Which barrel length should I choose?

With 34” barrels becoming popular in some spheres we asked Simon Rood from James Purdey & Sons what difference a few inches make and how you can make the right choice for your shooting.

Confidence is critical

Q: I normally shoot with 30 inch barrels but do I need 32 or 34” inch barrels for the highest pheasants at the likes of Brigands?

A: Over time we have seen changes in the way we approach our shooting and the kit we use to deal with a variety of targets. I personally shoot a 32” gun and feel this is best suited for me and I stress is not for all. For very high birds like ones you are presented with at Brigands I would say a 30” or 32” barrel would be about right for the majority. However I have seen some extremely high birds shot with 28” barrels or less.

It is all about what you are comfortable with, what fits you and something which you have the confidence in using to tackle these types of birds. We must also remember we should be shooting at things within our ability. Yes everybody likes to test themselves, but there are times when you must simply doff your cap to some of these ‘extreme birds’ as they soar over out of range.

What is too short?

Q: There are famous examples of 25 inch barrels (EJ Churchill for instance) so would I be OK shooting normal driven game with this length? It seems short!

A: Personally I do think this is short. If you stand at 6ft 5”, as I do, then it does look a little odd. But again it comes down to personal preference and style of shooting, along with the quarry you are after. For your driven grouse or partridges whizzing over the butts and hedgerows then a 25” gun could conceivably be considered a better tool than a 32” gun. Typically it will be lighter and a much faster handling gun to pick up the line of the birds quickly. For driven pheasants then I would say stick to your 28”, 30” or 32”.

Bespoke guns give better balance

Q: Longer barrels mean a heavier gun which is presumably good for felt recoil?

A: This is not always the case as you can specify detailed barrel weights and it also depends if you are using a game gun or a clay gun. A heavier gun certainly enables a steady but controlled swing. If you watch a lot of the top shots then barrel movement is minimum and it almost looks like they are shooting in slow motion and placing the shot. Yes a heavier gun will absorb the recoil better in most cases, but there are other contributing factors to felt recoil, such as gun fit/dimensions and even down to the gun stock and the grain. Balance is a very important part of any bespoke gun; a gun can seem heavy but once in the shoulder that weight is spread and it feels perfectly balanced.

Don’t meddle too much

Q: Should I use different length barrels for different types of shooting i.e. traditional partridge and high pheasants?

A: I would find one gun/pair of guns and stick to them. Once you get into having multiple guns for a variety of quarry then I feel you fall into the black hole of mind games. You will also shortly find out you have a favourite and always take it out of the cabinet first anyway.

I use one gun for everything and also one cartridge for everything, although later on in the season and when shooting very high birds I will increase the weight and shot size a little. Shoot with what you are comfortable and confident with. If you shoot driven grouse one day then extreme pheasants the next remember you have the option of changing cartridge, also nowadays you have the option of multi chokes on nearly all guns.

Stick to your tried and tested technique

Q: Do different length barrels require a different style of shooting?

A: I don’t think barrel lengths require a different style of shooting but everyone is slightly different in their own approach and style. As mentioned before some people look so calm when they shoot and then you get some very animated shots. I do however think there is a difference in shooting styles between a side-by-side shotgun and an over-under. I feel you have to work much harder and be more aggressive when using a side-by-side, but again that could be down to my style and approach…

Technically a longer barrelled gun is more pointable and aids a nice smooth swing, but it does not have a ballistic advantage over shorter barrelled guns. Use the summer months to find something you are comfortable with and confident to use.

Practice makes perfect

Q: If I make a big jump in barrel length is there a danger it will have a negative impact on my shooting?

A: Initially if you go from using a 28” gun to a long-barrelled 32” or 34” then at first you might find it a struggle. However, as with anything, as long as you have a well fitted gun then the more you practice you might see your performance gradually improve. Having shot a 34” gun, I did find it was too much and not for me. Other people love them but I would say they are a minority.

As you can tell from Simon's answers above, Purdey put a lot of emphasis on gun fit. Click here to book an appointment or to find out more.

Written by Will Hetherington, GunsOnPegs Contributing Editor.

Will was the editor of the Shooting Gazette, a leading international driven shooting magazine, for 13 years. Having been involved with country sports publishing for a total of 19 years, he is now our Contributing Editor at GunsOnPegs.