45-70 heavy, bull, or tapered?

[gpopp]

Just ordered my first Encore frame in SS from a local shop and am planning on getting a barrel online in 45-70 stainless.  I have an eight year old contender in 44mag w/ factory brake and like it except for noise and muzzle blast.  My question is should I spring for a heavier bull barrel or custom heavy barrel over the factory tapered barrel in 15"?  I've shot a contender in 45-70 w/ the 405gr factory loads and thought it was somewhat intimidating, but not unmanagable.  I do not want a brake of any sort, but thought the heavier barrel might help at the range.  My purpose for this barrel is Wisconsin deer and range shooting out to a max of 100yds.  Let me know your thoughts or opinions.

[KN]

I have a custom shop 450 barrel in an 18" full bull configuration. Ballistically it would be identical to a 45/70. I like shootimg full house loads in mine and I like the extra weight. I also have mine ported. Shooting a 500gr Hornady JSP I once put 3rds inside of 3" at 200yds. I could not see where they were hitting until I went out to the target. At 100meters I have shoot sub MOA groups on several occasions. I have used the barrel as both a pistol and carbine and can shoot it much better as a pistol than I can as a rifle. Too much punishing recoil as a rifle.  KN

[bigbore442001]

For hunting, I'd go with the factory tapered barrel. The added wieght of the bull will be a pain if you do a lot of walking, still hunting. If most of the shooting will be off a bench or if you hunt mostly out of a treestand or box blind, then the heavier barrels wouldn't be as much of an issue.

[jeff]

I am curious.

Can I assume that there isn't a problem (NFA) with a pistol barrel over 16"?

TIA

jeff

[jeff]

Chris

Thanks for the clairification.  

I think I've got it streight now.