Muzzle velocity question(s)

[ARperson]

I am looking into getting another muzzle loader for hunting season. Currently have an Omego in .50 cal (which wife has adopted). For caliber consistency, I'm leaning towards staying with .50 cal and was considering the CVA Optima (not the Optima Pro). My local dealer has the 26" model in stock, but I was wondering if going with the 29" would be better from a velocity/trajectory standpoint.

What, if any, differences could I expect from the longer barrel? FWIW, I will likely be shooting saboted rounds, if that affects anything. And nothing farther than 200-250 yards.

 

[Mark whiz]

200yds for a muzzleloader is the outside edge of the envelop...............and IMHO probably not the most ethical of shots to take. 150yds is my personal max distance - and there would have to be a GOOD reason for even trying that.

In your shoes, I'd go ahead & get the 26" barrel..........those other 3" will never really be noticed. There is a curve of diminishing returns on barrel length vs black powder - much different than that of centerfire/smokeless powder firearms.

 

[redneck]

Most sabots seem to use pistol bullets and probably won't hold together the way they're supposed to at the velocities you might get if you managed to burn every last bit of those 150 grains of powder. Thats up close, at long range, being short fat hollowpoints they probably don't have much oomph left.
I'd stick with loading for the best accuracy and keep ranges more typical for a muzzle loader like mark said.
Doubt that the exta length would matter a whole lot unless it increases sight radius, or improves the balance of the gun. I personally find my GPR with its 32" barrel balances quite nicely but thats a whole different animal from an inline.