100 yard accuracy difference between smoothbore and rifle?

But the projectiles have rifling/spin built into them.

Fins.

Making them much more accurate.

64Springer said:

Your humor detection meter is functioning properly.


At no time would I entertain using a smoothbore at 100 yards.

Buy the rifle and feel secure in knowing that you'll actually hit what you're aiming at.

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I wasn't sure when I read that if you were serious or not. The other day I got blistered by forum member for, it seems, just waking up that day. So I wasn't going to challenge it.

When I was going to target matches regularly, there were a few guys who regularly beat most of the riflemen with their smooth bores. even out at 100yds. Those guys generally shot one gun, and practiced frequently. But as I said "a few" Now, part of their accuracy at 100 yds, was their superb rock steady offhand hold. An advantage that disappeared when moving to the bench. However, I did once encounter a guy that shot smooth bore off a bench and he was as good as most riflemen. His gun had pins sticking out both sides of the muzzle and he shot over size naked round ball that was pressed into place with a lever gizmo that hooked to the barrel pins. But the loading procedure and excessive wiping between shots to get a clean barrel, made him very slow.

64Springer said:

Smoothbore guns don't have rifling. Which cuts down on friction. And allows the bullet to travel down range with less resistance. Making smoothbore guns much more accurate at greater distances.

As for rifled barrels, I don't know why anyone even bothered. All they do is increase loading time. And they're in no way superior to smoothbore accuracy. Not to mention the fact that the rifling scars up a perfectly smooth projectile.

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This comment has to be tongue-in-cheek, right? But for hunting up to 50 yards you should be good. Hunting paper, which is all I do, it's all fun!

spinner1 said:

I have a .50 cal. Bucks Co. "smooth rifle" (smoothbore with rifle sights) that I used to shoot monthly with a local club. Cutting cards, short range targets, and large longer range targets are quite possible with the smoothie. A lead ball is not uniform and is gonna wabble as it travels. Rifling gives a spin that creates an artificial stability, thus providing much greater accuracy as distances increase. One thing I would recommend when shooting a smoothbore: Buy swaged bullets - they are much more uniform that cast balls that have the remnants of a sprue and parting lines from the mold. As there's no spin, the uniformity of the bullet is important. A well-lubed, tight patch is also important - and keeps the barrel clean between shots.View attachment 221765

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I want this gun!!!

springfield art said:

This comment has to be tongue-in-cheek, right? But for hunting up to 50 yards you should be good. Hunting paper, which is all I do, it's all fun!

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I refer you to posts 3 and 4, Sir.

1911tex said:

Believe it or not...there are military weapons today that are portable, muzzle loading and smooth bore in the vast majority. And they are used everyday in battle...even today! Guess before looking at answer below:







Mortars!

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Ya got me!
And I was a 19D.
Shame on me.

64Springer said:

I refer you to posts 3 and 4, Sir.

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I see! Thanking you!

There’s a good reason Smoothbores use Rifle targets at 1/2 the distance.

Fin Stabilized, discarding sabot 105 mm

I've seen and heard of people getting 100 yard accuracy from a smoothbore. I imagine it takes a ton of practice, load development, and a well-built gun.

With my ML rifle, I can buy Walmart ammunition and get 100 yd accuracy easily, with only a few practice shots.

About 1600 there was a international match shooting yard square targets, 805 feet, about 270 yards for smoothbore over 350 out to 400 at a five foot target for rifles

I've never worried that much about accuracy of my smoothbore. It has just always put balls close enough together to satisfy me. My smoothbore has killed deer with great accuracy and finality. While a smoothbore will never stand toe to toe with a rifle there have been a few shooters who, with a fine smoothbore and excellent shooting skills, have stacked balls at 100 yards rifle style. But if it's accuracy I have to have I'll grab my rifle.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHA