The Best Smooth Bore

[redwing]

I have been looking at Smooth Bores. I think I have
decided on either a Fusil De chase or the Southern
Hunting Gun{Poor Boy} in .62 Cal.
My question is what do you think is the best Smooth
Bore of all types Muskets, Fusils, Etc. Don't worry
about period Thingys. Just intersted in shooting.
What Cals, Makers, Types, Loads.?
:redthumb:

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

A nice fowler or fusil de chasse is a good choice. They are lighter than muskets, more elegant, and better balanced. Personally, if I were starting over, I'd go with a 16 bore fowler or maybe Track's 44" barrel fusil de chasse in 16 gauge. If I did go for a musket, it would be a French one. They tend to be lighter than the Bess and removing the barrel for cleaning is much easier--something you may want to do from time to time. You don't say what price range you are considering, but I think it's better to spend a little extra and get a quality piece. Even if it means waiting a bit longer. Loads are where you learn all about your gun. Generally, you can approximate modern loads used in whatever gauge you choose. Other than a slower rate of fire, you don't give away much to modern stuff. One thing to think about is what type of hunting you will be doing. If you're going out for geese and deer, you want a bigger bore. Bunnies and quail--you could drop down to a 20 or even a 28 bore. Just about like one of them there breechloaders, only you get to have a flintlock attached to your gun and maybe some very pretty wood, too. Good luck and have fun!

 

[redwing]

Russ T
Thanks,I will only use it to hunt Sage Grouse. Main
use will be club shoots and Rondys. I would like a
16 but balls and OP wads may be a problem. Price
I would expect the range between $1000.00 and $2000.00.
I have also looked at NW Trade Guns, but seem to
follow your thinking and go back to Fusils.

Redwing :redthumb:

 

[Le Mamou]

I built a Fusil in 16 ga. / .662 Ca. Smooth bore, flint lock, 44" barrel.

Shoots .648 Cal. round ball, shot, buck and ball.

There is no problem getting molds, over powder cards, felr wads, or over shot cards.

I love it!

Avant Jour...

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Redwing, if you don't get a mold and by your own shot most sporting goods stores usually only handle up to .54 roundballs. However you can order just about anything you need from places such as track of the wolf or log cabin shop. Both of my smoothies are .62 but I think a .65/16 gauge would be an interesting change. I have been thinking of tracks 16 gauge fusil de chasse kit for a winter project. There are a lot of good makers out there that can fill your bill for the price range you are talking about. Good luck and enjoy shopping.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Check Track's site: www.trackofthewolf.com
There are a few guns there in your price range. For your uses, a 20 bore should be fine.

 

[rich pierce]

A late flint English fowler, halfstock, in 16 ga would be hard to beat for shooting "flying".

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Oh yeah!!! :RO:

 

[TANSTAAFL]

My .62 fusil de chasse of course.

 

[David Teague]

Hello All,

I'm rather fond of my light officer's fusil by North Star West, 65 cal.

It looks like a scaled down Bess but more elegent. The straighter stock allows me to aquire my sight picture fast(faster than the heavy drop most French guns of the era.)

It come with sling swivels as a military firearm which makes it easier to carry in the field.

Cheers,

DT

 

[Kootenai]

Personally old hoss, I like the products that North Star West have for sale. Well made, quality products and you are not going to get a finer person to talk about smoothbores than Laffin Dog, Matt Denison.

You will not go wrong.

Kootenai

 

[David Teague]

I forgot to add that I've had my light officers Fusil for 9 or more years now.

:thumbsup:

 

[CrackStock]

http://www.jackiebrowngunmaker.com/jackie-upload/sale.htm

The last item would interest me most along the smoothbore lines.

CS

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

But the gun above it has a cherrywood stock. Best get both of them--just to be safe.

 

[JackAubrey]

I personally subscibe to the gun battery or armoury principle.It is well known that there is no such thing as the perfect,do all gun.Therefore, it behooves the dedicated sportsman to consider all the shooting endeavours he intends to pursue and buy a gun and related accoutrements for each.The wife simply must be made to understand this. :winking:

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Hello All,

I'm rather fond of my light officer's fusil by North Star West, 65 cal.

It looks like a scaled down Bess but more elegent. The straighter stock allows me to aquire my sight picture fast(faster than the heavy drop most French guns of the era.)

It come with sling swivels as a military firearm which makes it easier to carry in the field.

Cheers,

DT

It took a bit at first to realize I must look over the barrel, not down it, when shooting my fusil, it is now second nature and works great.

 

[David Teague]

I personally subscibe to the gun battery or armoury principle.It is well known that there is no such thing as the perfect,do all gun.Therefore, it behooves the dedicated sportsman to consider all the shooting endeavours he intends to pursue and buy a gun and related accoutrements for each.The wife simply must be made to understand this. :winking:

Don't forget the old adage " Beware the man that only has one gun, he most likely knows how to use it" :winking:

P.S I have the battery myself... :winking:

 

[David Teague]

Hello All,

I'm rather fond of my light officer's fusil by North Star West, 65 cal.

It looks like a scaled down Bess but more elegent. The straighter stock allows me to aquire my sight picture fast(faster than the heavy drop most French guns of the era.)

It come with sling swivels as a military firearm which makes it easier to carry in the field.

Cheers,

DT

It took a bit at first to realize I must look over the barrel, not down it, when shooting my fusil, it is now second nature and works great.

In my case I have a hell of a time finding the butt on a French style 1717-1728 style musket as the stock drops so much on a fast aquire... :results:

I don't have that problem with my long rifle as the crescent buttplate will catch my shoulder...

Cheers,

DT

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Crescent butt plates are a no no for me.

 

[ffffg]

i went with a chambers mark silver in special order 16 ga getz smooth bore.. the 12 ga balls are bigger than necessary for most game, and the 20 ga is a small shotgun expeceally when you take into account the slower velocity of the shot, thus requireing larger shot in cold weather.. the 16 sits right inbetween with 400 grain balls and 1 1/8 ounce shot, 1 1/4 if needed.. best of both worlds. dave..