Don't want to get into one of C. Numb's p!$$!ng contests, but as to the original subject, here's my 2c and that's what it's worth. There is evidence that trappers of the fur trade era definitely distinguished between "fusees" and "rifles". For instance, in Osborne Russell's "Journal Of A Trapper" [
link], he mentions "rifle" 55 times and "fusee" 12 times. In each case the fusee is the inaccurate smoothbore gun (typically wielded by the indian), and the rifle is the superior [rifled; duh] weapon.
I agree, pissing contest have a better chance of getting one banned from many forums and they seldom reach an understanding.
However, in my opinion based on allot of years of shooting muzzle loaders, trying to decide or to convince others which is the better tool, a rifle or a smoothbore long gun is mostly an exercise in futility.
Both do a good job depending on what that job is, it's been said that a smoothbore musket, fusee, fusil, trade gun, (call it what you will} is a poor substitute for a rifle, and that a rifle is a poor choice for a smoothbore, I own and shoot both and I can honestly say that I enjoy shooting both types.
A good quality M/L rifle is capable of great accuracy at much longer ranges than any smoothbore, so in that respect it has the advantage over a smoothbore.
A good quality smoothbore is quite capable of shooting shot with great patterns out to 40 yds on average, something that most rifles are incapable of doing as the rifling damages the shot pellets and imparts a spin on the shot as it travels down the rifles bore, as it exits the muzzle the shot spins wildly in all directions ruining any prospect for a pattern needed for hitting a target with any consistency.
However, were I be put in a position where I needed to hunt small or large game in order to survive and had my choice of firearm I'd choose a smoothbore every time without a doubt.
I have several custom flintlock rifles that I can consistently hit an 18" steel gong with at 200 yds. but not one of them will consistently bring down an upland game bird flying by me at any range, nor will they handle shot loads at any range.
My smoothbore French Fusils are quite capable with a proper load and a patched round ball of taking down any animal in North America within 50 yds. and can take down any bird on the wing out to about the same distance with a load of lead shot.
Which is the best, that's a very subjective question and one that should be left up to the individual shooter to answer for him/her self.
