the longest barrel

[Dean Romig]

Maybe more power/velocity due to a more fully burned powder charge... This, I think would be more necessry in the bigger gauges like the 10 and especially the 8.

[paul stafford jr]

in the old days of black powder, there rate of burn was controlled by the size of the granules. the grain size was 1-4 the long barrel could take advantage of the slowest burning powder, thus achieving higher velocity. this only worked to a point. smokeless powders work different and at much higher pressures, allowing high velocity in much shorter barrels.

[Fishtail]

Do we really have to wonder why a man might want to pull out the gun with the longest barrel.....?

[John Davis]

It's America, bigger is always better.

[C.O.B.]

Our moderator Mark weilds a 36 inch barreled 10ga on the sporting clays range with great effect

[Daryl Middlebrook]

I have two long barreled 8 gauge Parkers. One with 40 1/2" barrels. The other measures 40 1/8 ". I also have a 10 gauge C grade with 36" steel barrels.----My research indicates that Dean is correct. The old timers thought that long barrels promoted higher velocity using black powder.-----------Also have a 38" 16 gauge 0 grade hammer.----Daryl

[Dean Romig]

Wow Daryl, a 38" 16 gauge... whew!!

[Bindlestiff]

Daryl, did that come from a Julia auction. I was there with Austin when one sold, just wondering if that is the same one. I often wondered where that gun went.

[Daryl Middlebrook]

If you are asking about the 16ga, it did not come from Julia's. Although I have purchased guns from them in years past.-----Daryl

[Bindlestiff]

Daryl,

Sorry I wasn't clear, yes I was thinking of the 16 ga. The one Austin and I handled at that auction was very interesting. It would sure be something to try to swat some clays out of the sky using it. Looking down those 16ga barrels was like look down a narrow runway. It was a memorable gun that sold to an unknown phone bidder.