Patterns. Long vs. Short barrels???

Thinking of turkey season today, and my itch to procure a "short" barrelled tradegun once I find one, leads me to the following question for all of you guys.....

In your experience, do you believe that shorter barrels, say 28"-36", produce patterns as dense as longer barrels, say 42"+?

If so, great.

If not, how much thinner pattern should one expect from the shorter barrels.

For the sake of the discussion, let's say each barrel is loaded with very similar powder and shot charges, if not exactly the same.

Thanks for weighing in, Skychief :thumbsup:

I think that if both are cyl. bored the barrel length would not matter. You would get the same pattern from both barrel lengths.

I agree. I have 3 barrels in cylinder bore 20 gauge, two on a double flint, one on a flint smoothbore. The double barrels are 32", the smoothbore is 46". They all seem to pattern the same.

Spence

In theory, a long barrel Should be able to throw a better pattern for the reason that pressure can drop a little before the charge leaves the muzzle, and as we know, pressure is what can blow patterns.
But, (There's always a "But"!)
it all depends on the boring, and even true cylinders differ in this, and how well they throw a charge.
Maybe we should say a long barrel May throw a heavy charge a little better, (Maybe!)

One of the best I ever had was a very beaten up old double, made about 1835, 20-bore percussion with 28' barrels. It would throw a killing pattern at 40 yards nearly every time.
I patterned this one, and used no 4 British, so about # 5 American.
I even set out 3 or 4 bean cans at a time at that distance, and it would put at least 4 or 5 pellets into each can. I didn't realize it was a rare bird to do that at that range at the time.
I used 2 1/4 drs of C&H No 2 powder, and 1 to 1 1/4 Oz. of shot.
Have a single barreled 15 bore (1840's) and it is just good as at that range, with same load. 32 inch barrel on that one.

Tried a 34" barreled old 12-bore recently, and never did get it to pattern well yet! It is more of a 25 yard gun at present.

RJDH said:

...pressure can drop a little before the charge leaves the muzzle, and as we know, pressure is what can blow patterns....

Click to expand...

I've always wondered about that, as in my guns patterns are better not only with smaller charges, but also as I go to slower and slower burning rates (i.e., larger granulations). In all of my smoothbores patterns are best when using 1f and worst with 3f. Modest charges of 2f always fall somewhere between, but every gun has been able to beat them with 1f.

I do not believe that the length of the barrel has any effect on the pattern it throws. Minute differences in the diameter of the barrel, say + or - .001 might make a difference..........robin :hmm:

I don't believe barrel length is a factor in pattern spread. However, I have found longer barrels are easier to point/aim with no rear sight than short ones. My Brown Bess would hit where I wanted (most of the time :redface: ) unless I messed up. My 31" barreled fowler still has me bumfuzzled for best hold and sighting to hit where I want.

I spent a lot of time with a 20-gauge tulle replica. I found the 42-inch barrel a pita. Cut it back to 36 imches and it works fine. Mostly hunt grouse in thick cover. As best I could tell, the pattern was just as good with the short barrel.

My .62 has a 38" barrel and I see little to no difference compared with a 12ga dbl 20" I use to own.