The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Getting started in Flintlocks, Questions?

Poodleshooter · January 4, 2006, 04:11 PM

Smoothbores are for shot or round balls. They are generally very inaccurate. Rifled barrels deliver better accuracy with round balls (or sometimes conical projectiles). Rifled barrels cannot shoot shot very well.
Rifled barrels with a twist of 1 turn in 50-66" shoot round balls very well. Barrels with twists that are faster-1 turn in 48" down to 1 turn every 21" are better suited for conical or modern projectiles,but will also shoot round lead balls.

January 4, 2006, 04:11 PM	#2
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	Smoothbores are for shot or round balls. They are generally very inaccurate. Rifled barrels deliver better accuracy with round balls (or sometimes conical projectiles). Rifled barrels cannot shoot shot very well. Rifled barrels with a twist of 1 turn in 50-66" shoot round balls very well. Barrels with twists that are faster-1 turn in 48" down to 1 turn every 21" are better suited for conical or modern projectiles,but will also shoot round lead balls.