The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Smooth-bore vs. rifled

**4V50 Gary** · November 25, 2007, 04:15 PM

No first hand experience, but a smooth bore (I've read) can consistently hit a man sized target at 75 yards if the ball is tightly patched and the shooter learns how his smoothbore shoots. The guys at Colonial Williamsburg benchrested their Brown Bess muskets and with practice, were all able to hit a man sized target that was painted to represent a redcoat at 100 yards.

For deer, I wouldn't go beyond 50 yards with a smoothbore. Remember, the deer is a smaller target and because he's on all fours, you've got windage, but not elevation (over/under shooting) to contend with. BTW, historically the New England solution to accuracy was buck 'n ball (one big ball and three buckshots). They didn't have too many rifles in New England at the start of the Revolution.

November 25, 2007, 04:15 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	No first hand experience, but a smooth bore (I've read) can consistently hit a man sized target at 75 yards if the ball is tightly patched and the shooter learns how his smoothbore shoots. The guys at Colonial Williamsburg benchrested their Brown Bess muskets and with practice, were all able to hit a man sized target that was painted to represent a redcoat at 100 yards. For deer, I wouldn't go beyond 50 yards with a smoothbore. Remember, the deer is a smaller target and because he's on all fours, you've got windage, but not elevation (over/under shooting) to contend with. BTW, historically the New England solution to accuracy was buck 'n ball (one big ball and three buckshots). They didn't have too many rifles in New England at the start of the Revolution. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*