For me, my patent breech rifles have hooked breeches - even the one with the 48" bl. and full stock. It has 4 keys holding the barrel on.
It's almost as easy to clean my pinned barrel (.36 Squirrel Rifle) as it is the long one - no wait - it's actually easier to clean, as the .36 only has a 38" bl.
If cleaning a barrel, I prefer to get it clean. I have used the plug the vent and pour water in, let it sit a bit, flush it out and repeat - however, actually removing the barrel and cleaning it as previously described, is faster than the vent-lugging, wiping, wiping, wiping wiping etc, etc until it's clean method.
As well, it only takes 4 or 5 patches to clean to bore spotlessly, dry and oil oil it. You KNOW it's clean with No residual fouling in any crack, crook or cranny, patent breech or flat.