Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders What length barrel?

I'm looking at getting a 50 cal muzzle loader barrel for my Thompson Encore Hunter. They come in 20", 26", and 28" stainless fluted. I've never owned or shot a muzzle loader. I'm leaning towards the 20" but don't want to make a mistake. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Where will the muzzleloader see most of it's use??

If in a stand in the timber or for still hunting I would have no issue w that 20" barrel. If somewhere that extra velocity could be used at extended range the 26 may be useful.

Mine is a 24" and I can hit basketball sized rocks at 300 with decent regularity. I don't know how much velocity I'm giving up...but not enough to make me worry.

I'd go with 28". You don't get many second shots with a muzzleloader so if that 8 inches of barrel is going to slow you down, you need to slow down anyway so you can be deliberate enough to make that first shot count.

Tom

40" would be best!!

I was gonna say 34" lol. If my choices were those 3, I'd go 28".

Oh....OK....he's working with one of those 'wannabe ML modern rifles'!!

40" would still be best!!

I’d go 26”, next would be 28”. I’d want more than 20” for the speed of the burn.

This...

I’ve had muzzleloaders with barrels from 21” to 30”. I’d never opt for a short barreled one again, I like 28”. I think the supposed advantages of a short barrel are more theoretical than actual.

I’ve got an encore with 28” barrel. If I had to do it again I’d go 26”. If 24” were an option I’d like to handle one. 20” would be too short for my taste unless I was only hunting tight cover. My black powder hunting is from the same stands as my rifle hunting. They can range anywhere from right under you to 250+