Effective range?

[Russ T Frizzen]

We used the Ithaca Model 37.

 

[faw3]

"Ithaca" thanks dont know how I forgot, old brain. Much thanks :bow: Fred :hatsoff:

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. Frizzen,
So did we. Standard issue for every PBR Gun Boat. Very comforting to have in hand when searching a Junk or SanPan.
Best Wishes

 

[faw3]

I'll get around to seeing just how good my 62/20 works out to 50 and 100 with a scope Im not feeling great today, but went out to try to line the scope up with what my sights are set for at 50 yds, well I tryed 1 shot at 100 with the scope for the heck of it and it hit desd center but didnt wipeout my 3 Hawken shots, it was 37" LOW :rotf: fred :hatsoff:

 

[WV_Hillbilly]

Well Longbow, now these guys have me confused. Having been on this forum a couple of years now, I'd gotten the impression that most smoothbore shooters would be very pleased with 50 yard groups of 3-4 inches. Now the consensus seems to be "shoots like a rifle to 75 yards". I'd be very disappointed in a rifle that couldn't do better than 3" at fifty. So it sounds like some smoothbores must become more accurate past fifty and then fall off again past 75.

Coyote Joe,

I hope I haven't left you (or others) with the impression that ALL smoothbores will shoot like rifles (or better!) at ranges up to 75-100yds. Many of my comments were specifically about breechloading smoothbore shotguns (versus "rifled" shotguns). I got OFF-TOPIC with that, but was trying to make a generalization that I maybe should have best stayed away from. Personally, I could never get my "best" smoothbore to shoot much better than 6-8" at 75 yards. Some of the smoothbore shooting experts have very precise loading techniques that most shooters wouldn't care to bother with. Their equipment is typically not what most of us have and those guns are strictly for target use with PRBs.

I suspect my zeal was punctuated by the fact that I just been to the N-SSA Nationals, and as always, am overwhelmed by the accuracy of the smoothbore shooters. There may not be a substitute for a good shooter, but having lots of finances for buying better equipment sure can help!

Again, I apologize is I left you with a false impression about smoothbore accuracy. Since I've had so many different muzzleloaders over the years, I've had rifles that really would not shoot better than some smoothbores. I guess it's like doing a comparison between the best shooting smoothbores and the worst shooting rifles. The end results are all that matters, and not whether the ball had any spin on it. Still... if a gun (rifled or smooth) will shoot 6-8" (offhand) at 100yds... well, that's good enough for whitetail deer.

Regards, and shoot safely!
WV_Hillbilly

 

[CoyoteJoe]

No appology needed Hillbilly, I understood you were speaking of modern shotguns and exotic ammo. I also have a Winchester pump with rifle sights on a smoothbore that will group into 6" at 100 yards with its' favorite brand of slug. I was hoping to draw out some secrets from those who do get exceptional results from their ML smoothbores and patched roundballs.
What sort of accuracy were you seeing from those champs?