How long is too long for smallbore?

[thatoneguy82]

Thinking of making a squirrel rifle and the only barrel I could find is a 42in long .32cal. Seems pretty long, and especially long since its going to be a halfstock but I'd rather not trim it up if Ican help it, so my question is are there any benefits to a long barrel on a small bore (other than sight radius), and how long it too long?

 

[Greebe]

I do not know about the barrel length, but it is not difficult to cut the barrel back, face it off, and re-crown on a lathe. I can do that for you if you decide that is something you want to do.

 

[tbarnes66]

In preparation for my next build which is going to be a "TN", I just received a copy of "Gunmakers of Buffalo Valley & Greasy Cove in Unicoi County, Tennessee" by Dave Byrd.

Most of the guns described are either .32 or .36 cal and almost everyone of them has a barrel of more than 42".

I think the long barrel on these small, slender caliber squirrel / hog rifles is one of the biggest aspects of their appeal.

 

[rich pierce]

Any rifle barrel over 54" is too long in my opinion. :grin:

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

Did you also happen to notice that most of those rifles in that book have 46 inch barrels that are 15/16 to 1 inch across the flats for those 32 and 36s.

Those were some mighty stout folks to be carrying those rifles in those hills.

 

[thatoneguy82]

I think you're right about the long slender profile, I guess the only reason I was second guessing it was that I couldn't find many pictures of original half stock rifles with barrels over 40in. After I add the patent percussion breech I suspect it'll be pushing 43in , but as long as I leave enough forearm for a 30in rib to run the lenght of the barrel then I'll probably leave it be and just have a really long squirrel rifle.

 

[F.G. Ford]

With a 60" barrel, you're half way up the tree.
The squirrel doesn't have a chance :rotf:
You don't even need a ball....just a lot of powder....then cook em.
Save lead preserve our country side from lead poisoning. :grin:
Fred

 

[biliff]

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42" barreled .32. Full stock. 3/4" across the flats so I don't have to be particularly "stout" to carry it around.

Don't find it to be to long or cumbersome. Shoots well offhand or from an improvised rest.

Having the front sight out there a ways helps on small targets as it doesn't cover up the target so much. Guess you could do the same thing on a shorter barrel by using a narrower front sight.

Also has a drum vice patent breech if you're concerned about the extra inch of length.

 

Greebe has the right idea. You could cut the barrel from the back but its more work to drill out the larger sized tap hole and rethread for the breechplug too. And it must be done carefully. I have made a barrel with such methods and it works. I have also used a hacksaw and just cut off a portion of the barrel. Then you can choose to either file the grooves decoratively or countersink it carefully with a drill to give you a new crown.

 

Funny as hell fred

 

I would say 32 inches would be the max that would be aestetically pleasing on a halfstock rifle and even thats pushing it.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Save lead preserve our country side from lead poisoning. :grin:
Fred

But not the smell of scorched limb chicken! :shocked2: :rotf:

 

[gunmaker43]

No answer to this question, make it to suit your eye. We''ll adjust. This one has 36" 13/16" .32cal. bbl. 8 lb. a steady holder...Tom

 

[Greebe]

Tom, you keep posting some beautiful rifles. Thanks for sharing.

 

[BrownBear]

Having the front sight out there a ways helps on small targets....

My 30 cal is much the same configuration, but a flinter. My geezerly eyes like that front sight pushed out further these days. It's slightly more muzzleheavy than I usually prefer, but that's an advantage too on small bunny heads. It's none too heavy for easy carry, but I'm aware of the extra length and muzzle weight every time I shoulder it.

Would I hack it shorter? Nope.

Would I mind a barrel that long on a half stock? Nope, long as it was laid out to look right.

 

[54ball]

Take a look at the incredible John Small halfstock half way down the page. Small was a very early Mid-West maker. So early in fact, it was just the West.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showpost.php?post/1172740/

 

[54ball]

For a long slender half stock consider a wooden underib like on many half stock Tennessees.
A slim long barreled halfstock can look spectacular. A 43" barrel should be no problem at all.

 

[F.G. Ford]

Nice rifle Tom!
That don't look like a CVA
Very handsome indeed!
Fred

 

[thatoneguy82]

This is sort of the direction I was thinking of going. http://www.hawkenrifles.com/squirrel.html

 

[54ball]

Here is a kit for you. Your straight barrel should work with it.
Link Don Stith