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?

rifled for sure.......

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

Rifled.

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.