Stupid question - Smoothbore sight

[brayhaven]

My smoothbore was built with a rear sight installed. I just shoot it like a rifle with both ball and shot. The gun shoots really well, so outfitted.

At Army basic training back in the 1960s we trained with BB guns sans sights. Good work could be done the slick barrel guns even on flying targets.

I taught that course at Ft. Gordon. we called it “quick kill” it was based on the old Lucky McDaniels method “quick point”. Trainees could usually hit a salt tablet thrown in the air by the End of the day, no sights, front or rear. some could hit a bb 3 out of 5 times. I Later wrote a piece on it for American Shotgunner. That said, I put a rear sight on my 28 ga/56 cal Fowler for hunting for the sake of responsibility. I shot some matches with it and could do fine, in position, with a consistent cheek weld etc. in good light. But hunting often involves weird angles and lower light.. so in the interest of humane shot placement, I use sights. Can’t compete with that gun anymore, but that’s OK.

 

[bigted]

MIJack, great drawing and explanation. That would do nicely as a peep as well.

If in addition a feller were to drill another hole and tap it, then drill a corresponding hole in the sight, then slot this additional hole horozontaly, then you could "sight in" the rear sight so as to be windage adjustable and set when achieved.

Just a great drawing sir. Thanks

 

[Huntschool]

I have sights on my current smooth rifle and it shoots like a rifle out to 70 or so yards (50 or so is my usual shot). I am building a new .62 smooth rifle and anticipate the same results. These guns are custom builds and not fowlers or trade guns or Fusils, but smooth rifles..... perhaps a different beast.

Just sayin.....

 

[Mad Irish Jack]

The only difference between my Early Lancaster rifle and the new build smooth rifle is the inside of the bore has NO rifling in there. The same stock shape but no fancy carving or engravings. The lock and triggers are the exact same. Hardware also the same.