Optimal bore size for a smoothie?

[UndeadPoet]

I know this is a very subjective topic, but curious as to members’ opinions on what they consider to be the optimal smoothbore size. Also, longer barrel? Shorter barrel? I’m thinking for general use, but specialty uses are good too. Thanks!

 

[tenngun]

Many states require at least 20 bore for turkeys. For waterfowl a lot like a 12 bore, I think bigger then 10 is illegal for some hunting.
A 24(58) or 28(54) will well serve small and big game well.
There is no ‘better’ other then law and personal preference
A .54 has taken squirrel and deer for me, a little cheaper to shoot then my .62, but only by a few cents per shot
I think Britsmoothy hunts well with a .45 smoothbore.
Smaller seems to shoot a little straighter or can be driven at higher velocity so the ball has less time to deviate.
What ever you get you won’t be happy till you have another in a slightly different size.

 

[UndeadPoet]

…What ever you get you won’t be happy till you have another in a slightly different size.

I am sure that much is true! LOL! It certainly has been with rifles. thanks for the great info.

 

[DanL]

Hi Poet. I use a .62 smoothie (20 ga). It handles everything in my woods; turkey, deer, squirrels, hogs. Shot for birds and squirrels & .600 roundball for deer and hogs.
Mostly, it depends on what your quarry is. Might go bigger for elk, bear and moose.
DanL

 

[UndeadPoet]

Thanks, DanL!

 

[Brokennock]

Tenngun pretty well nailed it.
Other than special application and what local game laws will allow, mostly personal preference, maybe recoil tolerance could be a factor, as far as bore size is concerned.
Generally smmothbores perform better with longer barrels.
My 20 gauge smoothbores are legal for any game where I live, depending on how I load it. I might go bigger if I were still into duck hunting. I'd like to get something small, like Britsmoothy's smoothbore. 45, to play with for squirrels, but that would be in addition to my general purpose 20 guage, very versatile.

 

[user 49399]

.62 caliber for me

 

[Harry]

I have three a 24ga canoe gun, 28ga with a 42” barrel and a 20ga with a 44” barrel. I love them all I’ve taken most game with the 28 as I’ve had that one longer deer, hogs, pheasants, squirrels and rabbits with it. They all shoot well when loaded how they want to be loaded. Whatever you decide to go with experiment until you find the perfect load for both roundball and shot configurations. They’re a ton of fun and extremely versatile!

 

[Cruzatte]

I know this is a very subjective topic, but curious as to members’ opinions on what they consider to be the optimum smoothbore size. Also, longer barrel? Shorter barrel? I’m think for general use, but specialty uses are good too. Thanks!

This is an interesting question. Can we define "optimal" in the first place? Does it mean most useful in a given context? Does it mean ballistically most efficient? Are we discussing the pure economics of acquiring lead and powder, shot and wads?

If optimal is defined as best in the category of smooth bored shoulder arms, I don't think there is such a thing. It all is most subjective.

 

[Robby]

I have been using the equivalant of a 16 Ga. for years and am very happy with them. Many moon's ago someone asked me that question that seem to crop up with regularity in muzzleloading, If you could have just one gun, what would it be? Without hesitation I said a .58 caliber smoothbore. So, many years later I am now working on one and will have it ready, maybe by the end of deer season this year and for sure by spring turkey season. I'll let you know.
Robby

 

[UndeadPoet]

This is an interesting question. Can we define "optimal" in the first place? Does it mean most useful in a given context? Does it mean ballistically most efficient? Are we discussing the pure economics of acquiring lead and powder, shot and wads?

If optimal is defined as best in the category of smooth bored shoulder arms, I don't think there is such a thing. It all is most subjective.

You are correct. I left it wide open and open-ended. I am interested in what people like and why. I know there can’t be only one…(at least not for me, in things like this).

 

[Feltwad]

For a good all round sxs shotgun I find a original 12 is the best for me , this bore size will kill all the UK game birds and ground game at a killing range of 35 to 40 yards. Know doubt a smaller size of 14, 16, will be has good to a 35 yard killing range it is a matter of choice for the shooter , barrel length can also be a benefit , the sxs are mostly 30 inch but when the s/b with a barrel length of 30 inch plus up to 40 inch do give a more killing range it is purely the shooters choice
Feltwad
A sxs 12bore Covert gun

A s/b 12 bore sporting gun

 

[UndeadPoet]

Beautiful! Thanks, Feltwad!

‘Poet