Barrel length

[Ron LaClair]

I thought it would be interesting to find out what most people favored in a barrel length for a smoothbore intended to be used with both shot and round ball.

As for caliber I think 20ga (.62) is most popular.

 

[Snakebite]

I once had a Curley G-sky (I forget his name and couldn't spell it anyway) Northwest Trade gun and it had a 44" (if I remember correctly) and it had a .12ga barrel. If I were to get another smoothbore it would have the longer barrel regardless of caliber /gauge.

 

[hanshi]

When mine was ordered I chose a 38" X .62 barrel and never regreted the decision.

 

[mark/wi]

I have a 20 x 42", I use it for every thing. Mark

 

[George]

Mine is 46" and 20 gauge. Love it.

Spence

 

[Grenadier1758]

I thought it would be interesting to find out what most people favored in a barrel length for a smoothbore intended to be used with both shot and round ball.

As for caliber I think 20ga (.62) is most popular.

So much depends on the barrel profile and the handling expectations. With a tapered barrel, sized for the gauge, you can have an excellent handling gun with a 42, 44 or 46" barrel. If the barrel is not tapered or swamped from the breech to the muzzle, then the shorter 38" or even shorter begins to better handling requirements wanted in a smooth bored gun.

 

[Skychief]

Seems we are an easy bunch to please Ron. I'm no different I have a 28", 12 gauge. Love it. Also have a 42", 20 gauge. Love it too. :idunno:

That being said, the longer barrel is easier on the ears when a lot of shots are taken, like in the squirrel woods. I appreciate that.

Best regards, Skychief

 

[bud in pa]

I have a 20 ga that I shortened to 36 in. the woods here in PA are very thick. My buddy has a NWT gun with a 30 in. barrel and he loves it. I was surprised how much handier it is with 6 in. less barrel.

 

[Trot]

My favorite, at least at the moment is a .58 Carolina gun with a 47 3/8 inch barrel made by Mike Brooks. This thing is so light it is just a joy to shoot.

 

[Ranger1759]

I have 2 barrel lengths I like, and both guns serve me well. My Early English Trade Gun .62 has a 39 in barrel, perfect for still hunting with PRB or shot. Not too long of a barrel that it gets hung up walking through the woods. Deer, rabbit, and squirrel.
The other is an English straight stock Fowler .58 with a 44 in barrel, very accurate with PRB, and sitting in the squirrel or deer stand it's perfect.

 

[tenngun]

I have a TFC with a 42 and a NWG with a 36. Much preferred the TFC

 

[Stumpkiller]

42" swamped 16 gauge (0.662") from a 20 gauge blank (lighter & thinner than the 12 gauge or 20 gauge blanks).

One ounce round ball.

 

[FiremanBrad]

My Al Comer Fowler has a 42” and my NWTrade Gun has a 36”. Both are 20ga.

 

[Ron LaClair]

I currently have three smoothbores and I'm considering another....why? :idunno:

I've had several others that I've sold for one reason or another. For me a smoothbore must shoot a roundball accurately out to 50yds. It should also hold a turkey killing pattern out to 30yds. If not then it's no use to me. Barrel length I think is more aesthetics than function.

Of the three guns I now have, one is a 20ga Trade gun with a 38" barrel. Another is a 12ga English Fowler with a 37" barrel. Lastly a 20ga Centermark Tulle that has a 41" barrel. They all shoot center with a RB and also hold a good shot pattern out to 30yds.

If I get another gun I'm leaning towards a 44 to 46" 20ga tube. I don't think the longer barrel will improve range or accuracy but I think I'd like the look of a longer gun.....I know, I must be :youcrazy: :idunno:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Length favored? :hmm:
Can't answer. I liked the long barrel on my Brown Bess until health issues stopped me from being able to use it.
My Jackie Brown fowler has a 31" barrel.

 

[nhmoose]

44" on my Club butt fowler 20ga, 40" on my lined 16ga caplock.

Like them long and have found no problem with the length.

 

[wattlebuster]

The woods are more like THICKETS here in N.W. Alabama so a long barreled gun is a pain in the butt for me. My Joe Schell iron mounted smooth rifle has a colerain 32 inch 12 ga oct to round barrel that is jug choked by Danny Caywood. It throws turkey killing patterns to 40 yrds an shoots a .700 patched ball pretty darn good out to 55/60 yrds or good enough to kill a deer anyway

 

[Coot]

I am looking for another flint fowler in 16 or 20 bore. Can't get excited if the barrel is under 40". 42" to 46" would be nice for me.

 

[Keb]

I'm in the longer camp. I prefer 48" but I've a 46" x .62 cal. for now. I have had up to 56". I guess I'm kinda like a butterfly that goes from flower to flower. I can't seem to keep a gun very long... :/

 

[Ron LaClair]

I guess I'm kinda like a butterfly that goes from flower to flower. I can't seem to keep a gun very long... :/

It's a disease called fickleitis :metoo: