Smoothbore choice

[James]

What size would you choose if intended use is squirrels, grouse, coyotes or other smallish game?  The barrels I have for future builds are all rifled with the exception of a 10 gauge for turkey.  I'm thinking I need to work a smoothbore in there.  So what say you- 28 gauge, 20...?

[smylee grouch]

You could use the 10 bore for the small game and just reduce the powder/shot charges if it still patterns ok.

[hanshi]

I'm a confirmed 20ga fan.  My flint smoothbore is 20ga and takes deer down DRT.  With shot loads it patterns very well for a cylinder bore. 

[axelp]

The 10 barrel should work for all the above.

I do like my 20g Chambers PA fowler thought.

K

[James]

I didn't know if the 10 would be over doing things, but hadn't considered that I'd have the ability to mess with the load as compared to my modern 10 gauge where what comes out of the shell box is what you get.  I also might be looking for rationalization for another gun.  Just saying...

[smylee grouch]

My old boss used to say some is good, more is better. A 10 and 20 would cover just about everything.   

[bob in the woods]

The Chambers Penn. fowling gun is available in a number of different bore sizes. I have a 20 and a 28
They are wonderful guns, however when I finished their Officer's Fusil, I knew I had found the sweetest gun I've ever shouldered.  If I remember correctly, it was Don Getz who recommended it as his favourite, and it is a keeper.

[James]

My old boss used to say some is good, more is better. A 10 and 20 would cover just about everything.   

That's what I'm talking about   

[James]

The Chambers Penn. fowling gun is available in a number of different bore sizes. I have a 20 and a 28
They are wonderful guns, however when I finished their Officer's Fusil, I knew I had found the sweetest gun I've ever shouldered.  If I remember correctly, it was Don Getz who recommended it as his favourite, and it is a keeper.

I just went to their site and saw the photo they have of the Officer's Fusil and I like the look of it, a contender I think.

[Brokennock]

The 10 can be loaded differently for all the game you mentioned. I have two 20 gauge flinters that I love. Works for everything from squirrels to turkey and deer. Someday I'd like a 16 gauge English or Colonial fowling piece. Don't rule out the 16.

Of course, do check your local game regulations. A 28 gauge would be great for small game and probably good with round ball for deer, but here, it would be illegal for turkey.

[bob in the woods]

My 10 bore Chambers New England fowling gun is almost in constant use.  However, it is a long and somewhat larger firearm...not overly large i.e. excess wood, but the size reflects the bore size. It has taken everything from turkeys, ducks , geese,  to deer, and bear. I never was able to connect on partridge with it.  The  action is too fast and I'm too slow.  That is where the 20 bore Officer's Fusil shines.  It is up and on target in a heartbeat.
Think about what and how you will use your gun before making a decision. I love my 10, but that fusil is the bees knees on partridge.

[hanshi]

There's no such thing as "too much gun" unless it's too much for the shooter.  As long as it makes the game dead, it does its job.  Like bob in the woods said, his 20ga fusil simply fits him perfectly and that's the approach that makes sense.

[Mike Brooks]

I have owned 28's, 20's, 18's, 14's, 12's, 11's and 10's. They all had their uses. 18-12 were good bird and clays guns. 11 and 10 were good for turkeys. the small bores shot ball well and sitting game with shot.
   Barrel length and over all weight and balance are probably more critical than bore size in most cases. If a gun don't fit you must quit....or some such nonsense....or maybe that had something to do with gloves and acquit..... who knows?

[Daryl]

I do wish this one was a 10 or a 12.  That would give me more barrel size to have a 14 bore or 12 bore as a rifled barrel replacement.