Thoughts on "Gauge" to select..

[hanshi]

My smoothbore (flint) has an untapered barrel and a rear sight; I shoot it as if it were a rifle. It is a 20ga, and since it is fired mostly round ball, the barrel is perfect for my needs. It does work fine with shot, too. The gun isn't heavy and handles nicely; I much prefer shooting a 325 grain ball rather than a 500 grain ball. There is a point where enough is enough - not talking shot, just lead ball - and any more is simply not needed. But then I don't wing shoot and squirrels/turkey/rabbit is all I will chase with shot. So if you want to primarily use shot, then go with a bigger bore, 16 or 12. But if you're like me and use it as a deer collector, a 20 is probably the biggest that one should consider or maybe a 24 ga or 28 ga.

 

[nattie bumppo]

At what range can a shooter reasonably expect a 28 gauge to take a turkey.

 

[BrownBear]

At what range can a shooter reasonably expect a 28 gauge to take a turkey.

My only frame of reference was taking two Canada geese on the wing with quick successive shots at 7 yards and 10 yards, head/neck shots both. Granted it was a modern O/U 28 gauge with 5/8 oz loads of 7 1/2's and SK1 and SK2 chokes while jumping pheasants out of a brushy creek bottom.

Would I have taken the shots at 20 yards? Nope.

 

[hanshi]

Just my opinion but a good load & pattern from a 28 gauge should do for turkey up to about 20 yards or so.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I concur. Low amount of shot compared to other, larger bore, smooth bores, so to get sufficient impact in head/neck, 20 yards.

LD

 

[bender20]

Not to hijack the thread but just want to make sure I understand what I think is being said here in terms of gauge. Is it fair to say....

Mainly wing shooting 12ga or 16ga

Mainly ball shooting 24ga or 28ga

and 20ga stands in the middle as a good compromise between both?

 

[Stumpkiller]

Kinda. It's opinion and personal preference - not a natural law.

Really, the only reason to go smaller for predominately round ball shooting is for economy. Less lead, less powder needed.

The reason to go bigger for shot is . . . more shot in the air. There is also the oft forgotten benefits of a short shot column. You don't see it when paper patterning, but a shot load that is as wide as it is tall all gets to the target at about the same time vs. a column that is twice as tall as it is wide. That is, an ounce of shot in a 12 gauge has advantages over an ounce of shot in a 28 gauge. Think about it - if the shot cloud is 24" wide and 24" deep there is more density of shot when it intersects a moving target than if it was 24" wode and 60" deep.

If you don't shoot much, are comfortable financially or just don't care the 12 is every bit as good with a round ball as a 28. If you're going for big game the larger ball is also an advantage.

Without sights the thinner barrel aligns up better under the eye (that's why modern shotguns have narrow ribs).

 

[bender20]

Thanks stumpkiller, but didn't really help me. Although maybe I should thank you cause it seems I should just get one of each and find out for myself :thumbsup:

 

[Stumpkiller]

If your question is "Which one is right for me" then you are the only person qualified to answer that.

Or, fill out Stumpy's Survey:

Totalling to 100% break down your shooting as follows:

Percent of time hunting
Doves
Turkey
Geese
Ducks
Grouse
Squirrels
Rabbits
Wild Boar
Fur-bearers for pelts
Whitetail Deer
Mule Deer
Moose
Elk
Black Bear
Brown Bear

Skeet
Paper targets with ball
Iron gongs under 40 yards away
Iron gongs over 40 yards away


Or just get a 16 ga like I did. :rotf:

 

[bender20]

HAHA I am torn between the 16 and the 20. Leaning towards the 20 though. We'll see what happens

But just to humor myself

Doves 1
Turkey 5
Geese 0
Ducks 0
Grouse 10
Squirrels 12.5
Rabbits 12.5
Wild Boar 0
Fur-bearers for pelts 0
Whitetail Deer 20
Mule Deer 0
Moose 1
Elk 1
Black Bear 2
Brown Bear 0

Skeet 5
Paper targets with ball 20
Iron gongs under 40 yards away 5
Iron gongs over 40 yards away 5

Do a lot of duck and goose hunting with center fire but not sure I want to use steel in a ml

 

[Stumpkiller]

Looks like the 20 or 16 would do you.

So here's another thought - Track of the Wolf

0.600 round balls $8.99/25 (36¢)

0.648" round balls $11.30/25 (45¢)

0.562" (24 gauge patched) RB $11.30/50 (23¢)

0.535 (28 gauge patched) RB $15.69/100 (16¢)

Note these are not bore size but for paper cartridges or patched loading.

You can see the economy if single balls are your predominate choice. Not a big issue for large game and casual practice. But would be for paper punching only.

 

[bender20]

Thanks for the help. I cast my own ball so cost of round ball not really a consideration.

 

[md2020]

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showuser.php?uid/4468/

Tinker do you know what kind of stock is on that H/A.. what was it intended for?

 

[Tinker2]

I made the butt stock by repurposing a model 12 Winchester butt stock
The forearm I made from a stock blank
It was very easy to do with minimal tools



William Alexander

 

[Snow on the Roof]

One point. I have had a 20 a 16 and the venerable 12 gauge. All work, all did what was asked of them.
But with the round ball the 16 is solid, the 20 is versatile and the 12 is brutal.

 

[md2020]

Tinker2, thats exactly what i thought-- thankyou..

 

[Tinker2]

I am pleased to help.

I am looking forward to what you are building





William Alexander

 

[jackley]

I'll throw in my 2 cents in I own and hunt with a 20fusil deer and turkey,16percusion SxS wingshooting, trap and skeet ,14 flint SxS wingshooting trap and skeet, 12 percussion SxS wingshooting trap and skeet and a 10 flint English fowler wingshooting trap and skeet. Now if you were going to take them all away but one I would keep the 12 ga. SxS. With it I have taken deer, turkey and hundreds of upland birds. Won Many trap and skeet matches with it. But the main reason is it fits me like no other shotgun I have ever owned be it original, replica, contemporary or one of my modern trap guns with adjustable everything. Now with all that said, they all will do a good job for you. Pick the one you think best. It will do a great job for you.

Jerry

 

[Lonegun1894]

At what range can a shooter reasonably expect a 28 gauge to take a turkey.

Depends on your load and your local laws. When using #6 shot from my .54 flint smooth rifle, I trust it to 25yds, maybe 30 under perfect conditions. Now where it gets interesting for me is that my local laws are kinda goofy in that I can use a rifle for turkey hunting in fall, but can only use a shotgun in spring--but can use a RB/slug in that shotgun. So when loaded with a RB, my smooth rifle is accurate enough for turkey out to at least 60yds. I use this gun mostly for hog hunting since there is no closed season or on them here, but try to use it as my main hunting gun except for those times when I stray back to suppository guns.

My only other smoothbore is a caplock 13ga SxS that I trust to a consistent 30yds with #6 shot on turkey, or 40yds with #4 buck, but with just a bead instead of rifle sights like the .54 has, I won't take a shot on deer/hogs past 40yds with it, and more like 25yds on turkey.