Newbie Questions

[huntswnm]

OK guys. So by looking through old posts, I think I get the understanding of the whole smooth bore thing. I am very interested in shooting a BP shotgun, particulary for turkey. I have a friend in TX that last I knew had a BP shotgun and hadn't used it in years. I was thinking about getting a hold of him and seeing if he wanted to sell it or let me borrow it. If that doesnt work out I need to find my own. I have a T/C Renegade. By chance is there a smooth bore barrel out there that would fit onto that stock? What are my options if so?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Heidi 1672]

Thompson Center did make a .56 cal smoothbore for the Renegade. You can still find these once in a while on the Gun auction sites.

 

[Bob Gular]

Green Mountain Barrel makes a 62 caliber drop-in smoothbore for the Renegade percussion. Not cheap, quality never is, but less expensive than buying a complete gun. On their website it is listed under replacement rifle barrels.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

There is a world of difference between a true fowling piece and a rifle with a smoothbore barrel stuck on it. Important things like balance and handling are compromised or lost and the converted rifle is also almost always heavier.

A smoothbore gun designed as such from the outset is a thing of beauty and is a joy to swing and handle. And of course, a fine rifle is a wonderful thing when used for its intended purpose.

 

[huntswnm]

Thanks for the comments guys. I will check into GM. Russ, based on your comments are you saying that a smooth bore barrel on a rifle stock is not adequate for hunting birds. Now I said I wanted to hunt turkeys, not upland birds or waterfowl, so the need for a smooth swinging balanced gun isn't really necessary in this case? I would hate to take out a weapon that would not be adequate for shooting a consistent group at 20 yards, just wouldn't be ethical. Not trying to start anything, just a little confused at what the exact point of your post was.

Update.....Just got off the phone with Green Mountain. She said they discontinued those barrels and doesn't look like he is planning on making any, any time soon. She said my best bet would be to just keep an eye out for a used barrel out there somewhere. Any good ideas on where to look??? I will watch the classified section on here for now.

Thanks again,
Jeff

 

[Black Hand]

A fowler is for hunting fowl, geese, duck and yes, turkeys. They are smoothbore guns designed to shoot both shot and roundballs. Don't be fooled by the name.....

 

[huntswnm]

OK, so should I not be looking at all for a GM smoothbore barrel to hunt turkeys with my Renegade? Is that not a good idea? Should I specifically look for a "Fowler"?

So a "Fowler" is a smooth bore gun that can shoot both shot or round balls, while a smooth bore rifle, such as a T/C Renegade smooth bore is designed to shoot only round balls and is not an effective shotgun?

Sorry for the questions, i am just really getting confused now. Based on what I had read on old posts I thought I was looking for the right thing.

Jeff

 

[Black Hand]

OK, so should I not be looking at all for a GM smoothbore barrel to hunt turkeys with my Renegade? Is that not a good idea? Should I specifically look for a "Fowler"?

So a "Fowler" is a smooth bore gun that can shoot both shot or round balls, while a smooth bore rifle, such as a T/C Renegade smooth bore is designed to shoot only round balls and is not an effective shotgun?

Sorry for the questions, i am just really getting confused now. Based on what I had read on old posts I thought I was looking for the right thing.

Jeff

Sorry about the confusion. The issue is with the stock design. A rifle stock with a smoothbore barrel is more like a smoothrifle (rifle design). A fowler, while being a smoothbore, has a different stock configuration. When you see the two side-by-side, the differences are much more evident. But the fowler swings/handles like a shotgun while a smooth-rifle handles like a rifle. A fowler usually (but not always) has only a front sight like a shotgun, while a smoothrifle has both a front and rear sight.

To answer your question, you can shoot turkeys with your rifle with drop-in smoothbore barrel. But think about it, why not use it as an excuse to buy another gun (if you can get away with it)?

 

[huntswnm]

AAAHHHHHH..........OK

Thank you! That does make a lot of sense now. I will open my options up and keep a look out for a fowler as well. Don't know if I can "get away with it", :yakyak: , if you know what I mean. The drop in barrel may be cheaper for the short term till I can get a fowler, although the barrel seems a little tough to find at this point.
Thank you for the clarification.

Jeff

 

[Black Hand]

Don't know if I can "get away with it", :yakyak: , if you know what I mean.

Jeff,
You could always try the "my friend let me borrow it" ploy. But if the significant other does the finances, this is a bit tougher to slide by. Good luck in your quest.
Albert

 

[tg]

Check the local regs for bore size limitations for Turkey hunting here in Oregon one must use a 20 gauge or larger, just something to think about as you look for a Turkey gun, good luck with your search and the hunt when it materializes.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I think your question has been answered pretty well already. I'm not sure that you can get a drop in barrel with a big enough bore to use on turkey and be legal. And a true fowler is a great addition to your arsenal anyway. :thumbsup:

 

[huntswnm]

Thanks, I will keep looking. Here in NM I can't find anything under the turkey regs where it states what the legal gauge is, however in other places it does mention that nothing smaller than a 28 guage is allowed, for deer with shotgun slug for example. I would not want anything smaller than 20 gauge anyway, preferably bigger.
Thanks
jeff

 

[mazo kid]

I think your question has been answered pretty well already. I'm not sure that you can get a drop in barrel with a big enough bore to use on turkey and be legal. And a true fowler is a great addition to your arsenal anyway. :thumbsup:

RussT pretty much summed up what I was gonna say.....how big a bore can you get with a drop in barrel? Then think about the number/size of shot you SHOULD be using for turkey. I'm with the others in thinking you should increase your arsenal and get a real fowler if you can swing it. A word to the wise though....once you try it you will be addicted!

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

My grandmother always told me that you can't be too rich, too handsome, and you can't have too many muzzleloaders. I never knew her to be wrong... :rotf:

 

[bucktales]

Jeff.
I know you got it, but I was going to use a modern arms anology such as putting a shot barrel on a Remington 700.
It would do the job but wouldn't be the best tool for the job.

Also, +1 on the checking the state regs for min. turkey shot gun bore. I might add states may also differ with shot size required for turkey.