Smoothbore Pistol Accuracy

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Here is a 62 caliber smoothbored pistol I made. This was also my first endeavor to shoot a smoothbore pistol. I shot buckshot, buck and ball, and solid ball. I posted video of that on my Shot thru a Pistol post. But here is the group snapshot from 10 yards using just a front blade sight. What kind of accuracy are yall getting out of your pistols? Many say flintlock pistols and other smoothbore pistols are woefully inaccurate.

 

[FishDFly]

At the WNS this year in Phoenix the scores ranged from 89 to 51 with the cluster in the mid-60s. in the smoothbore pistol match.

The match is shot at 25 yards, 13 shots and the best 10 count, flintlock only.

The Master's turned in scores of 80, 89, 78 and 69.

For a comparison, the Masters turned in scores of 88, 93, 93, 85 and 84 in the 25 yard flintlock match, 10 shots with pistols with rifling.

 

I tried shooting from the same distance with a rifled 45 caliber flintlock pistol I made before and I could not get a group. Flinter's flinch I guess.

 

[FishDFly]

Shooting pistols takes time and practice, especially flintlocks.

My flintlock scores are better than my revolver scores for some reason.

 

[cynthialee]

the flintlock has less variables than the revolver

Single shot guns for accuracy, revolvers are for hogs and coyotes. :wink:

 

I reckon they both work but if you must take out multiple targets, revolvers would be the obvious choice.

 

[M. De Land]

And I bet there both higher than mine Richard! :rotf: If I break into the low 90's I've had a pretty good day at 25 and one of my friends I shoot with has had a bad day if he is below a 95 with just about anything he shoots.
He does work at it though and is very dedicated.
I have good single guns now, a match pair of Yazels in .36 flint and percussion that I have fine tuned. When one goes wide I know it ain't the guns fault! Mike D.

 

For those of you without facebook. I figured out photobucket!

 

[FishDFly]

Must be Keith.

 

[theoldredneck]

I made two smooth bores, a .32 and the other. 430 bore. Built to shoot bird shot and other things like builders sand at carpenter bees. Was surprised at how well they shoot patched round ball and bullets that fit snug. The bullets keyhole by 20 steps or so but still shoot groups small enough to hit center mass of an armadillos butt at around 25 steps. Makes ugly holes and releases them from this life form to where ever they go when they leave here.

 

[matt denison]

"Many say flintlock pistols and other smoothbore pistols are woefully inaccurate."

Don't you believe it. I've shot ragged one-hole groups with a .62 smoothbored pistol.

Here's the secret: You have to practice.

It also helps to be a decent shot, not flinch and follow through.

 

[Dphar]

The flintlock pistol is probably the most difficult firearm to shoot well, great learning tool, especially a light weight pistol.
Dry fire it a few times and see how much the lock jars the pistol. Some locks transmit a lot of energy to the pistol and it moves before the ball clears the muzzle. Lock selection is important.

A 6-9" barreled rifled pistol should shoot under 2" at 25 yards for 5 shots and will shoot surprisingly well to 100. This with a rifle twist, 66" ect, and enough powder to give good accuracy.
These will also shoot shot fairly well at 15 yards or so, at least in 54 caliber with a heavy shot charge. But I consider small shot a waste of time.

Dan

 

how to lead round balls keyhole?

 

Ive made flint pistols and I love them more than anything. But when I shoot them, I can hit a mansized target regularly but never could make a precise group. On account of flinching.

 

[theoldredneck]

The round lead balls do not. The 240 grain. 429/.430 44 bullets out of the. 430 barrel and 115/120 grain. 311 bullets do out of the smooth bore. 32. Tried paper patching but the bullets still keyhole. Patched round ball shoots better out of both guns. The bullets are just easy to load and fun to play with. Armadillos are easy to get close to at night with a flashlight while they are digging up the yard. No love lost when they are released from this life form to wherever they go next. On the flinching issue try smaller calibers and or smaller powder charges. Shooting something with recoil that is not painful or uncomfortable helps when learning to overcome flinching.