I think I know the answer to this but I need some validation.
I have a 6" smoothbore pistol barrel, .50 caliber, octagon to round.maybe 3/4' at the breech. Is there any good reason why the breechplug needs to be 5/8" of an inch long? I'm using a "Becky" lock and there is NO room for my rear lock bolt at all,and touchole placement even with a direct drilled vent is poor. If i shortend the plug and rebreached the barrel to maybe less than a half inch it would work.
Now how short is too short? we are talking about a barrel which when fired will only have a charge of maybe 25 grains or so of powder patched loosely.
Thanks in advance, Alex E.