smooth rifle vs trade gun

[bud in pa]

I have noticed people saying that the stocks on smooth rifles are not as well shaped as a trade gun for shooting small game, rabbits & birds. |Trade gun shooters have no trouble shooting their trade guns like a rifle. As I can only afford one gun this is why I chose a trade gun.

 

[centershot]

I wouldn't say that a smooth rifle's stock isn't well shaped for shooting small game, but I will say that it isn't shaped like a shotgun and therefore you'll have a little more of a problem trying to shoot running or flying game. Just because it has a smooth bore doesn't make it a shotgun, it still has rifle architecture. Think of it this way; You have the versatility of the smooth bore combined with the accuracy (almost) of a rifle, to 50 yards or so. A smooth rifle has a set of sights, or should have IMO. A trade gun doesn't. The trade gun is probably easier to use on moving game. Both will do the same job. If you want an all-around gun, buy the trade gun, you can always add a rear sight if you want to.

 

[TDM]

If your only going to get one, I say good choice on the Trade Gun. They're very versatile.

 

[JeffG]

My smooth rifle doesn't swing well on running or flying game. Even with shot loads, it's shot like a rifle.

 

[tenngun]

I like both. However if I had to go with just one it would be my TFC, and it’s fitted with a rear sight

 

[hanshi]

A trade gun will be a good bit lighter than a smoothrifle. My 20 ga smoothbore isn't a trade gun and it does have sights. At 50 yards three shot groups average well under 3". And I used this, my only, smoothbore to kill a running deer. It has even made 50 yard groups a small as1-3/4".

 

[Brokennock]

I have noticed people saying that the stocks on smooth rifles are not as well shaped as a trade gun for shooting small game, rabbits & birds. |Trade gun shooters have no trouble shooting their trade guns like a rifle. As I can only afford one gun this is why I chose a trade gun.

Huh?
Smoothrifle stocks are fine for small game, turkeys, deer, targets, and anything else one might shoot at in a fairly stationary manner.
Where their architecture can be a detriment is in comparison to a lightweight fowling piece designed for wing shooting. I've taken pheasant on the wing with my smoothrifle, but it os less than ideal compared to my Fusil des Chase,,,, which still isn't as well designed for that task as a fowling piece of proper fit to the shooter.