Barrel questions

[Habu]

Contemplating a new build, solely as a hunting gun.  Currently I'm using a .54 cal and have no complaints, but I'm starting to think I want a larger bore--probably 20 gauge or larger.

Problems seem to center around my near-total lack of knowledge of large-bore rifles.  To get decent accuracy at say >1,600 fps at the muzzle, what twist rate do I want?  Has anyone dealt with Oregon Barrel Company?  It looks like they might be a source for some of the larger bores, if the barrels have a good reputation.

Still haven't decided flint vs. percussion, if flint I'll probably build a Jaeger, if percussion an English sporting rifle.  Any other designs I should consider?

Thanks

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I have a .60 cal jaeger flintlock.  Twist 1:66"  For hunting, I load 100 grains of FFg with the 305 grain ball.  Can't say what velocity I get, and believe neither the moose nor I care.  How dead do they need to be?
I had a .62 cal Hawken that I sold in a weak moment.  Twist 1:72" IIRC.   I shot 120 grains of FFg with that one.  Many deer and black bears, but no moose.
The only moose to perish from a ball out of my gun, was from a Brown Bess .75 cal. smooth bored.   I shot 100 grains of FFg and a .735" ball and the moose died in sight of where I fired the shot...in fact 15 yds. away from where it had been standing. 

[Habu]

Thanks!  Mostly, I'm looking at velocity here as a crude estimate of trajectory.  I figure I'd like to have a 125 yard rifle; 1,600 fps should give me a flat enough trajectory to do that. 

I don't recall ever shooting a .62 cal Hawken, but in a fit of insanity did shoot a .69.  Three or four times, loaded by someone who apparently lost his powder measure and substituted a coffee cup . . .   I'm not sure I'd care to repeat the experience with that stock design!  That said, in the right stock a .69 would probably suit me. 

I've shot enough round ball from a Bess, and after today have shot .735 balls from my 11 gauge double.  Recoil in the double was far less objectionable (thought the "twist" of the gun when firing was a bit disconcerting).  Load today was the same as yours: 100 grains FFg and a patched .735" ball. 

The only time it was really uncomfortable was when I pulled both triggers as an experiment.  I had my left hand wrapped around the barrels, the heat and slap was uncomfortable.  I need to get a leather hand guard on there before shooting it much. 

[Lucky R A]

       I have a .62 cal. English Sporting rifle, half stock in flint.  It has a 34" Orion barrel that likes a .610 ball.  I have a 55 gr. (2f) powder measure.  For the mountain man and woods walk I use one measure of powder.  At the longer ranges I use two (110 gr.)  I use the 110 gr. load for hunting.  It seems to kill critters and steel with authority.  Of late I have been shooting a little .45 Bedford.  I score as high or higher on the shoots, and it kills deer sized critters just as dead.  Shot placement is more important calibre, unless you are going after big critters that can do you harm.  Then you shoot to stop the action, and keep shooting until the action has stopped!