I think that the current wisdom of having every gun fit to your exact dimensions or only being able to shoot 28, 30 or better yet 32" barrels is a load of crap. Just as 25" barrels was a marketing ploy these modern experts that loathe anything which does not have screw in choke tubes, long barrels, custom made stock, or worse yet an adjustable stock just are trying to create demand where there is none. It is not the gun it is mostly the gunner.
I know that I am getting old but shooting styles need to be as flexible as your guns. Often a sustained lead in not possible. TO me a complete shooter is one who can shoot well by multiple styles of shooting. Swing through, sustained lead, spot shooting in certain situations all have their merits. So to do long or short barrels and stocks with more or less drop than average.
If I am in a layout blind and have to shoot from a sitting or kneeling position I do not want a high combed stock. It smacks the face and hurts like heck. Try shooting 32" barrels out of a blind that has enough cover to stop a small gale or a tight area where you need to stop your swing before you hit a tree or blind frame.
Just as I have not found the universal shell I have failed to find the universal gun. But as I am still looking I still have hope. Besides I built my gun room because safes had a nasty habit of running out of room. Far easier to fill a large safe than a large room. So until the perfect gun comes along the less than perfect guns will have to be used on a trial and error basis until I narrow down the field to just one or two. Might be easier if there was not so much game to shoot and so little time.
