Legal Barrel Length ?

[Clint-06]

Ok, I know the legal length for Rifles is 16", but does this also cover muzzleloaders?
Since a Muzzleloader is not considered a "firearm" I have to think it would be ok to do whatever will one, right???

Of course as soon as I cut the barrel the ATF will knock the door down
What do you think?
Thanks!
Clint-06

 

[CAL]

06,
I thought the legal length for any gun whether shotgun or rifle was 18 inchs.I would think you are correct in saying it is alright to do whatever to a black powder gun since it is not considered a firearm.

 

[leoparddog]

Sure you could cut it down, but you wouldn't get much out of it.

Pyrodex and the other substitutes burn at a slower rate than smokeless powder. With a rifle you lose velocity for every inch (I've heard its around 50-80fps loss/inch) with a blackpowder rifle you'll lose abunch more as it needs that length to burn.

That's why older blackpowder rifles could be found with barrels starting around 28" and going to 40"+

Going to a finer powder grannulation would help some. That's why pistols shoot FFFg - faster burn rate.

I think if it were ballistically feasible, you'd find new frontloaders with 16" - 18" barrels.