Favorite gauge

[Magungo1066]

What is everyone's favorite smoothbore gauge and why? Just interested. Had my new 24 gauge out today and was shooting up a storm. Could not be happier. I like the idea of maybe a 16, or 12 gauge, dedicated turkey gun someday. I also see a lot of people that like 28 gauge or smaller.

 

[griffiga]

For me it’s not so much the gauge as the gun. I have several originals from .32 gauge up to 11, but my favorite is my Navy Arms 12 made back in the early 70’s by Pedersoli. It feels like a 20 gauge, but shoots like a 12. That being said, and in answer to your question, I have to say if I could have only one, it would be a 20 ga. because of how it swings as compared to the game it is capable of shooting.

 

[TNGhost]

Depends on what I am using it for. 12 gauge is certainly the all around choice, 10 gives you an edge with waterfowl, particularly geese, and a nice light well balanced 20 or so is a joy to tote for partridge, etc.

 

[Carbon 6]

.410

 

[Flanders]

.62

 

[TNGhost]

.410

Yep, now there's a traditional muzzleloading caliber if there ever was one.

 

[flinter1977]

The only one I have 62. Hope to connect with a deer this month.

 

[Lonegun1894]

I have two, a 28ga and a 13ga. But it really depends on what I'm doing. The 28ga is a smoothrifle, and weighs about 9#, so I use it as a rifle mostly with PRB, but occasionally load it with shot for rabbits and squirrel and such. The 13ga is a lightweight SxS, so gets the wing shooting duties.

 

[jlatz]

I use a 15 ga. Belgian original double. Load it with 2 1/2 drams and an ounce of shot and it is great to use. An auction site had what they called a 12 ga. original Greener double. When it came I put a 12 ga. wad in it. Nope, it was a 10 ga. I hadn't thought much about having a 10, but now it happened. Taking it to the range and loading it like a 12, 2 3/4 drams and an ounce and 1/8th it turned into a fun gun.

 

[mushka]

For me it's the 20 gauge. I have a 62/20 smooth bore rifle and a 20 gauge fowler. Both are flint locks. I can shoot the smooth rifle better with RB's, but the fowler is a different ball game. I think I'll just shoot the fowler with shot.

 

[Robby]

16, just cuz.
Robby

 

[Crow-Feather]

!0 gauge. It does everything.

 

[Carbon 6]

Yep, now there's a traditional muzzleloading caliber if there ever was one.

OP asked what my favorite was. Not what was most traditional. If you ever get a chance to hunt with a muzzleloading .410, take it.

Many "traditional" gauges were large, because the game was large. or the flocks were large.

 

[TNGhost]

OP asked what my favorite was. Not what was most traditional. If you ever get a chance to hunt with a muzzleloading .410, take it.

Many "traditional" gauges were large, because the game was large. or the flocks were large.

Since you are always the first one to harassingly point out to others that this is a traditional muzzleloading forum, I suggest you take your own advice, as the .410 is a completely modern caliber and does not deserve comment here. It was not even mentioned until after the muzzleloading era, in 1895 with the advent of smokeless powder, and was not introduced into the U.S. until 1907 in cartridge form.

If you want to talk about it, take it to the Non Muzzleloading Discussion section. It does not belong here.

Of course you'll have to pony up first and become a paying member.

 

[ppg1949]

TNGhost, I’m not trying to argue your point but I have seen and handled traditional Belgium made muzzleloaders listed as .410 and even 9mm smoothbores. If they were listed as a .41 and .38 caliber smoothbore it would be the no different. If the .41 & .38 calibers called by a different name don’t fall within the parameters of this forum then a moderator should step in. Thank you.

 

[Carbon 6]

Since you are always the first one to harassingly point out to others that this is a traditional muzzleloading forum, I suggest you take your own advice, as the .410 is a completely modern caliber and does not deserve comment here. It was not even mentioned until after the muzzleloading era, in 1895 with the advent of smokeless powder, and was not introduced into the U.S. until 1907 in cartridge form.

If you want to talk about it, take it to the Non Muzzleloading Discussion section. It does not belong here.

Of course you'll have to pony up first and become a paying member.

Let's let Zonie decide that, He's the moderator, let's see what he makes of your post.

 

[hanshi]

I'm not picky. My only one is a .62 flintlock cylinder bored. I like the .62 because it does great with that 330 grain ball and shot. It's not too small and it's not too big; it's just right!

 

[Bob McBride]

I agree with the guys saying it’s about your quarry. In modern stuff as well as BP I have a 20, 12, 28, and couldn’t do without any of them. Big birds and high birds get the 12, small fast ones and Crow usually get the 20, and when I feel like a challenge Doves, Pigeons, Starlings, and those Brit Sparrows get the 28.

 

[Zonie]

From what I can find on the web, the .410 shotgun was first made in England around 1874 By Eley Brothers. Other sources say it was a German gun around 1910.

In any case, between the years 1987 and 1989, CVA offered a .410, double barrel percussion shotgun for sale.
The Muzzleloading Forum even has a post on it that talks about it.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/cva-double-barrel-in-410-gauge.35286/
Bottom line? The .410 bore muzzleloading shotgun is fair game for discussion on the forum.

 

[Kansas Kid]

I like my 24ga NW type gun. I lean towards smaller and lighter guns that use less resources. What barrel brand is yours?