Whats the ideal smoothbore???

[Mark Nasim]

Ok,
you got only one shot at this and you want to do it right.If you were going to have a smoothbore built, what size/gauge would you choose and length of barrel?
Considering its going to be your only smoothbore, what would the best all around ideal smoothbore be for hunting anything east of the Mississippi.
I am looking for an all around good caliber that is good for fowl,especially turkey and larger game such as deer and possibly bear.

 

[Mike Brooks]

For a hunting gun I'd go with a english fowler with a Chambers "Virginia" lock with a 16, 14 or 12 bore with around a 44" barrel. I'd stay away from the military guns because they don't handle as well. Same with most of the french guns that are currently on the market.
If I was going to hunt all fowl I'd get a little jug choke put into it.
I'd have included the 20 bore, but with your intrest in fowl I think you'd be happier with a little bigger bore. It would still do OK tho.

 

[hawk]

I agree with mike , for birds on the wing and turkeys bigger bore is more lead .
the military stuff will be a couple or so more pounds to heaft around , it works but not as gracefull .
I wouldn't go smaller then 16 bore, and 36" of barrel will be better than 44" in thick bush.
I like a long barrel for round ball and choked for turkey.
why not get two guns?

:thumbsup:

 

[CrackStock]

20 gauge is ample for all game in the East. I would consider a Fusil de chasse (often erroneously referred to as a Tulle)

Jackie Brown used to make a Carolina smoothbore which was a fair representation of a gun from Virginia through the Carolinas.

I have 2 smoothbores and one is the Fusil de Chasse and it works well, but is a bit rough on the cheek. The Carolina might be a bit more pleasant in that respect.

Where in SC are ya -- might arrange a test shoot of mine.

CS

 

[Maestro]

Here is a link to a page from Bob Spencer's Black Powder Notebook that's referred to a lot around here (he's a fan of the 20 gauge (so am I)):

The Versatile Smoothbore
:hatsoff:

 

[Tommy Bruce]

I'd have to combine the best of both worlds and go with a smoothrifle. Shumway shows enough rifles in his two volumns of RCA with oct to round "smoothbores" for them to be common. The rifle sights would give you a little more accuracy with a round ball and you still have the option of shot with the smoothbore. Chambers also makes a kit for one of these. Bottom line shoot what's comfortable for you. You're likely to get 50 different answers from 50 different folks and you can't really say one's wrong and one's right. I could also make a a case for carrying a brown bess with the capability of using a bayonet to hold my candle or dig a fire pit or roasting a hot dog!!!! :haha: :haha: :haha:

 

[dodgecity]

North Star West has some nice offerings. In addition to the regular northwest trade gun, they have the early English style, and a more ornate and finely finished chief's grade. As an alternative, Pedersoli also has a nice Indian trade gun. I have a .62 (20 gauge) fusil de chasse with 42" barrel that is probably my favorite smoothbore. I have taken both turkey and deer with it, and, it is ideal for that kind of hunting. I also have a 12 gauge northwest trade gun with a 32" barrel that is awesome for grouse and pheasant hunting. I've taken a few deer with it too. If I were to combine the 2 into one ideal smoothbore for hunting, it would be a quality 16 gauge trade gun with a 36" barrel. Light, fast, and plenty of punch for deer bear, or boar, and with shot, well, a 16 gauge is a 16 gauge, and it don't get any better than that.

 

[Bearbait2]

"well, a 16 gauge is a 16 gauge, and it don't get any better than that."

Amen! :thumbsup:
Best Wishes

 

[pennsyltucky]

the cumberland smoothbore from early rustic arms in .75 is as good as u can get for a decent amount of $$$ in my opinion. thats what i'll be orderin come spring

http://www.earlyrusticarms.com/pricesanddescriptions.htm