Blackpower and barrel length

[arkiebob]

I have an option on buying either an Uberti 73 with 20" barrel and an Uberti 73 with a 30" barrel.
My question is in three parts.
1.  Is the 20" barrel too short for black powder cartridges
2.  Does the 20" barrel fire as accurately at longer distances as the 30" barrel?
3.  How well does the 30" barrel fare in side match distance contests?
Thanks,
Arkiebob

[Ranch 13]

For the cartridges the 73 is chambered for the 20 inch barrel will be as good as any.

[Fingers McGee]

I have an option on buying either an Uberti 73 with 20" barrel and an Uberti 73 with a 30" barrel.
My question is in three parts.
1.  Is the 20" barrel too short for black powder cartridges No, three of my rifles are 44-40s with 19 or 20 inch barrels and work just fine with BP.
2.  Does the 20" barrel fire as accurately at longer distances as the 30" barrel?  Define longer and what you're shooting at.  IMHO, they're fine for anything under 100 yds.
3.  How well does the 30" barrel fare in side match distance contests? Depends on the rifle, cartridge, and shooter.  I watched a guy hit a buffalo sized target at 200+ yds, 10 rounds, off hand with a 24 inch barreled 44-40 as fast as you would on a stage at 20 yds.  Generally though, the longer barrel works better at longer ranges. 
Thanks,
Arkiebob

If you're going to be using the rifle as a main match gun, the 20 inch barrel is probably your best bet.  The 30 inch barrel is a littl unweildly to be fast on a normal stage.

FM

[Dr. Bob]

With our modern technology, the 20 inch barrel will shoot as accurately as the 30 inch one off of a rest.  The longer the sight radius, the less the consequence of improperly aligned sights.  At normal CAS ranges the length of barrel will not much matter.  In the longer range shooting, it probably will make a bit of difference.

[Fiddler Green]

I have an option on buying either an Uberti 73 with 20" barrel and an Uberti 73 with a 30" barrel.
My question is in three parts.
1.  Is the 20" barrel too short for black powder cartridges
2.  Does the 20" barrel fire as accurately at longer distances as the 30" barrel?
3.  How well does the 30" barrel fare in side match distance contests?
Thanks,
Arkiebob

1. I shoot a 20", Rossi '94 in 45 Colt for CAS. I shot BP loads out of it and have had excellent results on the longer targets. But, I'd be lucky beat anyone of equal ability in a 100 yard match if they are using a 30" barreled rifle in a "Rifle Caliber".

2. No. The longer sight radius of a 30" barrel, the longer barrel and the higher velocity of the 30" will all conspire to give better accuracy at distance (assuming the shooter can shoot).

3. What caliber? See 2.


Bruce