Should I consider a smoothbore if I'm a rifle guy?

[MIOutdoorsman]

I didn't know whether to post this in the Flintlock Rifle, or Smoothbore forum, as the question is really about both... so I'll leave in the General forum.

I'm a rifle guy, and I don't hunt small game. Since I have a pretty demanding work and family schedule, I rarely get a chance for purely recreational shooting, but I do carve out time at the range for siting in rifles and archery, and to continue to build my skills. I don't shoot clay pigeons anymore, and in fact the only shotgun I currently own is an antique handed down to me when my father died. It's an oddball relic that won't likely see another shotgun shell.

I love my .54 flintlock rifle for deer hunting and fun shooting, but it's a big-name commercial gun. Adequate for hunting, but someday I want to commission a builder to create a more appropriate reproduction with lines and carvings and such. I'm still researching the different styles of rifles, but I do see a lot of interest here on the forum with smoothbores.

I get it if you're a person who wants to shoot mostly shot, and occasionally round balls, and for that, a very efficient all-around hunter's gun. Nevertheless, I assume (perhaps incorrectly) that a smoothbore is truly optimized for shot, and perhaps adequate for round balls, but not as accurate as a rifled barrel with round balls.

For a guy like me--who doesn't currently or even plan to shoot shot--is there any reason to consider a smoothbore?

 

[brazosland]

Sounds like no. The biggest adjustment for me, and I like my two smoothbores but don’t hunt small game much, is that with balls your max range on deer size game is about 50 yards. 60 on a good day and with a rear sight.

 

[springfield art]

I didn't know whether to post this in the Flintlock Rifle, or Smoothbore forum, as the question is really about both... so I'll leave in the General forum.

I'm a rifle guy, and I don't hunt small game. Since I have a pretty demanding work and family schedule, I rarely get a chance for purely recreational shooting, but I do carve out time at the range for siting in rifles and archery, and to continue to build my skills. I don't shoot clay pigeons anymore, and in fact the only shotgun I currently own is an antique handed down to me when my father died. It's an oddball relic that won't likely see another shotgun shell.

I love my .54 flintlock rifle for deer hunting and fun shooting, but it's a big-name commercial gun. Adequate for hunting, but someday I want to commission a builder to create a more appropriate reproduction with lines and carvings and such. I'm still researching the different styles of rifles, but I do see a lot of interest here on the forum with smoothbores.

I get it if you're a person who wants to shoot mostly shot, and occasionally round balls, and for that, a very efficient all-around hunter's gun. Nevertheless, I assume (perhaps incorrectly) that a smoothbore is truly optimized for shot, and perhaps adequate for round balls, but not as accurate as a rifled barrel with round balls.

For a guy like me--who doesn't currently or even plan to shoot shot--is there any reason to consider a smoothbore?

I have rifles, and have been wanting to get a "smooth rifle", which is essentially a muzzleloader which looks, and is used as, a rifle, but is indeed smooth. Has sights like a rifle, etc. The oldtimers knew which ranges it could be used at, and I'm told they are pretty accurate using the right size ball, patch, and load. A gun using shot loads will generally have a larger bore, like a trade musket. Good luck, I bet a lot of guys leave comments.

 

[Carbon 6]

Two kinds of people in the world.

Those that know what they want and what they like.
And,
Those who decide after they try it.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Don't bother.
Only serious muzzleloaders use them

 

[smo]

Smoothbores make shooting a lot simpler, most of them only have one sight to focus on ..
Half the battle is won already !

Just kidding of course, But smoothbores are a hoot too shoot!

 

[tenngun]

They are more addictive then rifles. I do very little shot shooting in mine.
Cant make them a rifle but it’s fun trying. And so much to do with them.
PRB, wad, bare ball, buck and ball, wad and patch, chewed ball, cartridge.
What works best sometimes just depends on the day.
And wads. OMG tow, woolen, hemp, wasp paper,brown paper, grass, dog hair(stinks) cork, pre made, and on and on.
I don’t shoot my riders as much as I used to. And grab my smoothies most of the time.
Just took a little doe with my 28 bore.

 

[rafterob]

In your case I feel you are good without one. Smoothbore is an all purpose tool and if you have no need for half of the capabilities then why go there. In less you are just curious, and have the spare money.
Accuracy does not suffer with a smoothbore. The good shots in our club are just as good with a SB as with a rifle.

 

[Juice Jaws]

Don't bother.
Only serious muzzleloaders use them

A try and try " Smoothy "

 

[NorthFork]

Don't bother.
Only serious muzzleloaders use them

Well something like that. I was gonna be a bit more tactful about it. If you don't have a need for shot (wingshooting, trap, clays, etc) and you only hunt big game AND the big game is shot at distances on average further than 50 yards, then NO you don't need a smoothbore. Wants vs needs are two different things though.

 

[renegadehunter]

OP, have you thought about turkey hunting in the Spring?
Currently I use my bow quite a bit for that, as I just don't find a modern shotgun very challenging for them, but have been having a craving to pick up a smoothbore so I can give that a go.
I've had it in mind for a while now to try to pick up a sewer pipe barrel that I can have Bobby Hoyt bore out to a .62/20ga smooth bore and then drop into my Renegade. I'd be fine with it only giving me a good pattern out to 25 yards or so.
Using shorter range weapons is very appealing to me though.

 

[nhmoose]

With my eyes now a smoothie is fine with no rear sight as I will not see it anyway. I am far from days before of competing in Bench and Cross sticks and winning most I was in.

I started hunting in a State that SB were it and now I like them even better as they still perform duty needed.

 

[hanshi]

There's just something about a smoothbore, and I can't really put it into words. I shoot more ball than shot in mine and it's required (legally) for turkey. I get sub-3" 3-shot groups at 50 yds with mine. It has a rear sight which helps with everything. So far only killed deer with it. They are satisfying and fun to shoot (in flintlock). It patterns well with shot, but all small game is taken with my .36 SMR since I don't like picking shot from between my teeth.

 

[rich pierce]

Well, one aspect not discussed yet is historical interest. If, for example, you live in New England and enjoy early local history, you might desire a New England fowler and enjoy hunting with it. Or if you find fur trade history interesting and live in the Great Lakes area, a French or English trade gun might appeal to you. And so on.

 

[Magungo1066]

I would get one! They are just special. There is just something fun about the ease of loading and the no rear sight (unless you elect to have one).

 

[TreeMan]

I love to hunt deer and bear with my rifles. I’d pretty much given up small game hunting years ago. Six months or so ago I got my first flint smoothbore and a big bag of #7 shot. I’ve not had this much fun hunting in many years. I’ve scared the hell outta more squirrels than I’ve killed but it’s been a blast. I did make me up some roundballs and worked up a good load with them. I don’t think I’ll take the smoothie hunting bigger game just yet. Buy the gun. By some shot. You may be in for a surprise for how fun it is having a new challenge.

 

[Art Caputo]

Given you are a rifle guy and deer hunter, it seems a rifle upgrade might make more sense. If you happen to find the styling and feel of the smooth bore more appealing, it can get the job done on deer with RB load work, and practice using the single front sight. I have a smooth bore for turkey hunting. While it shoots well enough for deer hunting, I prefer using a rifle.

 

[Capn'D]

I use my smooth bores more than my rifled pieces. They are more of a challenge for one thing. I tried to increase the challenge in my hunting about 1976 when Thompson Center first came out with their Hawken. Until that time I had hunted with an M-1 Garand. I assumed that a caplock .50 Hawken would up the ante a lot. It did not. In our area a 100 yard shot is the best you are likely to get and that Hawken was just as accurate and deadly at that range as the Garand. After 55 years of shooting, I can tell you a Centermark Fusil Fin in .58 basically has become my go to hunting weapon. It is challenging for deer at 100 yards. At 50 yards it might as well be rifled. I can use shot for geese, turkeys small game and pests. It is fun, attracts lots of attention at the range and fits into a wide variety of time periods for reenactment. I don't think they even make that rifle anymore. I bought mine in 1986. But there are a wide assortment of smooth rifles and fusils available from different makers. I have a gorgeous handmade southern mountain rifle and squirrel rifle. Neither sees anywhere near the use of my fusil.

 

[watopeka]

First go flint and rifled barrel then shoot it shoot it and shoot it, flint can be finicky learn anything you can, if your lucky you have a group that can be of great help and you have this super site. After that go smooth bore , thats my next built challenge and why because its my nature of curiosity .Then you’ll know what you really like and push come to shove sell the one you have no interest. But really you won’t its so damn addictive. But you know it’s a good addiction, there is no bad decision in this, welcome to the dark side ,HAhAhAhA

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Get what you want or need...,

I have smoothbores because I do this :

AND I have smoothbores because I do this, and encroaching houses made using a small round ball a possible problem, so ...,

Nothing says you need a smoothie simply to be "one of us".

LD