RE: barrel length
 

There was a study done with Green Mountain 1/28 twist barrels shooting 80 grains of RS. There were 5 barrel lengths used; 20,22,24,26 and 28 inches. Accuracy varied only 1/2" at 100 yards and a 7 power scope was used in the test. There was a loss of 13.5 fps. for each inch of barrel reduction. The rifle used was a TC caplock.

So; in this test there would be a loss of 27 fps. and no significant loss of accuracy going to a 26" barrel from a 28". Barrel length is more important when using real black powder than the substitutes that are used in the inlines. If your going with a flinter then use a longer barrel but if your going with an inline a 26" barrel would be fine. I find the longer barrels much easier to use with open sights than the shorter ones but my carbines sure are nice to carry all day. I only have flinters and use real black powder; twist rates of 1/66 and 1/28 that shoot ball, conicals or sabot. The deer don't seem to notice a difference in barrel length or a loss of 50-100 fps.