What Length For A Fifty

[Spitunia]

A project in the works...
An old cracked and banged up flinter Renegade stock is being reworked. After the busted cross section of the lock area is fixed, a buffalo horn nose cap and butt plate are being fitted. My plan is to give it a .50 bore smooth barrel that goes from octagonal to round. And to use my 1/2" punch to make shot wads. To use the .465" round ball mold for patched ball.
That said, any yall worked with small bore smoothies much? I'm wondering about what barrel length may work best. The 1" octagonal breech area ought to make for substantial strength, so should be able to toss a healthy load of shot.
What say ye on barrel length?

[Missionary]

Good morning
After 38" there is not much velocity gain with a longer barrel.  Depending on powder charges of course the longer 40" + barrels only add to sight radias and balance.   My caliber.62 is a 38" and I am very pleased with it.  But then I am 5-9 and shrinking. 
Mike in Peru

[Hanshi]

My favorite barrel length for smoothbores and rifles is 38".  Easy to handle and ballistically efficient.

[wattlebuster]

I love the feel an balance of 38 inch barrels. Both my Haines have them an Im going to have a 38 inch early virginia 58 cal built this coming spring. so I wholeheartedly recommend to you a 38 inch barrel