I've been shooting rifled (1:66") muzzle loaders (caplock & flintlock w/roundball) for a while, but never ventured into smoothbore. I do have a question. How accurate is a smoothbore? I mean, I'm all for a true historical look and feel, but I'm also about practicality of use.
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Never owned a smoothbore and...
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Hey Preacher, I don't think I quite understand your comment, it's cut off. Are you saying you would never own one because it's impractical?
There have been some really good discussion recently concerning smoothbores and their effectiveness and authenticity. you don't have to look too far back to find 'em.
For my two cents, I anguished over a rifle barreled gun and a smooth rifle, but finally settled on the smooth rifle due to its ability to shoot shot. I get the look and feel of a rifle with the practicality of a smoothbore. it's very well documented, and all I give up is a few yards of maximum effective range.
There have been some really good discussion recently concerning smoothbores and their effectiveness and authenticity. you don't have to look too far back to find 'em.
For my two cents, I anguished over a rifle barreled gun and a smooth rifle, but finally settled on the smooth rifle due to its ability to shoot shot. I get the look and feel of a rifle with the practicality of a smoothbore. it's very well documented, and all I give up is a few yards of maximum effective range.
Preacher said:
Get to know the limitations of the gun, staying within those limitations and a smoothbore is a joy to shoot and hunt with...
Talk about practicality, a smoothbore is more versatile than a rifle, it can shoot both ball and shot, not making it specialized for one game species only...
Musketman is so right, a smoothbore is versatile. If you should get one I don't think you would be sorry! :v
Thomas
Thomas
pathfinderifh
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Musketman said:
Best answer I've heard :thumbsup: When I go shoot,either target or hunting, I always grab a smooth bore,Trade gun or smoothrifle.At our distances[less than a 100yds]and the style of shooting we do,they can't be beat,[unless your having a bad day,don't blame the gun! :cursing:]
I'm not saying that I would never own one...I just don't know anything about them. I like learn about things before I get into them. And you are right, I should be more clear with my questions.
1. What would be the max (effective) range of a smoothbore with ball? (also knowing that powder load and weight/size of ball play into effective range)
2. What would be the best grouping you would get at max effective range with a smoothbore and round ball?
I'm not the best shot in the world, but I'm no slouch. I feel good enough about my abilities to pick and choose equipment, based on it's performance. I don't say this to boast, but only to give you an idea where I am with my shooting ability. I've been a competative (Bull's eye) target shooter for a while...with mil spec rifle and pistol. Muzzle loaders have tught me a great deal about shooting, especialy taking my time with every shot. But smoothbore, this is something I'd like to try, but it's a very expensive thing to just walk into blindly, so I ask questions of those that know...which is all of you. :hatsoff: Thank you all for your time thus far.
Preacher
1. What would be the max (effective) range of a smoothbore with ball? (also knowing that powder load and weight/size of ball play into effective range)
2. What would be the best grouping you would get at max effective range with a smoothbore and round ball?
I'm not the best shot in the world, but I'm no slouch. I feel good enough about my abilities to pick and choose equipment, based on it's performance. I don't say this to boast, but only to give you an idea where I am with my shooting ability. I've been a competative (Bull's eye) target shooter for a while...with mil spec rifle and pistol. Muzzle loaders have tught me a great deal about shooting, especialy taking my time with every shot. But smoothbore, this is something I'd like to try, but it's a very expensive thing to just walk into blindly, so I ask questions of those that know...which is all of you. :hatsoff: Thank you all for your time thus far.
Preacher
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Mr. Preacher,
While there are many, more qualified to answer your question on this board, will present my two cents worth.
Militarily speaking, max effective range of the RB during its heyday was probably 800 to 1000yds; volley fire.
An individual's accuracy with aimed shots will vary with the individual and the particular firearm. Am quite certain you have experienced this yourself, with your firearms back ground. Same goes for group size for any given distance.
For many of us, 75yds is about the max we will take a shot at living game. However, there are a few on this board who are capable of taking game at distances in excess of 100yds with their smoothbore.
No disrespect is intended with my answer, just trying to summarize the general consensus as I understand it to be.
Best Wishes
While there are many, more qualified to answer your question on this board, will present my two cents worth.
Militarily speaking, max effective range of the RB during its heyday was probably 800 to 1000yds; volley fire.
An individual's accuracy with aimed shots will vary with the individual and the particular firearm. Am quite certain you have experienced this yourself, with your firearms back ground. Same goes for group size for any given distance.
For many of us, 75yds is about the max we will take a shot at living game. However, there are a few on this board who are capable of taking game at distances in excess of 100yds with their smoothbore.
No disrespect is intended with my answer, just trying to summarize the general consensus as I understand it to be.
Best Wishes
Do not expect rifle accuracy from a smoothbore or you will be very disappointed. If your intended purpose for the smoothbore is hunting with a roundball, and if you can keep shots on a 6" paper plate at 50 yards, you will be successful on most big game. There are some that claim to cloverleaf shots at 25 yards with a smoothbore. I salute them, I will never be that accurate. I look to hold about 2-3 inches at 25 yards and call it a good day, but that is my expectation. If your intention is to hunt with the smoothbore, I sincerly suggest that you limit your shots to 50 yards or less. The really nice thing about smoothbores is that you can hunt deer in the morning, and birds/small game in the afternoon and use the same gun. If you want versatility a smoothbore is the way to go. Just my 2 cents.
I've been shooting rifles / muskets / shotguns and back to rifles several times over the years.
I just picked up a Pedersoli 2nd Land Bess back in May I think. Even so with all the past experience,,, It took some getting used to.
Initially I had a lot of trouble printing in the black at 15 yds. Spent many sessions experimenting with loads, ball, patch, flints, cleaning/not cleaning between shots. Also getting used to that heavy lock and a big fireworks show is taking awhile. And the lack of a rear sight can be a love/hate thing at times.
However, after 3 mos. I found I was shooting 25 yds. with a 4"X2" grouping rather consistantly.
So I started paterning and working on shot loads. That took a bit of range time also. Probably by August I started working both together and that's when things started to really come together for me. I'm feeling comfortable with shot out to 25yds. and RBs to 40 for hunting purposes. I feel I've still a long way to go. My shot could probably be a bit more refined and I'm sure some load developement is called for. The more I shoot,, the better it gets.
Big areas for work are not the loads or gun refinements at this point,,, it's me. I still feel sloppy without the rear sight, feel I get distracted on my trigger pull, follow through, and that dang fireworks show going off 3" from my face.
Since this Bess came, I've shot my cap rifle once! It was so boring I took 3 shots and said "that's it!" A good cleaning and put it up for safe storage.
Everyone is different, but for me,,, I'm hooked.
I just picked up a Pedersoli 2nd Land Bess back in May I think. Even so with all the past experience,,, It took some getting used to.
Initially I had a lot of trouble printing in the black at 15 yds. Spent many sessions experimenting with loads, ball, patch, flints, cleaning/not cleaning between shots. Also getting used to that heavy lock and a big fireworks show is taking awhile. And the lack of a rear sight can be a love/hate thing at times.
However, after 3 mos. I found I was shooting 25 yds. with a 4"X2" grouping rather consistantly.
So I started paterning and working on shot loads. That took a bit of range time also. Probably by August I started working both together and that's when things started to really come together for me. I'm feeling comfortable with shot out to 25yds. and RBs to 40 for hunting purposes. I feel I've still a long way to go. My shot could probably be a bit more refined and I'm sure some load developement is called for. The more I shoot,, the better it gets.
Big areas for work are not the loads or gun refinements at this point,,, it's me. I still feel sloppy without the rear sight, feel I get distracted on my trigger pull, follow through, and that dang fireworks show going off 3" from my face.
Since this Bess came, I've shot my cap rifle once! It was so boring I took 3 shots and said "that's it!" A good cleaning and put it up for safe storage.
Everyone is different, but for me,,, I'm hooked.
pathfinderifh
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Someone on a previous thread let out my secret of using a kisser button on the stock where the corner of your mouth is. My smoothies are decorated with tacks anyways so it doesn't look out of place. It's a little difficult to locate the right spot for the tack, but once there it's a good confidence booster.
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
pathfinderifh
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PS to my last post. Since the move to the new server, why am I the only Old Fart with his age up there? Not that it bothers me[like my arthritis!], it just surprises me that I'm not eighteen anymore 
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
adkmountainken
40 Cal.
i have a 56. T.C. smoothie that is very accurate out to 40 yards, very tight, little groups. keeep in mind that this rifle is not very historticaly accurate as it has adjustable sights but i just wanted to let you knowhow accurate it is. i would not hesitate to shoot a deer at 40 yards with this gun.
Also have a 62. TVM smoothie. this gun only has a front sight which is a brass turtle. without a rear sight it is a little harder to get used to. none the less i am pretty much keeping all shots in a very small group out to 30 yards with this gun and thats with not even messing around with differen't loads. i would not hesitate to take a deer at 30 yards.
oh yeah, if the deer are not moving i simply pull the ball, drop in some shot and hunt small game. VERY VERSITALE!!!!!
Also have a 62. TVM smoothie. this gun only has a front sight which is a brass turtle. without a rear sight it is a little harder to get used to. none the less i am pretty much keeping all shots in a very small group out to 30 yards with this gun and thats with not even messing around with differen't loads. i would not hesitate to take a deer at 30 yards.
oh yeah, if the deer are not moving i simply pull the ball, drop in some shot and hunt small game. VERY VERSITALE!!!!!
Preacher said:
Shoot it like you would a shotgun and it will be easy to make the jump to smoothbores...
If you must have a rear sight, superglue a "BB" on the barrel about 2/3rds the way back from the muzzle and use it like a double bead shotgun...
Heck, i got ya beat by a year and my age is up here for the world to see. :g
I think it's probably because you chacked the "Share my birthday" box in the user profile page (right under the date).
And you probably thought it meant the cake. :haha:
