Smoothbore question

[verzilli]

Hi all.  Does anyone make a smooth bore barrel for the T\C line (Renegade, etc) in a larger bore like 20 or 16 gauge?  Interested in doing some small game hunting.  Did see a 58 Cal smoothie (1858 Enfield) on line.  But that's a 24 gauge.  Too small for rabbits and squirrels?  Thanks for any input.

[pastorp]

TC made the new englanders in 12 ga.

 

[wolverine_1]

When I had Renegades, I bought a 12 ga after market barrel.

[Bugflipper]

Well the renegade was in .56 smoothbore as well, but again about 28 ga. cylinder bore. I have one and never have shot it. Just didn't seem like the range would be worth messing with to get it to pattern. Now you could maybe find one with a rusty old bore and have it reamed out to .62 smoothbore. That would be pretty close to a 20 ga and give you maybe another 10 yards or so over the .56. I'm just guessing a .56 would be good for about 25 yards or so from asking online. I can head shoot a squirrel at that distance so didn't see the need.

I finally found a reasonable new englander barrel in 12 ga after a year of looking. They are not so scarce, folks just want more for them than you could buy a whole rifle for in a rifle caliber. Heck you can sometimes find a decent used SxS for what some folks ask for those 12 ga barrels.
Good luck.

[crossxsticks]

I have a GM  62 cal.  smooth bore for renegade   ,  shoot   20 ga  wad and load   or ball and patch. it shoots shot  prolly 25 -30 yds  good.   

[coyotejoe]

Don't underestimate the renegade .56 smoothbore, they'll handle a 20 gauge load just fine. Really, 25 yards is about the max for any cylinder bore, loads heavier than one ounce really don't gain much in effective range because the pattern spreads and thins out so fast. If you really need more than 30 yards range you will need a choke bored barrel.

[Bugflipper]

I don't agree on the range Coyote Joe. If you mix and match components you can pattern cylinder bores right well from real close out to full choke range. It sounds unbeliveable but each of my SxS will pattern good from 5-40 and they didn't choke barrels when they were made. You just mainly have to cushion the shot enough and dial in the powder charge if you want further. For closer either heavier over shot cards or less cushion under the shot.
Have a good one partner.

[pastorp]

Each bore size seems to have a optimum charge & shot weight. I have a renegade 56 smoothie, never shot it yet but I have one. I've owned and hunted with 28ga shot shell guns. To me they didn't patteren as good with a 1oz, 20 ga, load. I liked the lighter shot charge I believe it was 3/4 oz.

A 20 shoots best to me with a 7/8 oz load and the 16 handles a 1 oz load just fine. I've shot a lot of heavier loads but for me I just get a little closer if I'm having trouble with the loading using.

Remember buying some 3&1/2" 12 gague shells once. I fired 2 that was enought for me in a light weight Benelli nova pump. All this magnum rage is not necessary and causes a lot of flinching.

[Bugflipper]

I've never shot a 3 1/2" either but I think they claim those benellis will put a worse whooping on you than a normal shotgun. A fellow I work with uses the nova and won't get the recoil system because he claims he likes hard kicking guns. Comes in severely bruised after duck season gets going. Hunts with a 7mm mag for Souther whitetail at under 200 yard ranges. Again because he likes hard kicking guns.

He had a problem with a 22 he said would not group for anything. It was a model 60 and an old one at that, that should have been pretty accurate. I had him shoot it and he pushed it a full 3" forward with each shot. I told him to fix it he would have to sell the hard recoiling guns he loved so much because he was flinching. The next day he came up with, he felt like the 22 didn't have enough power so he must be subconsiouly trying to help it to the target. I just told him he was a big wuss affraid of a 22. 

[bubba.50]

green mountain made a drop-in 62cal smoothbore to fit t/c guns with one inch barrels but you'll hafta find a used or new/old stock one 'cause they don't make'em anymore.

[Lonegun1894]

While I will give it to those of you that say the 20ga and bigger guns are more capable, I think some of you really sell the smaller guns short.  For example, I have a .54 smoothbore flinter with a 32" barrel and I wouldn't have any problem using it for things that most people wouldn't even consider.  Now when I first got it, I was thinking that it is a very limited weapon like many of you seem to be saying, but after working with it, developing loads, and hunting with it for a few years, well, it's not the gun, but the load you use in it.  So I don't blame y'all for having doubts because I did too, but if you give them a chance, the smaller bores actually have a lot to offer.

[Hank08]

I agree with Lonegun, I have 2 12s, 3 20s, and a flinter .52 with 36 barrel. I use 1 oz. of shot and 50 grs. 3F in the .52 and get exc. patterns.  I use a PRB and 70 grs 3F and have taken Deer at 125 yds. and rockchucks at 150 yds. With shot I'v taken grouse, chuckers, squirrels, rabbits out to 30 yds. I hardly ever shoot any of my smoothies  except the .52.  Look in the books you'll find there were a lot of 50s and 52s and even some 45s smoothbores back in the day. Love my 6 lb. .52. H08

[pastorp]

Hank, who made your 52 smoothie? Can you do a picture?