. I'm at 76 years now, not a kid any longer, and have no measurable hearing loss. Would be nice to keep it that way.

Your observations are helpful. Thanks

Jim

colodog

Good observation.

It is tubed. Single shot Encore but you're right. I am not going to just saw it off and attempt to take turkeys at 40 yds. I'll have a smith cut and re-thread for a tube.

rost495
That's a consideration. The closer you get to that muzzle the more blast you get. It speaks loud enough with the 26" to let you know it just spoke. Five quick rounds from a 12ga 870 with 18" barrel can make my ears ring. Did it ONCE.

A duck blind could be a bit enclosed and capture even more sound.
Thanks for the warning.

Jim

A 12 ga will be much like a 458 WM or 45-70 Govt, in other words, high expansion ratio cartridges, they're not as affected by shorter barrels in losing velocity like low expansion ratio cartridges, for example, 257 WBY, 264 Win Mag, or 7mm STW.

I'd have it cut and go hunting.

Rug since you're using an Encore s s it doesn't have the receiver which gives room for the bolt to move backwards & forward, I'd say that's at least 4-5" shorter/closer to your head.

? Maybe ? you know someone who'd help you shoot your or their gun and let you stand a few inches forward. It might give you an idea of what you want to do IF anything.

This is just off the cuff thinking w/o cutting your bll. As you said, you can't glue it back on !!

Good Luck

Jerry