Contentment.

Britsmoothy wondered aloud on another thread why smoothbores are not more popular. I answered that I didn't know.

Thinking about it a bit more, I believe they are sort of "undiscovered" by the masses. If more would learn about and try them, I believe MANY would understand the attraction.

I spent a few hours with my 20 today.

My offhand use of it has improved by leaps and bounds. I was able to pull off groups of a couple inches at 35-40 yards. These were quite centered under where the turtle sight had been when the shot broke.

Many know I have a gong I like to abuse at every opportunity. Today, from offhand and hunting type positions my smoothy hammered it with every shot taken out to 70 yards. I'm tickled.

I took one shot from 100 yards. I held a sight picture that I thought would allow for the drop at that range. The gong was missed and I looked for evidence of a low hit in front of it. None was found. Maybe she shoots a little flatter than I would have imagined :hmm: . That's going to be next for me, figuring how to hold for longer shots. I would have been up for it today if the sun hadn't decided to disappear so early. Should be interesting...

To switch things up a bit at one point, I shot a shot load or two from 20 plus yards with varying shot charges. Each shot had me visualizing a big blue/white gobbler noggin. It was like being transported to April. Each pattern would have put Tommy's lights out including some one ounce loads.

Try that for versatility with a rifled gun.

I spent extra time tonight cleaning her. Not unlike rubbing a good beagle's ears after a day of running. :wink:

In a nutshell, I'm content. More so after shooting my flintlock smoothbore as compared to any other gun I own.

Best regards, Skychief

Well said Sir... :thumbsup:
:hatsoff:

:metoo:

Eeeeexactly :thumbsup:

70yds, wow :hatsoff:

B.

I've had a few smoothbores. I just don't enjoy shooting shot, at all. I have to use shot on turkeys by law, but that is one or two shots a year at most. Using shot on squirrels makes me feel like a bully.

Now, a well placed shot with a rifle... now I feel like I've done something.

Nice description of the usefulness and fun of smoothbores. I've been surprised how accurate my 20 gauge (bored out 50 caliber barrel) has been out to 50 yards. After reading your account it's time to try it at longer distances. Haven't done it in a while but I've had good results shooting trap with an old CVA cylinder bore 12 ga. SxS. I'm a decent wing shot but not exceptional. With the right load and making quick, closer shots it is darn effective.

Smoothbores will never replace my TVM flintlock or Crockett 32 percussion rifle, but they should get more use.

Jeff

Silly Goose, I thought the same as you when I was your age and had good eyes. I still have a .32 and a .36 that I hunt squirrels with but I also carry a smoothbore loaded with shot slung across my back. Squirrels is my favorite meat and I take em any way I can get em. :v

As that little tree rat is falling to the ground his last thought before starting his new life is :
”˜Thank God he used one ball instead of shot, I’d a hated becoming dinner from a shot load”

For years I was obsessed with shooting tight groups muzzleloader or modern. Shooting old smooth bore muzzleloader handguns loaded with sand at carpenter bees changed that. The old guns had rusty pitted bores. Sand cleaned and smoothed them up. Tried patched round balls and got hooked. Handgun or long gun,a smooth bore is just fun with shot or ball.

Well if you want versatility, the smoothbore is the way to go. With my 20 ga. tradegun I have taken bear, deer, turkey, duck, squirrel, quail, chukar, and rabbit. My tradegun is my go-to gun.

thus inspired, i may take out my 20 gauge”¦ once this darn rain lets up.

I'm on smoothbore only this year. Caywood trade gun. Dove season is only thing started so far but we connected. It was you, Brittsmoothy and a couple more that has inspired me for this year. Can't wait till everything else starts up.

McDonald said:

I'm on smoothbore only this year. Caywood trade gun. Dove season is only thing started so far but we connected. It was you, Brittsmoothy and a couple more that has inspired me for this year. Can't wait till everything else starts up.

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Hey McDonald, you are in for a treat with your endeavor! :thumbsup: Sounds like you're off to a great start too. Hopefully you'll keep us posted as the seasons arrive.

If you've not dropped in, I would encourage a visit to our own George's 'Bob's Blackpowder Notebook'. There you will read the best of essays, including an account of his journey using a smoothy exclusively for a full year. Great reading and where a lot of my inspiration came from.

Best of luck and enjoy that tradegun, Skychief

Skychief said:

McDonald said:

I'm on smoothbore only this year. Caywood trade gun. Dove season is only thing started so far but we connected. It was you, Brittsmoothy and a couple more that has inspired me for this year. Can't wait till everything else starts up.

Click to expand...

Hey McDonald, you are in for a treat with your endeavor! :thumbsup: Sounds like you're off to a great start too. Hopefully you'll keep us posted as the seasons arrive.



If you've not dropped in, I would encourage a visit to our own George's 'Bob's Blackpowder Notebook'. There you will read the best of essays, including an account of his journey using a smoothy exclusively for a full year. Great reading and where a lot of my inspiration came from.

Best of luck and enjoy that tradegun, Skychief

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Skychief, I too have used my French Fusil Smoothbore exclusively, getting ready for grouse and deer season. Where do I find "Bobs Blackpowder Notebook"? I did a search but it didn't turn up. Thanks.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bspen/

Inspired me too :hatsoff:

WOW! Thanks for the link. :bow: I knew of the page entitled 'smoothbore loads' but was woefully unaware of the rest of his website. Looks like lots of great info!

:thumbsup: yup, thanks. Looks like a lot of good reading there.

Yessir, I already have it saved on my computer! It has been a joy to read. I need to get it together where I can post pics.

This whole contentment business................After yesterdays eureka moment with my roundball shooting, I think I get it. :grin:

Me and my old companyaros were all smoothebore shooter,even in the rifle matches.We all just liked em better,sadly they've all gone under or are just too plain old to do it anymore.But I've taken a feller under my wing that's been taught the wonders of muskets,shoots a 56 inch barreled snaphuance he built,