Versatility of a smoothbore or accuracy of a rifle

[Sharp Shooter]

What would you prefer and why? The versatility of a smooth bore where you could shoot roundball for big game and shot for birds or a rifle where you can only shoot roundball but out to 100yds +.

 

[mommicked]

In the swamps, marshes and thickets of the south east, the smoothbore's versatility, plus the variety of edible game, from dove to(in years long past) elk, the smoothbore won hands down. A dubbl burril gave folks even more options, with having a large game and small game both loaded at all times. The waterfowl here alone required a smoothbore. The smoothbore must've worked well on elk, because there weren't any left here when cartridge rifles came about. Today, if you NEED a rifle to hunt here, you are in a clear cut, burned area, body of water, farm field, or some other man made area. The woods are just too thick to justify 'needing' a rifle.

(That said, I own more rifles than any other type of gun).

 

[Maestro]

I guess I prefer the smoothbore for just the reason you mentioned - its' versatility in taking any game animal I'm likely to hunt.

 

[tg]

I prefer the smoothbore as there is seldom a chance to shoot past 50 yds were I hunt so the rilfes extra range has little value, and we should consider how the 100yd thing really fits into Ml rifle hunting with the various calibers and open sights and the skills of the average hunter, I often suggest a 75 or less limit on range, based on stories I have heard over the years and things I have seen while ML hunting.

 

[roundball]

The Versatile Smoothbore, by Bob Spencer

[url] http://members.aye.net/~bspen/SmoothboreLoads.html[/url]

 

[Rebel]

Smoothbore. I hardly ever shot a deer much past 50-60 yds, even when i used to use a centerfire.

 

[stalkerhawk]

I'm not sure."Yet". I just got a .62 cal gm flint lock drop in last week,and a T/C flint lock on the way.With all the postings I had to try it.I do love versatility so I think I'm really going to like the smoothie.I have some rounds for it and let me tell you its a big step up from my .50 cal and .32 cal.I'm a bowhunter by nature,and shoot whats termed as primitive equipment.So 20 yrds is a long shot for me. Being able to take big game between 50-75 yards WOW :shocked2: thats along way out.It'll be hard to break the habit of thinking I have to get in so close.thats my 2 cents

 

[Vaino]

Versatility of one gun is a "vague" concept and would this one gun be used on multiple species of game in a single outing or would it be used to hunt a specific game one day and another on a different day? In other words, w/ a smoothbore, no other other arms are req'd? I imagine this is possible, but we all know the saying...."jack of all trades, master of none". While stationed in Austria I saw the most versatile gun in the world which they call the "Vierling" and which means a gun w/ 4 barrels, 2 of which are usually a 20 and 12 gage and the 2 under bbls are one each for a varmint and a big game cartridge. What more could a fella ask for?......Fred

 

[paulvallandigham]

A couple of boys to carry that gun, Fred? :rotf: :surrender:

 

[Vaino]

Some hunters prefer the "Drilling"
[3 bbls}, usually 2 shotgun bbls w/ a rifle bbl cradled in between. These can be managed by only one person......Fred

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Where can I get a GM 20ga drop in barrel?

 

[cptleo1]

I might have to go with Fred here about versatility.

Most hunts are game specific.

Squirrels
Deer
Birds
Rabbits

Are usually targeted as what we are after on a particular hunt.

A smoothie loaded with bird shot is worthless when the buck of a life time steps out.

A smoothie with a PRB in it just just does not do it when you spy a covey of quail scoot under a bush on the way out from your deer stand.

I have my Tulle for about 2 1/2 years and love it
BUT truth be known it is a compromise gun.

It does it all, but, other guns hunt specific animals allot better.

My peep sighted .54 Hawkin is BAD MEDICINE for deer out to 100 yds.

My little Crockett is bad to the bone on tree rats.

I have used an English fowler on quail over dogs and it is a much more nimble weapon than the Tulle will ever be.

That being said - I LOVE the Tulle and it probably would be the LAST gun I would ever sell.

I think the Tulle's really shine as a first BP gun.

Especially for your first build.

If you have a smoothie you are ready for anything.

If you have a .62 Jaeger, a .50 Becks, a .36 Isaac Haines, and an English fowler You are still ready for anything it just costs a BUNCH more.

I know the saying "Beware of the man with one gun"
and I have had it proven on trail walks over and over again.

I would offer that the BP bug rarely bites just once.

Trust me the longer you make smoke the more guns you end up with, and almost all of them will have over-lapping abilities.

The above mentioned .54 @ 30 yds. Is as good a squirrel rifle as the Crockett it just gets embarrassing explaining where the heads went!!!!

I hunt out of town allot and the Tulle always goes, in theory as a "back up gun”. In reality it usually ends up getting used - CUZ I have absolute faith that it can get it done (with limitations).

So now I have come full circle and it boils down to:

Shoot what you like
And
Like what you shoot

Leo

 

[Stumpkiller]

Rifle.

For 15 years I hunted mostly with a Kit Ravenshear Bess (a 16 bore Light Infantry fusil). Certainly adequate for deer, but I never could hit squat on moving small game and I messed 'em up potting 'em while they sat.

If I was sustenance hunting it seems there's always going to be shot in when you need a ball, and a ball in when you need shot; really hampeting the versatility claim.

With a .54 I can tone it down with 42 gr loads and it's on at 30 yards for headshooting squirrels or bunnies, and a full house load (84 gr) is 1-1/2" high at 50 yards with the same fixed sights; meaning a center chest hold on whitetails is fine for any sensible distance.

If I was sustenance hunting I would have no qualms about potting grouse on the ground or sitting waterfoul, so wingshooting is not a priority. (I have a 28" bbl, 12 ga fowler for that and it swings ever so much better than a 42" Bess). More likely I'd set wire snares and save the powder for other uses. :winking:

For the sport shooting I do It's either small targets, so a rifle is better. Paper targets, ditto. Or deer in cover where the window may be small and I want a very deliberate, well aimed shot . . . again the rifle.

I haven't been attacked by savages in ages so speedy volly fire is not needed. With prelubed patches & balls in a loading block I'm just as fast in reloading thye rifle as I was the Bess. I use a loose enough fit that I don't need a short starter or to wipe more than once in ten shots.

 

[Runner]

My shotgun is less than 5 pounds. It is capable of cleanly harvesting any critter that walks on the continent or flies over it. With a hand full of ball, and a snake of shot, I am well armed for anything it might be needed for. A double being the perfect gun in my opinion.
My 36 is a great small game gun with ball. It is a tack driver if the operator does his part. With a hand full of maxi's and a hand full of 000 buckshot, I am well prepared for anything I may face. It isn't legal for deer most places.
My fifty is legal and all of the above applies to it.
A light handling shotgun is a joy. Once you do the work to pattern and regulate one, they quickly become a favored friend. They shoot balls big enough that I don't want someone throwing them at me! Very nice for those times when griz threaten. With light loads, doves are possible. On a lot of the public areas in Mo., no single projectile weapons are allowed. Even my pellet rifles are banned there. As a modern day one gun solution for around here, the shotgun wins hands down.
A trapper would have been eating the tastiest parts of the animals he trapped. The firearm would have been a last resort weapon for him. In that case, a rifle makes sense.
If you live where it is open ground and need longer distance caps, the rifle wins again.
If you were a settler living and hunting on the fringes of the settlements a few years back, I would want the smoothbore.
Much depends on where you live, what you hunt, and your persona if you have one.

 

[Greenmtnboy]

45 cal Tvm tennessee with a 42 inch barrel flinter. I can head shoot sm game and take a elk if need be. It's what I trekk with. I live in CO. even the dark timber is more open than the 50yrd mountain country I grew up in.
It's regonal fer sure. When I go north to northern MT or back home to VT it's a 62 smoothie for me. I get two inch groups with RB at 50 yrds. good enough for the girls I go out with.
:haha: