.50 cal smooth bore for hunting?

[Ken Morrison]

How useful is the 50 caliber smooth bore for hunting. I'd guess small game only.
Hunt safely.

 

[tg]

A .50 cal smoothbore long gun will be as good as a .50 rifle as long as you can hit what you aim at, the effective range is generaly less (accuracy wise) with a smoothbore than with a rifle.

 

[Ken Morrison]

TG,
I'm wondering about it's use with shot. I should have mentioned that in the first post.
Good shooting.

 

[Rebel]

Should be comparable to a .410.

 

[tg]

you can shoot more shot in a .50 ML than a cartridge shotgun of a similar bore but the longer shot string may not be the best pattern, probably only good for small game rather close. the .410 is probably close only with more shot.

 

[PreglerD]

I use a original "poor boy" long gun in cal. 50, converted from flint to cap for hunting. With .495 PRB and 60 grs of WANO PPP I get at 30 meters 1'' groups and at 50 m 2,5'' groups with 3 shots. I also use the gun with shot. Then I load 60 grs WANO PPP, 10 mm lubed wad, 308 grs 2,5 mm shot and again a 3 mm lubed wad.Works good up to 25 meters at ducks, croes and other small gane.