text: best barrel length for slug hunting? i have opportunity to hunt with a mossberg 930  3-inch slug.   the problem is i have a choice of a rifled 18" or 24" barrel. what are the true differences between the two barrels as far as velocity and accuracy? not just opinion please.   i want to also use this shotgun as home protection and the fact that it is rifled barrel is not a problem for home defense, the pattern does not matter when im shooting 10 feet.   i understand it is a weird question put can you guys help. if you want to know the true difference between the two, it's a simple answer, there is none. no i'm not crazy, velocity and accuracy is determined in the last  2 1/2" of your barrel. it's called the choke, you can purchase a shotgun with a number of different chokes as in ( full , modified, semi modified, to improved cylinder) i have five different interchangeable chokes for my browning over/under and each have there purpose.  being that both barrels have rifling the only difference you will notice between the two barrels would be the the recoil will be some what greater on the 18" barrel, and the 24" will get you 6"closer to your target.  range of the gun is determined by the slug and the drams of powder in the slug. you will notice that when you purchase slugs they are already state magnum load on the box as well as size 2 3/4 or 3" shells.  this isn' t brag cause i"ve never done it but i watched my dad with his model 1100 remington with a 26" barrel with modified choke and 2 3/4" slug split penny post cards at 100 yds. so that 3" should get you that no problem   good luck on your hunt.