What length barrel do you prefer?

[smoothshooter]

Another advantage of shorter barrels that I forgot to mention is that if you get caught out in the rain or wet snow, the shorter barrel tucks in under a poncho better.

I have suspected for years this explains some of the popularity of shorter barrels during the muzzleloader era in northern and central Europe where there is so much inclement weather; the shorter barrel being easier to protect from the elements by covering it with the shooter's greatcoat or cape.

 

[Tinker2]

I would recommend that you handle some first, see what you like.
See what will fit in your vehicle

The guns that I shoot the most have progressively gotten shorter



William Alexander

 

[Stumpkiller]

Another advantage of shorter barrels that I forgot to mention is that if you get caught out in the rain or wet snow, the shorter barrel tucks in under a poncho better.

:shocked2:

The lock is all you have to protect and just keep the muzzle pointed down. I hope you're not snugglin up with the muzzle inside your poncho.

 

[graybeard]

I bought a smoothbore Tulle a while back. twenty gauge and 44"barrel. Used it for rabbits, grouse and woodcock, plus turkeys. The long barrel is clumsy anywhere, but especially in spruce thickets where birds like to go. Cut it back to 38" and find it's much handier. Also shoots a round ball well and had planned to deer hunt with it this fall but a worn out hip joint got in the way. graybeard

 

[smoothshooter]

I DO keep the muzzle down in those circumstances.

Speaking as someone who accidentally shot myself through the right hand and ring finger with a .22 pistol a year and a half ago in a fluke situation, I am pretty aware of the consequences of even the slightest lapse of firearms safety. Splintered the finger bone and shattered the knuckle where the finger joins the hand into 6 or 8 pieces, then exited the back side of the right hand. Still have bullet fragments in there. And I have always been one of the most careful people around guns or anything else you could ever ask for.

BTW, CCI .22 hollowpoints do expand very well even at pocket pistol velocities at near contact range.


I like to be able to protect the whole gun as much as I can when it's raining or snowing until I am actually preparing to fire.
I like to protect more than just the lock if I can.
There's something about seeing a stream of water running off of the end of a $1200 to $1600 gun with a hand - fitted wood stock and ramrod that just seems wrong.

Those stock dimensions you gave are near perfect for me as well.

Who made your smoothbore? I saw a picture of it you posted a while back. It is a really nice looking gun. I am needing another one myself.

 

[jamieorr]

Stumpkiller, I haven't seen references to pitch and toe out before - can you elaborate for a rookie? Thanks.

Jamie

 

[Stumpkiller]

There's something about seeing a stream of water running off of the end of a $1200 to $1600 gun with a hand - fitted wood stock and ramrod that just seems wrong.

Doesn't look much better dripping off a $2,800 smoothie or $3,400 rifled flintlock, either. But outdoors is where the deer seem to congregate so that's where I take my muzzleloaders. I recommend a good rubbing with BriWax. Be taking my Mike Brooks fowler out tomorrow - raining or not.

Pardon the breech-loaders:

Pitch is the angle the butt-plate takes off the perpendicular of the bore(s). You can also get there by measuring the trigget to heel vs. the trigget to toe distances.

Toe out is the toe of the butt-plate being further off the centerline than the heel.

 

[jamieorr]

Thanks, could make a guess at pitch but had no clue about toe out - never noticed it on any gun I've handled (which I admit isn't many). Is it common? Wondering if I should build it into my smoothbore.

Jamie

 

[Wes/Tex]

You didn't specifically say what type of smoothbore you were thinking about, but if we're talking a conventional fowler style and you're in the 6 foot tall range, go with 46" or 48". The wieght of these guns and their barrels is not at all heavy and the sight radius is very good. blast is lessened and velocity slightly improved. Have never felt at a particular disadvantage unless I'm in brambles. Nice clean lines and an all around do everything gun.

 

[Roguedog]

I'm fairly uneducated when it comes to the different styles of smoothbore guns but I believe I would like something along the lines of a traditional English or American fowling piece and not a smooth rifle. I am focusing on a kit from either Chambers or TVM.

I would most likely be using the gun for squirrels and possibly turkey, assuming I can work up a good load. I would also enjoy having the ability to shoot a round ball out to 50 yards or so for deer hunting.

As others have mentioned, I do have dedicated rifles for the purpose of harvesting deer but always enjoy hunting with different guns.

Thanks a lot for all the replys. Looks like opinions are all over the place. I think it would be wise to handle a few and see how they feel. As for now, I may split the difference and go with a 38" or 40" barrel.

Jeff

 

[Wes/Tex]

Personally like teh Chambers Penn. fowler's more classical lines nd longer barrel. I'm for all the barrel you can get. the weight is hardly noticable between 40" and 46" but the accuracy is...at least to me. :wink:

 

[Tinker2]

Very good post on pitch, cast-off, etc.
Thanks :thumbsup:



William Alexander