ROTFL! I also do a lot of hunting with an Early Virginia longrifle, which sports a 42" barrel. My 24" bbl lever gun is as "light and handy" as I could ever wish for. The 20" carbine is for my wife and boys.yes, the 24" tube gets a bit cumbersome in the field.
Hey how do you load for that 200 grain boolit? I've got a Lyman 195 grain RN that does well over Lil' Gun, except in my lever actions. A) I'm a bit hesitant to put RNs in the tube magazine B) I thought the rifling twist was too slow and didn't get great accuracy. Don't know what the twists are, but they don't make a full turn in the barrel.