Question Smooth bore or Rifled
- Thread starter GaryED50
- Start date
bamaranger
New member
flint v. percussion
A flintlock can be a quirky ignition system and you may find it frustrating if it is your first BP firearm. There are high quality flintlocks that are quick and reliable, but what yours would be, who can say?
I sold my last flinter a couple of years ago, and do not regret it. Percussion goes bang more reliably ( for me) and a rifled barrel provides sufficient accuracy and enough range to be satisfying every shot. Suit yourself, mine would be (and are) percussion and rifled.
A flintlock can be a quirky ignition system and you may find it frustrating if it is your first BP firearm. There are high quality flintlocks that are quick and reliable, but what yours would be, who can say?
I sold my last flinter a couple of years ago, and do not regret it. Percussion goes bang more reliably ( for me) and a rifled barrel provides sufficient accuracy and enough range to be satisfying every shot. Suit yourself, mine would be (and are) percussion and rifled.
Jim Watson
New member
I have often said that if I had lived in Colonial times, I would have selected a nice light smoothbore fusil or fowling piece. With my uncorrected eyesight, a heavy rifle would have been no improvement.
I have seen folks struggling with repro flintlocks, although one friend has good luck/careful management with them.
I have seen folks struggling with repro flintlocks, although one friend has good luck/careful management with them.
Rifled-Percussion, Bayonet to boot !!!
If your pocket-book can take the hit, look at the Pedersoli replicas. .....
Be Safe !!!
You are in line for a "rifled-Musket" which had a tremendous influence in the Civil-War. So, for that reason, I would go with as rifled, percussion. last month, I sold two original rifled-muskets that looked like they had been through a war;
If your pocket-book can take the hit, look at the Pedersoli replicas. .....
Be Safe !!!
Trust me I'd be buying a replica for sure. There's a lot to consider though. I started in black powder and had a 50 cal Hawken rifle before I quit for modern arms. KInda looking at the replica of the 1861 Springfiled. Dixie gun works has it in rifled or smooth boreYou are in line for a "rifled-Musket" which had a tremendous influence in the Civil-War. So, for that reason, I would go with as rifled, percussion. last month, I sold two original rifled-muskets that looked like they had been through a war;
If your pocket-book can take the hit, look at the Pedersoli replicas. .....
Be Safe !!!
Gary
Jim Watson
New member
A smooth bore "1861" is not a faithful replica. It might be one of those Indian (Hindoo) things.
Oliver Sudden
New member
You didn’t say what you intended to do with it. If it’s just something to buy then it wouldn’t make a difference.
"In the Sprit"?
That is where I have to make my measure or I wouldn't have anything to shoot.
Lately, I have not seen Dixie, selling junk and haven't always been able to say that .....
Be Safe !!!
Here we go again and you are correct but, but just for a moment ask yourself ;is it; "In the Spirit"?
That is where I have to make my measure or I wouldn't have anything to shoot.
Lately, I have not seen Dixie, selling junk and haven't always been able to say that .....
Be Safe !!!
Jim Watson
New member
If I want a smoothbore, there are repro 1842s.
Maybe a smoothbore Enfield like the British furnished their Indian troops.
Maybe a smoothbore Enfield like the British furnished their Indian troops.
big al hunter
New member
With a smooth bore you won't be able to tell if it's you or the gun that is having issues. Get a rifle, and have fun. That's just my opinion though. You might have fun trying to shrink the group size....or maybe shotgun pattern....from a smooth bore. To each his own. I would find it frustrating.
Flint
I started my way into the world of BP long arms with a CVA .50 carbine. Shot it for some years. Eventually, though I tried flintlocks.....have shot nothing but rock guns since. First was a Lyman GPR....a great rifle and accurate .....but heavy. Looking for something lighter I stumbled into the world of flintlock Fowlers......elegant, light, smoothbores.
I bought my first from Matt Avance at Tennessee Valley Muzzleloaders. 20 Gauge. While it was not as light as i had hoped. It served for a couple of years while Mike Brooks made me a 16 gauge gun with a 42” barrel that weighed only a tad over six pounds. It is reliable....goes bang every time that I load it properly. Takes grouse, pheasant, rabbits and loaded with a lead round ball at 16 per pound good for deer at reasonable range.
Target shooting......you will have more success with a rifle. The picture is three shots, benched, from that GPR that I mentioned. 100 yards, iron sights.
I started my way into the world of BP long arms with a CVA .50 carbine. Shot it for some years. Eventually, though I tried flintlocks.....have shot nothing but rock guns since. First was a Lyman GPR....a great rifle and accurate .....but heavy. Looking for something lighter I stumbled into the world of flintlock Fowlers......elegant, light, smoothbores.
I bought my first from Matt Avance at Tennessee Valley Muzzleloaders. 20 Gauge. While it was not as light as i had hoped. It served for a couple of years while Mike Brooks made me a 16 gauge gun with a 42” barrel that weighed only a tad over six pounds. It is reliable....goes bang every time that I load it properly. Takes grouse, pheasant, rabbits and loaded with a lead round ball at 16 per pound good for deer at reasonable range.
Target shooting......you will have more success with a rifle. The picture is three shots, benched, from that GPR that I mentioned. 100 yards, iron sights.
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I have had only one quality repro flint lock, a TC Hawkin. Seldom seen in Ohio where we were allowed percussion in deer season. Still PIA unless that’s your thing, it ain’t mine. The TC was quality piece but no Flinter likes the rain. I would opt for a cap lock rifle if I was buying my first. Also buy something deer legal in your state. Makes it easier to sell if you decide to get out. I dig out originals to trade into guns I do want. Signed originals have a big collector market. I bought a set of books on Ohio built guns for $140, worth twice the price.
What's your budget?
A Brown Bess is kind of a pricey critter. A Pedersoli runs $1139.99 at Cabela's. A kit runs about $100ish less. Dixie wants $1550.00 for a Bess Trade gun.
Traditions wants $879.00 for an 1861 percussion Springfield kit. Dixie wants $995.00 for a ready to shoot 1861.
"...with a smooth bore mean 50 yds or less..." 75 if you're adventuresome. snicker.
"...out to 200..." Hit an elephant at this distan....." Supposedly a good shot could go to 500 during your Civil War.
A Brown Bess is kind of a pricey critter. A Pedersoli runs $1139.99 at Cabela's. A kit runs about $100ish less. Dixie wants $1550.00 for a Bess Trade gun.
Traditions wants $879.00 for an 1861 percussion Springfield kit. Dixie wants $995.00 for a ready to shoot 1861.
"...with a smooth bore mean 50 yds or less..." 75 if you're adventuresome. snicker.
"...out to 200..." Hit an elephant at this distan....." Supposedly a good shot could go to 500 during your Civil War.
I may be in a position to afford $1500.00 by May of next year so that will give me at least one long gun.
Gary
A couple years ago I went with a smoothbore replica Brown Bess. I've read some say above that people have had trouble with a flintlock when they first start out but luckily I've had no problems. You get a good flint and mount it with a piece of leather and all you need is powder. Most Brown Bess will be in .75 caliber. I shoot both .69 and .75 balls with a lubed patch. Once you get your rifle get onto "Track of the Wolf" web site. They are great for everything you will need to get started.
I bought my Brown Bess from the Middlesex Village Trading Company. http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/ Their reproduction guns start at about $650 and go up from there. I've got hundreds of rounds through mine and it's still running strong.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
I bought my Brown Bess from the Middlesex Village Trading Company. http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/ Their reproduction guns start at about $650 and go up from there. I've got hundreds of rounds through mine and it's still running strong.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Jim Watson
New member
The local gunsmith's personal hobby is NMLRA. He showed a target shot with a smoothbore fusil at 25 yards. Looked about like a typical modern pistol group.