36 vs 40 inch barrel?

[early cuyler]

That's what stands between me and my North West Trade Gun from Northstar West. I am hung up on the barrel length. I was looking at the canoe gun, as some times I sit in a stand, and my other spot is under a ceder. Its short length is appealing, but I want to get the most out of my powder. I dont know that I want the barrel shorter then 36 inches. Any one fool with the canoe type guns And will the 40 inch barrel do anything for me in the accuracy and power department ? Thank you for your time.

 

[roundball]

I am hung up on the barrel length. I was looking at the canoe gun, as some times I sit in a stand, and my other spot is under a ceder. Its short length is appealing, but I want to get the most out of my powder. I dont know that I want the barrel shorter then 36 inches. Any one fool with the canoe type guns And will the 40 inch barrel do anything for me in the accuracy and power department ? Thank you for your time.

I'll simply offer a generic answer based on using different length barrels for hunting over the years (28" / 32" / 38" / 42").

1) I wouldn't worry about "modern formulas" and 'burn rate efficiencies" that occasionally get thrown around...they're simply irrelevant distractions and have no bearing on the planning and use of muzzleloaders as our ancestors used them.

2) Generally speaking, longer barrels...due to their longer sighting plane...seem to offer a very slight edge in accuracy compared to shorter barrels...BUT...that's usually slight differences shooting bullseyes at the range, not any deal breaker while deer hunting for example.

3) All my hunting has been in thick woods, sitting down against a tree, or up in a ladder stand, etc...I've never noticed any better hunting accuracy deer hunting with my 38" and 42" barrels compared to 28" and 32" barrels.

4) Having said that, I will also say that I've been completely surprised to find that the longer barreled Flintlocks offer no disadvantage hunting as I described either. Before acquiring a 38" .20ga then a 42" .28ga I actually duct taped a piece of PVC pipe along side a 32" T/C barrel filled with bird shot for weight, to simulate a 42" long rifle and hunted a half day like that, zero problems.
So personally, as I've done a few times now myself, if I was going to get a new Flintlock, and the choices were 36" vs. 40" barrels, while either would do OK for your hunting needs, I'd get the 40" barrel and never think twice about it.

Here's the 'rube goldberg' 42" barrel test gun I hunted with from ground blinds and ladder stands to be sure longer barrels wouldn't interfere before I made my decision, just as they apparently didn't interfere when out ancestors used them...LOL.

 

[Rifleman1776]

My new J.B. fowler in 20 ga. has a 31" barrel. I find it very pleasant to hold, swing and shoot. I'm not saying a 36" wouldn't be just as pleasant, I don't know. But this is nice. OTOH, I wouldn't want a very short (e.g. 24") barrel as the velocity might suffer and the muzzle blast could be very unpleasant. I'd say, over 30" do wat please you.

 

[Le Grand]

If you think the canoe gun's barrel is too short, then go with the 30" NW gun. Then if you find the 30" barrel doesn't give the same velocity as the longer tubes, add more powder. And while the longer barrels should give a very slight edge in accuracy, simply based upon sighting radius (which really doesn't exist with no rear sight), that slight edge is nothing compared to getting some practice with your gun. Get the short barrel if that's what you want, it won't disappoint you.

 

[roundball]

I'll add one other comment if you're also going to use it for 'shot loads'...others might chime in as well.
I've seen posts over the years that a longer smoothbore barrel seemed to benefit shot patterns and while I have zero science to back it up my recent 42" .28ga Rice barrel patterns better than my 32" .28ga GM barrel did...identical loads, both cylinder bores, etc.

 

[Keb]

I had one of Curly's NW guns about 30 years ago with a 30" barrel. I won more shooting contests with that gun than any other longer barreled smoothbore I ever owned and I've owned a lot of them. However, I had the chance to buy it back a few months ago and passed. I now own a couple 36" barreled guns and a 48". I only have the longer ones for the looks. :/

 

[Capt. Jas.]

My two cents is that performance in the length differences you give will be negligible to you.

 

[Deadeye]

I have 4 smoothies, 28", 32",36" and 42". There's no difference in their performance but looking at all the old guns makes me think the 42" looks the best but my , hands down,favorite is the 36". None of mine are NW guns.
Deadeye

 

[wattlebuster]

I have a 12 ga english game gun with a 30 inch barrel an I love the way it handles. I dont know what the velocity of any of the loads is an dont care anyway. I just load it shoot it an so far it has taken everything I have shot at but I might add that I only take very sure shots. I like em close an will powder burn game if given the chance. So I say buy what you want an get to shootin :thumbsup:

 

[tg]

I have not used guns much lately that are less than 36" barrels mostly 42"+ and find that all lengths work well once I learn the gun, the appeal of the longer guns to me is that many originals were such and for me trying to experience the same type of shooting experience as they did in the past is an important part of the challenge so I try to duplicate this experience in the type of gear I use as much as practical, it adds to the challenge of using a ML when stepping away from most modern mindsets we have developed.

 

[kleinDeutsch]

I have a 36 inch Trade Gun ( 20 Guage ) and the charge works
great for me. I use it antelope hunting and it
sends the ball clear through an antelope.
(85 grains 3 F)
Sage hen hunting the length still gives me a good sight picture. Go ahead and get one ordered.

 

[troutabout]

A previous owner of my 16 ga Howell cut the barrel back to 35 1/4 inch. The cut is a 32nd out of square. 'Probably cut it back to change the pattern ? Or maybe that was as long as would fit in his carriage or steamer trunk !

 

[wy0mn]

Nothing to contribute, just wanted to welcome Ed aboard.
I'm in Medicine Bow for the moment. Be moving down the road to Rock River soon.

 

[smoothy]

Looking down a 30" barrel vs a 40" has to give the edge to the 40 incher even with no rear sight. You can power up with stiffer charges with the 30 incher to make up for the shorter length, but you'll have to mind the increased pressures. We are lucky today that we can buy good/consistent grades of black powder. If I understand things right, back in the day the powder was inconsistent and there were lower grades. This was one reason longer barrels had a greater popularity, to take advantage of the longer burn time travelling down a longer barrel before exiting.

 

[early cuyler]

Thanks all.
I borrowed a Paki-made Brown Bess and tried my spots, and was able to maneuver that gun fine in both my spots. But my tree spot will meed to be reconsidered as it fills up with smoke when I shoot. Ive been told to forget velocity and concentrate on shooting. Wont be black powder hunting deer this year, but look forward to lots of shooting. Thanks guys.

 

[Ray-Vigo]

I don't think you can go too wrong with either one. That 4 inches is present but I don't think it's as big as many people make it out to be. I have a 38" rifle, 42" rifle and 46" fowler. The difference between the 38 and the 42 in terms of length, I don't notice much. I do notice the difference between the 38 and the 46, but 8 inches is twice what we're talking. I'd go with the 40 if it were me.

 

[smoothshooter]

Consider what will be the most common position you will be in while reloading - for example, if it is standing , having a gun long enough to allow holding the upper end of the gun in the crook of your arm with the butt on the ground , during part of the loading process if necessary, is safe, and more convenienent than clamping it between your knees ( as may be required with a shorter gun )- smoothshooter

 

[early cuyler]

Im leaning towards 36, but have about a month or so to go. Accuracy is tough, as I am still bedazzled by noise and smoke. And night shooting is spectacular to. Cant get enough.

 

[hanshi]

It really depends on what handles the best for you. Mine is 38" just because I like that length.

 

[missionary5155]

Good morning
My favorite for many years was a 32" caliber 58 for deer hunting down in river bottoms. Shot lots of deer with that rifle. But never had to shoot past 34 yards or so.
Popping called crows from a blind with .62 smoothy I like my 38"... Sometimes when the crows are doing the "flip-flop" trying to get out of range it is near impossible to stay with one but then I do not think a 28" barrel would help. I have all sorts of other barrel lengths that I use more at targets and like them all. Longest is a 46". As stated above... whichever you get shoot it alot, carry it a bunch, and in short time it becomes a part of regular routine. Mike in Peru