.32 cal Smoothbore

[Bomberman]

I recently picked up a .32 cal barrel at an auction and decided to make a squirrel gun with it. I took it to a local black powder store to see about having it rifled and was advised that it could be done but for the price I could buy a new barrel already rifled. The owner then suggested that I just use it as a smoothbore. So the question I have is would it be accurate enough to hit a squirrel sized critter at normal hunting distances without the rifling using a PRB?

 

[Spikebuck]

Guess there's only one way to find out! Patch up a RB and give it a try!

 

[Grizzled Roberts]

It might carry a little further than you think. I would bet it would be accurate at least to 30-40 yards with a good rear sight. Perhaps much better with a good rear sight.

 

[nkbj]

Is there a hardened shot size that would work?
Was thinking that maybe a hard shot would stay spherical for you better and have less tendency to veer off.

 

[nkbj]

6% Sb. Yep, #1 or # 1 1/2 buck looks pretty good!

 

[Bomberman]

Is there a hardened shot size that would work?
Was thinking that maybe a hard shot would stay spherical for you better and have less tendency to veer off.

I cast my own balls and bullets so that will be part of the load workup...try different levels of hardness to see which one performs better.

 

[razorbritches]

here is a .30 cal smoothie that likes roundball just fine

 

[Bomberman]

Now that's what I'm talking about...thanks for the picture. Awesome!

 

[Deadeye]

At squirrel distances and even beyond it will be as accurate as you are. Deadeye

 

[torn moc]

OH Yes....