Barrel length

I thought it would be interesting to find out what most people favored in a barrel length for a smoothbore intended to be used with both shot and round ball.

As for caliber I think 20ga (.62) is most popular.

I once had a Curley G-sky (I forget his name and couldn't spell it anyway) Northwest Trade gun and it had a 44" (if I remember correctly) and it had a .12ga barrel. If I were to get another smoothbore it would have the longer barrel regardless of caliber /gauge.

When mine was ordered I chose a 38" X .62 barrel and never regreted the decision.

I have a 20 x 42", I use it for every thing. Mark

Mine is 46" and 20 gauge. Love it.

Spence

NWTF Longhunter said:

I thought it would be interesting to find out what most people favored in a barrel length for a smoothbore intended to be used with both shot and round ball.

As for caliber I think 20ga (.62) is most popular.

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So much depends on the barrel profile and the handling expectations. With a tapered barrel, sized for the gauge, you can have an excellent handling gun with a 42, 44 or 46" barrel. If the barrel is not tapered or swamped from the breech to the muzzle, then the shorter 38" or even shorter begins to better handling requirements wanted in a smooth bored gun.

Seems we are an easy bunch to please Ron. I'm no different I have a 28", 12 gauge. Love it. Also have a 42", 20 gauge. Love it too. :idunno:

That being said, the longer barrel is easier on the ears when a lot of shots are taken, like in the squirrel woods. I appreciate that.

Best regards, Skychief

I have a 20 ga that I shortened to 36 in. the woods here in PA are very thick. My buddy has a NWT gun with a 30 in. barrel and he loves it. I was surprised how much handier it is with 6 in. less barrel.

My favorite, at least at the moment is a .58 Carolina gun with a 47 3/8 inch barrel made by Mike Brooks. This thing is so light it is just a joy to shoot.

I have 2 barrel lengths I like, and both guns serve me well. My Early English Trade Gun .62 has a 39 in barrel, perfect for still hunting with PRB or shot. Not too long of a barrel that it gets hung up walking through the woods. Deer, rabbit, and squirrel.
The other is an English straight stock Fowler .58 with a 44 in barrel, very accurate with PRB, and sitting in the squirrel or deer stand it's perfect.

I have a TFC with a 42 and a NWG with a 36. Much preferred the TFC

42" swamped 16 gauge (0.662") from a 20 gauge blank (lighter & thinner than the 12 gauge or 20 gauge blanks).

One ounce round ball.

My Al Comer Fowler has a 42” and my NWTrade Gun has a 36”. Both are 20ga.

I currently have three smoothbores and I'm considering another....why? :idunno:

I've had several others that I've sold for one reason or another. For me a smoothbore must shoot a roundball accurately out to 50yds. It should also hold a turkey killing pattern out to 30yds. If not then it's no use to me. Barrel length I think is more aesthetics than function.

Of the three guns I now have, one is a 20ga Trade gun with a 38" barrel. Another is a 12ga English Fowler with a 37" barrel. Lastly a 20ga Centermark Tulle that has a 41" barrel. They all shoot center with a RB and also hold a good shot pattern out to 30yds.

If I get another gun I'm leaning towards a 44 to 46" 20ga tube. I don't think the longer barrel will improve range or accuracy but I think I'd like the look of a longer gun.....I know, I must be :youcrazy: :idunno:

Length favored? :hmm:
Can't answer. I liked the long barrel on my Brown Bess until health issues stopped me from being able to use it.
My Jackie Brown fowler has a 31" barrel.

44" on my Club butt fowler 20ga, 40" on my lined 16ga caplock.

Like them long and have found no problem with the length.

The woods are more like THICKETS here in N.W. Alabama so a long barreled gun is a pain in the butt for me. My Joe Schell iron mounted smooth rifle has a colerain 32 inch 12 ga oct to round barrel that is jug choked by Danny Caywood. It throws turkey killing patterns to 40 yrds an shoots a .700 patched ball pretty darn good out to 55/60 yrds or good enough to kill a deer anyway

I am looking for another flint fowler in 16 or 20 bore. Can't get excited if the barrel is under 40". 42" to 46" would be nice for me.

I'm in the longer camp. I prefer 48" but I've a 46" x .62 cal. for now. I have had up to 56". I guess I'm kinda like a butterfly that goes from flower to flower. I can't seem to keep a gun very long... :/

I guess I'm kinda like a butterfly that goes from flower to flower. I can't seem to keep a gun very long... :/

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It's a disease called fickleitis :metoo: