.54 caliber smoothbore questions

[MuskratMike]

I have never had, built or even shot a smoothbore (other than modern shotguns). I am considering a .54 caliber as I don't hunt turkeys (few in my area) or racoons and squirrels. I would be in all probability be shooting patched round balls at club shoots. I am thinking 1760's to 1790's era in the Virginia Kentucky or western N. Carolina architecture.
My real question is would a rifleman like me be better off with a "smooth rifle" or a traditional fowler? Is there any history of smooth rifles with only a front sight? I think most smoothbores of this era were larger bore than .54 but would like it in this caliber for the simple reason I can use it with my bag/horn set up I already have for my other .54's. Finally will a .530 round ball with a greased .018 patch work?

[martin9]

That patch and ball will be too big...at least in mine. without the cut rifling for the patch to compress into you need a smaller combo. I use .530 bare over powder with just an over shot card or .520 ball with a thin-ish patch...never measured it. If the club doesn't allow rear sights for smoothbore matches I'd go fowler...if they do I guess whichever style you prefer.

[smylee grouch]

  I was always under the impression that the rear sight on that smooth bore was what made it a " smooth rifle ".

[MuskratMike]

Smylee: I was under the impression that a smooth rifle was built on a rifle stock configuration as opposed to a more traditional fowler stock configuration but what I don't know about these will fill volumes of books. I also can't find any pictures of smooth rifles with no rear sight but my selection of books with these are slim.
Thanks for helping out.
Mike

[martin9]

I've got a few books and most of the KRA discs...I can't remember seeing a smooth rifle without a rear sight.

[Mike Brooks]

Get it in .55 or "true 28 bore". You can then use a .530 roundball.