NWTG Barrel Length

[Innawoodsman]

Hello, I'm building a Northwest Trade gun soon and was wondering will I get much more velocity and accuracy out of a 42'' vs 36'' and would the extra 6'' of barrel affect handling much. It will be use mostly for deer , squirrel , and rabbit but will see the occasional duck/pheasant hunt.

 

[tg]

I have had 36 and 42 inch barrels on smoothbore of a similar style and found no difference in performance or handleing I get along fine with a 44" barrel in thick brush and cover I just alter my carry method and general way of hunting a bit to be more comfortable, I would not be afraid/hesitant to use the longer barrel and have seen very few who have regretted the choice to go with a longer barrel a few but not many at all really.

 

[asbrown]

Something to consider, if you even care, is the time period your leaning toward. The earlier guns had barrel lengths from 42-48". The later you go the more the trend tended towards the shorter barrels. 30-36" was common. If your historical concerns aren't part of the equation, then i agree with the other respondent, I'll always lean toward longer, it's just cooler. Currently I'm collecting parts for a 48" smooth rifle, like I said, longer is cooler.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Hello, I'm building a Northwest Trade gun soon and was wondering will I get much more velocity and accuracy out of a 42'' vs 36'' and would the extra 6'' of barrel affect handling much. It will be use mostly for deer , squirrel , and rabbit but will see the occasional duck/pheasant hunt.

I have carried long barreled ml rifles and my Brown Bess in our thick Ozark woods with no difficulty.
Any increase in velocity would be so negligible as to be insignificant.