Smooth bore or riffled?

Green Pea · 08-08-2006, 04:29 PM

I found a good deal on a Browning BPS that has an extra deer barrel with it. Turns out that it"™s a smooth bore and not riffled.

I don"™t know much about neither. This will be my first shot gun. Given the choice which style of barrel do you prefer?

petrey10 · 08-08-2006, 05:08 PM

rifled for sure.......

Paul L Mohr · 08-08-2006, 05:46 PM

How far do you want to shoot with it? A smooth bore will limit your range in most cases. Probably a max of 75 yards is your lucky, and the groups will be marginal at that. A rifled barrel should get you at least 3 inches at 100 yards, usually better in most cases.

I personally don't see where you would need an extra barrel if it was a smooth bore. Unless the bird barrel were a fixed full choke.

Paul

Rebel Hog · 08-08-2006, 05:50 PM

Rifled.

Dnk · 08-08-2006, 09:15 PM

Seventy five yards is pretty much it for most smooth bores. My old Model 37 Ithaca Deer Slayer(bought in 1977) is a heavier barrel and the gun smith that put on a scope mount told me that it the barrel is tappered along the whole length of the barrel. The scope made no significant difference. I can keep the best fitting slug (brenneke) within a six inch circle at around 90 yards.
Roger, if you will NEVER ever shoot beyond 75 yards buy it. The deer will drop like a rock. Not much out there likes a .69 inch hole put it it. If you think there is the smallest chance you may shoot at a deer beyond that, look for a rifled barrel.