Expected accuracy with 62 caliber smoothbore?

[jrell5678]

Just wanted to get the take with some of the experienced members here. Assuming I get the ball and patch combo right, can I expect it to be accurate out to 60 yards, at least for deer-sized game?

 

[waksupi]

Short answer, yes. The more you shoot the gun, the more accurate YOU will get.

 

[rchas]

I am still experimenting with loads, but right now I can get 3-4 inch groups at 50 yards with 70 grains of 2f, .600 ball and .015 patch.

 

[griffiga]

At 50 yards, I can keep all of my shots from a .69 Charlesville musket on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper provided I don't have a severe hang fire. I would think the .600 ball could do at least that good.

 

[Walkingeagle]

My buddy and I both use .575 balls with .025 patching and spit lube in our 20g smoothies (.62 cal). They are quite easy to load. Although I cannot remember the group size at 50 yds, we (mostly he) both do quite well with the trail walk targets (reactive steel plates suspended by chains). In fact he has shot many times without dropping a single target and won many events as well. This while shooting against very skilled folks and their rifled barrels.
So, yes they can shoot. Only question is, can you? Lol
Walk

 

[griffiga]

My buddy and I both use .575 balls with .025 patching and spit lube in our 20g smoothies (.62 cal). They are quite easy to load. Although I cannot remember the group size at 50 yds, we (mostly he) both do quite well with the trail walk targets (reactive steel plates suspended by chains). In fact he has shot many times without dropping a single target and won many events as well. This while shooting against very skilled folks and their rifled barrels.
So, yes they can shoot. Only question is, can you? Lol
Walk

I find that 98% of the time when I miss a target, it's an error between the ground and the gun!

 

[Walkingeagle]

I find that 98% of the time when I miss a target, it's an error between the ground and the gun!

Now that is funny!!
Walk

 

[griffiga]

Now that is funny!!
Walk

Funny but true!

 

[Brokennock]

Simple answer is yes.

But, it nay take a lot of load development, a willingness to throw conventional "wisdom" out the window, and good shooting practices on your part to ensure your are testing each load properly.
Also, it may not be a patched ball that provides best grouping from your particular smoothbore barrel.

 

[hanshi]

With prb I can expect 50 yard 3-shot under 3". With my bare ball load I get groups not all that much larger.

 

[griffiga]

With prb I can expect 50 yard 3-shot under 3". With my bare ball load I get groups not all that much larger.

I would think and any respectable smoothbore with the proper load would shoot minute of deer at 50-60 yards.

 

[Billy Boy]

Just wanted to get the take with some of the experienced members here. Assuming I get the ball and patch combo right, can I expect it to be accurate out to 60 yards, at least for deer-sized game?

Deer sized game is as big as a paper plate. I can keep all my shots on that target most all the time at 50 yds. often kinda centered. All of my workup with a .62 smoothie showed that my best result was with a stout load - 100 to 110 gr 2f or RS. A fouling shot seemed to be more important here than with
a rifle.

 

[springfield art]

Short answer, yes. The more you shoot the gun, the more accurate YOU will get.

I agree.

 

[tenngun]

Mine, 62 Centermark
I’m proud of this but this is poor compared to what some boys get with their smoothies50 yards left PRB right tow wad

 

[pab1]

The biggest improvement in accuracy with my .62 came from using an over powder nitro card and lubed cushion wad. I believe I picked this up from Bob Spencer's site. Prior to that I was using a patched round ball directly over the powder with mediocre results.

This may seem goofy to some but I make extensive notes on my targets when I find something that works. As my interests drift from one gun to another I might not come back to a gun for years. Notes (and even illustrations) help me pick up where I left off instead of wasting powder and lead reinventing the wheel.

This day was just one shot at 25, 50 and 75 yards. The targets are 10.5"X12". All the shots would be through the lights of a deer. I tried two shots at 100 yards but the ball dropped just below the edge of the paper. My gun has a rear sight which helps with accuracy.

Instead of using a marker I used the remains of old stick on targets to create an inverted triangle. I find it much easier to hold consistently on the point of a triangle than on a circle. The left and right pull on the 50 and 75 yard targets was me. I was about 3" above my point of aim on both shots.

My small game round ball load for this gun is accurate enough at typical small game distances using a patched round ball over powder. I worked up a small game load for this gun in 2020. This is the only gun I've worked up a light, small game load for that didn't have the same point of impact out to about 30 yards as my heavier big game load. After adjusting the rear sight I put two shots in the head on this target.

Verifying the accuracy of this load a couple weeks ago. Thinner patch and 3F powder for the main charge but the results are the same.

 

[Snapshot in Norway]

I am still experimenting with loads, but right now I can get 3-4 inch groups at 50 yards with 70 grains of 2f, .600 ball and .015 patch.

I am willing to bet that it boils down to taste and the gun in question! But my pet load for my fusil de chasse .62cal. is 75 grain FFg a .600 RB and .0020 patch. spit or moose milk is good. If I am to carry for a while I can use grease to.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I would think and any respectable smoothbore with the proper load would shoot minute of deer at 50-60 yards.

I have an American Fowler that I can keep under 8” at 80 yrds. So yeah…minute of deer works great

 

[wattlebuster]

I cant speak for a 20 but I have a couple 12 ga. Once you find what yours likes to digest 50 an 60 yds should be no problem. Fg powder seems to help my shot and ball loads. My turkey gun has a back sight which helps or at least helps me.

 

[hanshi]

Wattle, that is some real good shootin' you're doing. Best accuracy in my smoothbore is with prb but just the ball with wads is deer worthy. Here's two targets to compare; one with prb and the other with no patch, only wads. Unpatched ball is quite accurate but with occasional minor fliers. Both of these were shot at 50 yards. I have a bunch of other similar targets but no photos of them.