If you had only two choices.

[Sandro_Ventania]

If you had only two choices for a ball and patch rifle...one with a 5 groove barrel and one with a 9 groove barrel. Which would you choose and why?

 

[WalnutRed]

Whichever one had groves and lands of equal width. Although I know most period barrels were not cut this way. I think there's way more variables in barrel choice than number of grooves.

 

[52Bore]

Would depend on bore diameter.

 

[cynthialee]

I'd be more interested in the twist rate and the depth of the rifling than the groove count.

 

[oldwood]

Rifling depth?? 9 groove sounds like shallow groove button rifling , while 5 groove could be either button or cut rifling. Measure the rifling depth , and twist. More info needed.

 

[rich pierce]

Would depend on bore diameter.

Exactly

 

[SDSmlf]

Edit. Just saw OP was from Brazil and deleted my post.

 

[SDSmlf]

If you had only two choices for a ball and patch rifle...one with a 5 groove barrel and one with a 9 groove barrel. Which would you choose and why?

I see you are in Brazil. Maybe tell us about the barrels you have and how they shoot. Or are you asking about what kind of barrel you should try to obtain? Suspect you may have limitations on what you may be able to get compared to those of us in the USA.

 

[LME]

Would depend on bore diameter.

Why?

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Why?

I am just guessing, but if you had a 32 cal with 9 grooves that would be way too many.
Larry

 

[Sandro_Ventania]

I'd be more interested in the twist rate and the depth of the rifling than the groove count.

Depth and twist are negotiable... groove numbers... just those two!

 

[Sandro_Ventania]

Edit. Just saw OP was from Brazil and deleted my post

I didn't delete it. I didn't even see your post.

 

[Sandro_Ventania]

I see you are in Brazil. Maybe tell us about the barrels you have and how they shoot. Or are you asking about what kind of barrel you should try to obtain? Suspect you may have limitations on what you may be able to get compared to those of us in the USA.

Yes... I'm in Brazil and the limitations are great. The question is about a possible purchase... the twist and depth are negotiable, but the number of grooves are only those two... I don't know why. The caliber is possibly a .45

 

[Sandro_Ventania]

I am just guessing, but if you had a 32 cal with 9 grooves that would be way too many.
Larry

Why?

 

[SDSmlf]

I didn't delete it. I didn't even see your post.

I deleted my post. It would not have been helpful with you being in Brazil.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Why?

Respectfully, Why would one need 9 grooves in a 32 caliber? Tell me the benefit/ reason of 9 and then I will know how to answer your question.
Larry

 

[cynthialee]

Yes... I'm in Brazil and the limitations are great. The question is about a possible purchase... the twist and depth are negotiable, but the number of grooves are only those two... I don't know why. The caliber is possibly a .45

so I am guessing you are having a barrel crafted?

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Could this be why many barrels had 7 grooves? They couldn't decide between 5 and 9?

 

[Rudyard]

I deleted my post. It would not have been helpful with you being in Brazil.

Why would his being in Brazil affect your view? He lives there , Nice to hear he's into muzzleloading .Only thing I know about Brazil is they once imported ' Lazzarino guns' a really basic flintlock gun. Good luck to him. Rudyard

 

[Loyalist Dave]

If you had only two choices for a ball and patch rifle...one with a 5 groove barrel and one with a 9 groove barrel. Which would you choose and why?

You've seen replies about the depth of the rifling, and the width of the rifling, and one asked about the twist rate.

I'd try to test fire both and whichever was the most accurate would be what I would choose.

IF I could not test fire, then I'd go with a 1:48 twist rate or slower.

LD