.54 Caliber 28 Gauge verses .62 Caliber 20 Gauge

[akapennypincher]

In the Market for a NEW Smoothbore but debating .54 Caliber 28 Gauge verses .62 Caliber 20 Gauge.


purpose

Plinking

Target Shooting

Primitive Shooting Matches

Rendezvous

 

[Roy]

for mainly shooting round ball I would most likely go with a .54.... ofcourse this is after I just ordered a .62 barrel :youcrazy: :haha:

 

[CoyoteJoe]

There really isn't all that much difference. The standard black powder shot loads were 3/4 ounce in the 28 and 7/8 ounce in the 20, both can be loaded heavier but that is the relative difference for shot loads. With ball, a .530 ball weighs about 220-224 grains while a .600 ball goes about 320-325 grains. You can pick up .530" balls at most gun stores, .600's are not at all easy to find. I have one of each, a 28 and a 20 and don't see much difference with shot loads but with ball the 20 has a lot more recoil and is more expensive to shoot.

 

[Le Grand]

pennypincher, If you can't decide between a 28 gauge or a 20 gauge, the best thing to do would be to go with a 24 gauge. That's the same as .58 caliber and it's very good with either shot loads or with round ball. There, see how easy that was? Le Grand

 

[akapennypincher]

pennypincher, If you can't decide between a 28 gauge or a 20 gauge, the best thing to do would be to go with a 24 gauge. That's the same as .58 caliber and it's very good with either shot loads or with round ball. There, see how easy that was? Le Grand

Another Great Idea :thumbsup:

 

[tg]

I would also split the difference I had smoothies in .54, .58 and .62 I like the .58 is the best of all you can plink around with .535 balls and thicker patching, it has a little shorter shot string than the .54, the .62 is good if ya need more whomp and more shot.

 

[B.Habermehl]

The .28 ga. makes a better round ball gun. Less recoil, plus .535 round balls are much easier to buy at gun shops. 20 guage balls would be real tough to buy unless you live near a store that specialises in muzzloading like Dixon's here in eastern Pa. Of course if you plan to cast your own then availability is not as big a deal. My own smoothie ia a 28 guage, I built around a Mold and Gun shop barrel and a Chambers Golden age lock. To say that I a bit partial twards it is a understatement. I regularly beat up on the rifle shooters at our club on woods walks with it :grin: , plus it works great with shot.

 

[Rod Lassey]

What kind of smoothbore? 24 guage was the more or less standard Northwest gun bore, historically speaking.

Rod

 

[Leonredbeard]

Trust Me,
He not only beats up on us rifle shooters when he's shooting, but also when he is carrying the score sheet! Haw! Hhaaaww!
volatpluvia

 

[B.Habermehl]

SHHHHHH..... Don't tell everybody my secrets :wink:
To the fellows who don't know me, I have a bit of a reputation of setting up rather diabolical wooodswalks

 

[Leonredbeard]

Snicker! :bow: :surrender: :bow: :shocked2:
volatpluvia

 

[Coot]

Like they say, it depends. What are you planning to shoot? Round ball, shot or both? I went with a 20 bore as a reasonable choice for both ball & shot. For ball only, .54 should be plenty & cheaper & less recoil than the .62. For shot, .54 may be a bit light. Nice to have choices isn't it?

 

[akapennypincher]

Decided on a .54 Cal/28Gauge :thumbsup:

 

[roundball]

Decided on a .54 Cal/28Gauge :thumbsup:

I have a .54cal GM Flint smoothbore barrel in a TC Hawken stock...I get my best rifle-like accuracy from it at the 50yds I zeroed it using Hornady .520" balls with .018" pillow ticking...