November 14, 2009, 10:38 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: May 17, 2007
Location: God's Country
Posts: 100
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In-line barrel length
What is the optimal barrel length for today's inline's? I am looking to get into muzzleload hunting and like shorter barrels where possible, but is there a big difference between say a 24" vs 28" barrel?
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November 14, 2009, 07:09 PM | #2 | ||
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Location: Central Connecticut
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I don't think that the barrel length makes too much of a difference at normal hunting ranges under ~150 yards.
The caliber & weight of the bullet and powder charge that are selected also contribute to a barrel's maximum range. And when someone really wants to reach out to the more extreme BP hunting ranges then they usually choose a long range hunter model with a longer 28 inch barrel. But for most practical hunting purposes, a 4 inch difference in barrel length shouldn't make too much of a difference. Quote:
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Last edited by arcticap; November 14, 2009 at 07:16 PM. |
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November 15, 2009, 07:49 AM | #3 | |
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Great thread svenrh. Articap, thanks for the(as usual) very informative,excellent response. Agree that under normal hunting ranges the 4" barrel length will not make a difference.
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November 15, 2009, 09:22 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: November 20, 2007
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I have inline muzzleloaders with barrel lengths from 22" to 28." IME: A few inches of barrel length makes very little difference in velocity unless very heavy charges of black powder or a substitute are used.
I sometimes fire my guns after legal game shooting times in the evenings to unload the gun or check the zero. There is absolutely no muzzle flash from my 22" and 24" barrels when using 100 grains of Pyrodex or two 50 grain Pyrodex pellets along with the 240 .430 grain XTP bullet. Put 150 grains of Pyrodex RS or three 50 grain Pyrodex pellets in a 22" or 24" barrel under the same conditions and there is a 4-6' sheet of sparks and flame from the muzzle. |
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