You can only have one muzzeloader and your heading to the hills

[J.D.]

the 62 smoothbore is a VERY versatile weapon....there is no other choice.....imho.. RC :thumbsup: :applause:

Oh yes there is. An 11 gauge bess. If I should come face to face with anything that will eat me, I want the biggest, most accurate, most reliable, and the fastest loading ML around. IMHO, that's the bess. :blah:
J.D.

 

[roo shooter]

With a smooth bore wouldnt you run into the problem of having a gun loaded with shot when you need a ball?

 

[BS]

If I could only have one, it would be a straight rifled .69 cal. :blah:

Bird shot or big balls, what a combination! :grin:

 

[Headhunter]

Even though it would be the first time this rifle was ever in the mountains and never really had any mountain experience. And basically was never used by mountain men,

I would go with a 50 Cal Hawken. It might do well if given a chance.

Headhunter

 

[Sharp Shooter]

With a smooth bore wouldnt you run into the problem of having a gun loaded with shot when you need a ball?

That is what I was thinking but I would keep it loaded with a ball. I do not like the smooth bore because you can only shoot 50yds.

 

[bnail]

Good to see a bunch of smoothbore enthusiasts answering a rifle question :rotf:

I beg your pardon mister, I believe the thread asked for the most Versatile frontstuffer,
Whick clearly makes this a smoothbore thread, you sir are out of line! :winking:
28 bore smooth rifle BTW.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Good to see a bunch of smoothbore enthusiasts answering a rifle question :rotf:

I beg your pardon mister, I believe the thread asked for the most Versatile frontstuffer,
Whick clearly makes this a smoothbore thread, you sir are out of line! :winking:
28 bore smooth rifle BTW.

I changed it and instead of rifle I said muzzleloader.

 

I have never gone anywhere wih only one gun in my life!!!

There is no WHAT IF! I carry more than one to the grocery store!

Lewis and Clark carried 15 rifles for 15 men. They carried some muskets but they were considered "backup guns", not the primary weapons of the expidition. I think I remember them furnishing Carbineu with a smoothbore fussil, but you know what they thought of him!

 

[RC]

Good to see a bunch of smoothbore enthusiasts answering a rifle question :rotf:

I beg your pardon mister, I believe the thread asked for the most Versatile frontstuffer,
Whick clearly makes this a smoothbore thread, you sir are out of line! :winking:
28 bore smooth rifle BTW.

I changed it and instead of rifle I said muzzleloader.

:hmm: YOU thinkin on a political future??? see what answers ya get an change the question? what's next? the ole" while my intention was..." line? :shocked2: sorry, jes a thought...dang good question.! figures roy was proofreadin...always tryin to start somethin... :rotf: :blah: RC

 

[Roy]

Good to see a bunch of smoothbore enthusiasts answering a rifle question :rotf:

I beg your pardon mister, I believe the thread asked for the most Versatile frontstuffer,
Whick clearly makes this a smoothbore thread, you sir are out of line! :winking:
28 bore smooth rifle BTW.

I changed it and instead of rifle I said muzzleloader.

:hmm: YOU thinkin on a political future??? see what answers ya get an change the question? what's next? the ole" while my intention was..." line? :shocked2: sorry, jes a thought...dang good question.! figures roy was proofreadin...always tryin to start somethin... :rotf: :blah: RC

Yeah I always seem to be out of line anyway :haha:

 

[RC]

naw, you just pay real close attention :winking: ...an in yer line of work that's a good thing! :thumbsup: course as a political figure..yer over qualified... :blah: RC

 

[roundball]

"...I do not like the smooth bore because you can only shoot 50yds..."

Where in the world did you come up with that (incorrect) gem of information???

 

[RC]

"...I do not like the smooth bore because you can only shoot 50yds..."

Where in the world did you come up with that (incorrect) gem of information???

:hmm: the inside of the barn was only 150 feet? :winking: RC or........needs work!

 

[bnail]

Yeah I always seem to be out of line anyway

Better "Out of Line" than "In-Line" :winking:

 

[nchawkeye]

Oh...THOSE hills....My .54 flinter...

 

[hawkeye1755]

I would take a cal.60 rifle bored 'straight-cut'.
They were more accurate than smoothbores;almost accurate as spiral-grooved rifles but easier to load and they can handled roundball,shot or buck-and-ball loads.
So actually the right rifle,IMO. :grin:
I hope that my next Virginia Rifle had such an barrel.
:hatsoff:

 

[Sharp Shooter]

"...I do not like the smooth bore because you can only shoot 50yds..."

Where in the world did you come up with that (incorrect) gem of information???

Well how far do you limit yourself with your smoothie? From what I get they are only accurat out to 50yds. How far doese everyone shoot thier smoothbore?

 

[brian turpin]

My 58 caliber flintlock Leman. It might be rough on small game, but I like the idea of that big old ball.
Brian

 

[Moose_Meat]

.58 Hawken, cap lock, patched RB.

It will knock the life out of just about anything.

 

[J.D.]

Well how far do you limit yourself with your smoothie? From what I get they are only accurat out to 50yds. How far doese everyone shoot thier smoothbore?

As far as necessary. 12" high X 7 " wide, steel targets used in military matches are regularly hit with the bess at 65-75 yards, volley fire, off hand.

Trigger control while firing on command is akin to a controled jerk and is usually considered to be much less accurate than would be encountered when target shooting or hunting. However, those targets are hit with some consistentcy at those ranges.

I seldom shoot the bess beyond 75 yards, but friends who do, can shoot respectable groups at 100 yards.

I have also heard reports of very good groups reputed to have been shot at 200 yards with a smoothbore. I am very skeptical about those claims, BTW.

Good accruacy can be had at 100 yards, and probably farther, with a smoothbore, especially if it carries a rear sight. Some do.

Practice is the key.

As to being loaded with shot and in need of a round ball. In an emergency, just drop a ball on top of the shot.

Recoil may be heavier than normal, but it would be better than the alternative. :winking:

If time is not a serious factor, the over shot wad can be pulled, the shot poured out, and a ball loaded on top of the existing over powder wad. The process should not take more than a coupla minutes, if that.
J.D.