This is a very subjective subject (pardon me). I am a more deliberate shooter, preferring longer barrels, especially for longer targets and game. However, in the last three years, after the purchase of a lightweight 16 ga. AE Fox with 30" barrels (hey, I try to stay consistent) I found that I could not shoot it well at doves, initially. With a bit of experimentation I found that by using the method Rocketman described, slapping the trigger asap after cheek weld, my percentages on doves skyrocketed. But here's the kicker, it worked admirably even on very long shots. The method also worked with my little S x S .410s.
I believe this is something similar to Churchill's method. I once took a shooting lesson from the owner of Deep River Sporting Clays, Bill Kempffer. He showed me a method similar to Churchill's where you see no forward allowance, but the "lead" is provided by a strong forward movement of the gun. Ir worked well on the presentations he presented. When I got home I tried it on other long, fast presentations and it did not work. I abandoned it forthwith, with no regrets.
Though I am first and foremost a long barrel man, I've got no issues with short barrels in many situations. I've just never found any need for anything shorter than 28", with 30" barrels, struck light, being a very close runner.
SRH
