Need Help choosing a smoothbore

[rogger]

I'm wanting to try hunting with a smoothbore, my question is this and I'm sure this has been gone over many times before. Should I get a single barrel or double barrel, what are the pros and cons? I'm thinking about a 16 gauge,again what are your thoughts? Currently I hunt with a .54 Renegade, just want to expand my horizons. Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks. Roger

 

[BrownBear]

Kinda depends on what you'll be hunting. If I'm wing shooting I want a double. If big game with RB's is on your menu, there likely would be a range advantage to going with a single, even sights for a "smooth rifle" if you feel you need them.

As for a double, I'd focus on a 20 if it's mostly upland game. Add waterfowl to the list, and a 12 or even a 10 would get the nod.

One gun for everything? Lotta guys here are real happy with 20 gauge (62 cal) fowlers. Fewer with the larger gauges including 16, but those folks are real happy too.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I went with a single barrel as I can also use it for deer. NY frowns on double barrel during the m/l season for large game.

Can't see much for a few seconds after the shot anyway. Lighter to carry, as well.

 

[cynthialee]

many states have single barrel restrictions for hunting purposes

 

[rogger]

I live in the Socialist Republic of New Jersey so only single barrels for big game. I will mostly hunt small game with it as I have a .54 Renegade for deer. Just wnted some ideas and preference as to single barrel vs double, I've heard that sometimes on double barrel the load in the second barrel will move once the first barrel is fired.

 

[Dave K]

Since you already have a 54 cal. rifle, I would go with a 16ga. SxS. Though I have many SxS shotguns,my usual perc. gun is a 14ga. SxS that I use for anything with wings. My other gun is an 18ga. SxS flint that gets the same use. Just depends if I want to use perc. or flint that day. I am so used to shooting a SxS, I see absolutely NO down side to a SxS, I see only the upside of that second shot on doves, turkeys or what ever. Getting doubles on doves is still very rewarding to me! You can see my SxS 14ga. in the hunting section about turkey hunting. If your components properly fit, the 2nd barrel load will not shift. Never, ever assume that a gun marked 20 ga. or any ga. tells you that it takes a certain size of components. All guns seem to be a little different in sizing and your gun marked 12ga. may actually be better with 13 or even 14ga. components.

 

[tenngun]

the story of shot moving in the other barrel comes from using just one barrel over and over. A right handed shooter tends to shoot right barrel over and over until a second shot is needed then the left shot moved. I was very careful rabbit hunting with a double 35 years ago to shoot 1st right then left. if you get a double just be careful to never fire one barrel twice in a row. That said I like just one barrel I think you'll find a Fowler or fusil a fun gun,shoot a deer,rabbit,turkey,and if your a better shot then me(not very hard)you can shoot Quial duck ect :thumbsup:

 

[Britsmoothy]

I have never had a load shift.
I do make my punches .030" over size minimum!

I do also make sure the less chosen barrel is fired at regular intervals.

Don't worry about it :thumbsup:

Brits.