What is your smallest caliber/gauge smoothie

[ppg1949]

While in another thread about using shot in a 32 caliber, it got me wondering about small bore smooth rifles and shotguns. My smallest is a 52 caliber/ 32 gauge percussion shotgun. My normal load is 60 grains 2f with 7/8 shot or heavy patched .490 round ball. The barrel is thick but not rifle thick. And it is the octagon to round style barrel. So what have you got and what kind of load do you use?

 

[Treestalker]

I do not use it yet as I have not built it yet but I have breeched and drummed a 9mm (.355) full tapered slim octagon smoothbore barrel off of a Spanish cheapo Kentucky rifle. I understand 9mm smooth barrel guns are popular in Europe (I guess for shooting starlings and packrats). The barrel is 29" long and tapers from 13/16" atf to 5/8" at the muzzle. This I plan to fabricate into a small back action percussion half stock 'monkey' gun or even a long barreled 'specimen' gun with a pistol grip stock. In have no idea how well this thing will work, being an open choke, but I bet it will be fun, and run Parks and Wildlife dept. crazy trying to pigeon hole it into an obscure classification of legalese. I have in my tuteledge built ml shotguns in the 41-45 caliber range and was surprised at their power. but this will be a new low, so to speak. It is as small a bore as I would recommend for 'little edibles' as Dr. Sam Fadala would say.

 

[spudnut]

I just use tow when dealing with loose shot. I roll up paper cartridges with a measure of shot, wad over powder with tow, tear open paper and dump the shot in, then wad the paper over the shot. Sometimes lube both to keep fowling down.loose shot I just wad with tow top and bottom,

 

[rp77469]

My smallest is 0.751. I have a Pedersoli Bess and an original English double. Both are shooters. I realize 11 gauge is not small, but it's all I've got.

 

[denster]

28Ga. flint on an English style. I use a 9/16 punch for over powder wads from 10oz leather and overshot from poster board. 55gr 2f and 5/8oz of#6 shot is death on tree rats.

 

[Treestalker]

My smallest is 0.751. I have a Pedersoli Bess and an original English double. Both are shooters. I realize 11 gauge is not small, but it's all I've got.

The bores in your guns are small if your keeping megatherium out of your garden.

 

[rp77469]

The bores in your guns are small if your keeping megatherium out of your garden.

Done wiped 'em all out in this neck of the woods.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Ok, I had to look that one up.
Gonna have to buy a cannon I guess.....

 

[denster]

The bores in your guns are small if your keeping megatherium out of your garden.

Nope you only want to scare them off. Remember if you kill it you have to dispose of it. More work than I care to engage in!

 

[Treestalker]

RP77469 Yeah they claim they're are extinct here too, but I seen the tracks!-----Denster, you're right. Nothing like burying a four ton guinea pig!

 

[tenngun]

A .54 for me. Ball is 220 grains, so I call it a 32 bore.

 

[ppg1949]

I do not use it yet as I have not built it yet but I have breeched and drummed a 9mm (.355) full tapered slim octagon smoothbore barrel off of a Spanish cheapo Kentucky rifle. I understand 9mm smooth barrel guns are popular in Europe (I guess for shooting starlings and packrats). The barrel is 29" long and tapers from 13/16" atf to 5/8" at the muzzle. This I plan to fabricate into a small back action percussion half stock 'monkey' gun or even a long barreled 'specimen' gun with a pistol grip stock. In have no idea how well this thing will work, being an open choke, but I bet it will be fun, and run Parks and Wildlife dept. crazy trying to pigeon hole it into an obscure classification of legalese. I have in my tuteledge built ml shotguns in the 41-45 caliber range and was surprised at their power. but this will be a new low, so to speak. It is as small a bore as I would recommend for 'little edibles' as Dr. Sam Fadala would say.

Treestalker, your super sub bore sounds interesting. I've seen a few 9mm on auction sites but never knew anyone that had one. Keep us posted when you get it finished.

 

[ppg1949]

A .54 for me. Ball is 220 grains, so I call it a 32 bore.

tenngun, is it a 54 smooth rifle? If so did you have it bored out or did it come that way?

 

[tenngun]

Yes, half oct barrel. Got parts from Sitting fox.

 

[ZionHeritageFarm]

I have a Pedersoli Frontier flintlock that I bought as a .32. The bore was badly rusted so after a trip to Bobby Hoyt it is now a .40 smooth rifle. It shoots both .390 round ball and shot.
I also used to have a 9mm unmentionable. Known as a garden gun. It was fun but pretty short range and expensive to shoot.

 

[Treestalker]

Treestalker, your super sub bore sounds interesting. I've seen a few 9mm on auction sites but never knew anyone that had one. Keep us posted when you get it finished.

Phil, it will have to wait 'til I finish a couple of other projects, but I'll try to keep a post up when I get started on it. Thanks for your post, Geo.

 

[1950DAVE]

.27 cal. To be my tree rat gun. Still got some refining to do on it. Bored and reamed .22 Mossberg barrel self engineered lock. Been shot a few times but still not happy with lock geometry.
Dave

 

[RiverRat]

I have a Jim Chambers smooth rifle kit in 54cal or 28 ga. I shoot 80gr of 3f under a .520 rb, and a .015 denim patch. Very accurate.

 

[Mark Herman]

I have an original 28 gauge smooth rifle.

 

[ppg1949]

I have an original 28 gauge smooth rifle.

Mark, any pictures?