BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[jfrench]

Does anyone hunt bird with their rifles? I was thinking of using my .50 for fun this season. I bought the cards I need to cushion and hold the shot already. I just havn't gone out and tried it yet. I was thinking of taking the 12 guage out with it, and try to match the grouping on a poster board. I was concerned about rifling at first, but I saw how some shotguns are being fitted now with rifling tubes for a better spread.

[slickrock]

you'd be a lot happier with a smoothbore, a 62 cal trade gun would give you a nice 20 gauge for turkey, birds and bunnies.

[ADKBEAR]

I agree with slick, if your budget allows for a smoothbore? If not, pattern the rifle and see. The amount of shots you are going to take (not many) should not cause any proubs with the rifling?

The thing to remember is there is no choke. You choke a front stuffer by powder charge. The more powder the larger the pattern. So the less the powder the tighter the pattern. This kind of sounds wrong the first time you think about it but after a while it makes sence. Takes a little playing around to get an idea of what charge gives you what choke pattern.

[jfrench]

Thank you! I would never have thought about changing the amount of powder to control the spread. I was thinking of getting a smooth bore, but I can't this year. Buying my oldest son his first hunting rifle. He is excited.