I'm considering purchasing a T/C 50 cal. muzzleloader barrel for either the G2 Contender or Encore frames. The Encore barrel is approximately 2" longer and therefore heavier. The Contender barrel seems to handle better and would make the gun lighter overall. How will that 2" affect performance (velocity) if I opt for the shorter barrel?
Any other feedback from real shooters is appreciated: so far I only have salesmen opinions and none of them shoot either...
but claim that longer is the way to go.

The only one I know that has the G2 .50 barrel is Randy Wakeman. He has also owned .50 Encore so probably has chrono data for both. And he aint too hard to find.

I own both in .45 caliber, both nice rifles but the G2 is just a wonderful little carry rifle. Have to keep it loaded light though, otherwise it kicks the stuffin' out of me.

quality of barrel is number one . you dont say how long the barrels are.. if its 24 and its going to be 22 thats short.. if its 42 and its going to be 40 its not any difference. i have a 24 inch 50 cal flint factory gun in what probably is a traditions, shot a 2 7/8 inch group(with bench rest) at 100 yards last time out(after a good steel woooling for several days between range tests to get the sharp edges off the lands).. i have a 30 inch barreled pennsylvania match made by tc with a goodien barrel.. shot like a house afire until i shot my ramrod and put a bulge at the first dovetail.. 200 dollar barrel, ouch.. 30 inch is great in strait octagon, 5o cal, 42 inch swamped is better, 24 inch in 50 cal and 70 grains powder is great packing gun, and will shoot fine if your an experienced shooter.. weight per caliber will give accuracy, too little weight lends to a hard to hold gun, throw in recoil and slow barrel time of black powder and you need more experience to shoot heavy recoil guns.. i dont put the .50 as a heavey recoiling gun.. short barrels dont utilize heavey loads very well either. if you have unburnt powder your not going to get max velocity for the heavier loads, so for instance i dropped the powder charge from 80 to 70 grains in the 24 inch 50 cal barrel becouse the increased fouling didnt seem to warrent the more velocity.. twist rate and velocity, and fouling coupled with your shooting conditions will warrent what amount and what type of poweder you will use to get the best accuracy.. if your gun requires a large load for some reason to stabilize at the range your shooting at, a short barrel will not be to your advantage... if your traveling on foot for long distnaces to shoot big game at 50 yards, then the longer heavier barrel will not be in your best interest.. .. so i havent helped much have i? best thing to do is to do the best you can, buy one try it out, and when you get so old you cant see, cant carry, cant walk youl probably have the perfect gun , in the closet,,.. i personally have two flintlock rifles, a light 24 inch barreled .50 that shoots 70 grains 2fg,,,and a 9 pound .62 that shoots 110 grains 2fg.. . works for me.. i may trade in the 24 inch .50 for a 6 1/2 pound swamped barreled 42 inch longstock one day if i ever get around to it... ... dave..

quote:

How will that 2" affect performance (velocity) if I opt for the shorter barrel?

Not enough to concern yourself with - get the barrel length that handles best for you.

You loose 15 ft per second for every inch cut short .If you can't handle the weight stay off the porch !

TC has a false mussle for ease of loading... so effective length is actually shorter.