What would you do with a .56 smooth bore

So I am a fan of the Thompson Center Renegade. I have owned a couple .50 cal and .54. But I am still a rookie when it comes to all things Black Powder.

I occasionally see Smoothbore Renegades in .56 call come up for auction or at stores. What would these be for? Multiple projectiles, like a small shotgun? Short range roundballs?

I see them selling for sometimes cheap money, just don't know what I would do with one.

round ball patched.54 cal. Buck and Ball loads use for any game. Same as sighted smoothbore in traditional Flinters.

I had a T/C .56 Smoothbore in Mass way back in the early 80's, as that's what the state mandated for the blackpowder/primitive season back then. I used to amaze my brothers and friends -- and myself too! -- with the patched round ball accuracy of < 3" at 75 yards, shot off an informal rest. So yes, they can shoot rather well!

One time my buddy had me load it with buckshot as he wanted a pattern of "round ball hits" put into an old cowboy hat. But he insisted on doing the loading and he put a big gob of bore butter over the balls to keep them in position. I had tried to stop him, but...

Anyway, from 15 yards or so away, he got a nicely centered group of holes in his hat -- just like he wanted -- but there were many ugly black grease splots all over it too! :wink:

Old No7

For 60 bucks or so plus shippin’ you can send it to Mr. Hoyt to be rifled. Been thinkin’ of doin’ that with mine.

I have a spot that the bucks walk through in the early mornings...it is a bare knob off the edge of the forest and with a rock wall behind...I don't know why they like to come through there, but it is about 60 yards across from the wall to the edge so shots would be inside that...I'm thinking it would be fun to work it out onf the range and dial it in...

I've thought about getting one, I like the thought of a combo gun. In the spring around here turkey and bear are open at the same time, and in the fall deer and turkey are open at the same time. One could load up whatever load was needed for the primary critter being hunted, but switch out if the other was spotted.

Or you could have it threaded for 28 ga choke tubes as I did my 56 Fowler. I use bore size tubes for ball and a full tube for shot with 28 ga plastic wads. Incredible patterns and you can load up to 1 1/8 oz loads or more.

Idaholewis said:

Did you use Caywood By chance to thread your’s? I hear he is REALLY Good, It was his Website where i learned to Pattern my TC New Englander 12 Gauge Shotgun Barrel, I followed his simple steps and was AMAZED at the Patterns i was getting! At the time i also had a Benelli Super Nova 12 Gauge with 26” Barrel and Xtra Full “Kicks” Turkey Tube, This is no joke, My Little TC New Englander with Full Choke Patterned just as good as that Big Benelli!!

http://www.caywoodguns.com/

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No, I did it myself. Retired gunsmith. Not surprised at the patterns you describe. I recall WW Greener talking in his book about the shotgun trials in England annually. The muzzle loading guns al most always beat the breech loaders .
Muleskinner

Brayhaven,

So your saying that a 56 smooth bore is the same size as the 28 gauge? I never new that (Don't know much about BP shotguns) and have thought I would like to have a small gauge shotgun. I have no use for a 12 gauge and thought something in the 28 gauge would be cool.

ShawnT said:

Brayhaven,

So your saying that a 56 smooth bore is the same size as the 28 gauge? I never new that (Don't know much about BP shotguns) and have thought I would like to have a small gauge shotgun. I have no use for a 12 gauge and thought something in the 28 gauge would be cool.

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Yes, very close. 28 ga std bore is @.550-560. Very versatile gauge in a ML platform. Can be loaded down to 410 ga or up to light 12 ga, and for stationary things like turkey or squirrels where shot string length isn’t important, it’s deadly.

I've got a huge bag of circle fly cards if anyone wants to try some for fit.

Thanks for the info. I now have something else to keep an eye out for.

Brayhaven said:

Yes, very close. 28 ga std bore is @.550-560. Very versatile gauge in a ML platform. Can be loaded down to 410 ga or up to light 12 ga, and for stationary things like turkey or squirrels where shot string length isn’t important, it’s deadly.

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TC made .55 mold scarce I bought one from Kittery Trading post rough barrel I sent it to Bob Hoyt made 62 cal rifle 1in 66 twist I need to work up a load

Harleysboss said:

I've got a huge bag of circle fly cards if anyone wants to try some for fit.

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I've been wanting to try something to improve the accuracy of my .54 cal T/C's.
Do you think they might help ?
If so, I'd appreciate some.

They just might. Also you may want to try the wool wonder wads. send me a PM and I will send you a hand full.

Harleysboss said:

They just might. Also you may want to try the wool wonder wads. send me a PM and I will send you a hand full.

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Thank you sir.
I'm looking forward to trying them out.