Small caliber smoothbore?

[bigted]

Britts you have done it again. I imagine a couple more photos like these and I will have need to put together a 45 cal smoothie. How does she do with patched ball?

 

[smoothshooter]

Hello,
I'm considering a 0.45 caliber smoothbore. I would be interested in comments specifically on:
Historical relevance - did such exist in 18th century?
Performance experience - for those that might have small caliber smoothbores, how does it perform?
Thanks

Smoothbores in all calibers were common.
Some started out that way, many more were rifles bored out smooth later for various reasons.

 

[smoothshooter]

I have a 28 gauge/54 cal smooth rifle. I believe that the smaller bore smoothies shoot very accurately out to 50 yards. I never shot a 45 cal smoothbore but I would bet that it could keep up with a rifle with the right load up to 50 yards.

First we have to define our terms.
“ keep up with “ is a pretty broad phrase.
Are we talking effective on small game, medium game, or big game? Shot or ball? What ranges?

 

[RiverRat]

First we have to define our terms.
“ keep up with “ is a pretty broad phrase.
Are we talking effective on small game, medium game, or big game? Shot or ball? What ranges?

I said at ranges up to 50 yards. You don’t normally shoot shot out of rifles. I never said anything about hunting.

 

[smoothshooter]

I said at ranges up to 50 yards. You don’t normally shoot shot out of rifles. I never said anything about hunting.

I have been shooting a smooth .54 rifle a bunch for 24 years. Not a 45, though I have always been curious how a smooth .45 would do with a patched ball.
Could be pretty useful since higher velocity can be had with not much recoil. Some smoothbores shoot their best with heavier charges.
Double-ball loads could be fun to play with.

 

[RiverRat]

I have been shooting a smooth .54 rifle a bunch for 24 years. Not a 45, though I have always been curious how a smooth .45 would do with a patched ball.
Could be pretty useful since higher velocity can be had with not much recoil. Some smoothbores shoot their best with heavier charges.
Double-ball loads could be fun to play with.

My smooth rifle is a 28g/54cal, not a 45.

 

[TCMonts]

28g is actually .555
29g is .543
30g is ..537
But whatever works for you YMMV
Just picking nits I know but offered for the sake of accuracy
No disrespect intended.