New smoothbore

[Johnny Reb]

I brought this home a few weeks ago. It's a Centimark 62 cal smoothbore, she is a real joy to shoot, It is going to take some time getting used to no rear sight. I plan on using it for turkey and deer this year. any input on smothbores will be greatly appreciated this is my first.

[Adam Helmer]

Johnny Reb,

WOW! That is a beautiful flintlock. Is that a curly maple stock?

I have a .50 smoothbore T/C flinter that likes 75 grains of 2F Goex and patched round ball or the charger set at 75 grains of #6 shot here in the PA hills. I have surprisingly good roundball accuracy out of my smoothbore out to 75 yards; all hits at that distance are in the 5-inch bullseye.

Since your smoothbore is .62 caliber and the 20 gauge shotgun is a nominal .615" bore, you may be able to use modern plastic 20 gauge wads for your shot loads. That will simplify things and shot collar wads may give you some degree of choke. As for roundball, find a .60 or .61 ball and tweek with .010 or .015 patches. I would see if a rear sight could be dovetailed to give you a consistent aiming point. My .50 smoothbore barrel has the typical T/C front and rear sights which helps with roundball shooting.

Good shooting!

Adam

[wrenchman]

real nice gun have you had a chance to shoot it yet

[Johnny Reb]

Wrenchman
I have got to shoot it 3 times, I'm just getting used to what she likes. Last week I had my best group at 25 yds, 4 shots in a 3" circle. I know I will improve, I'm still trying to get a consistent sight picture without a rear sight.

Adam
I am going to try and master this smoothbore without a rear sight, but if that doesn't workout at least I know that I can have the barrel dovetailed to accept a rear sight.

[popplecop]

Looks very similar to a 20 ga. trade gun I had years ago. Your stock is a lot nicer. Mine was quite accurate with a load of 70 grs. of 2f and a patched 20 ga. ball, for the life of me don't remember ball diameter. Always tried to keep the ball diameter as close to bore diameter as possible with a thin linen patch. Shot one deer with it at about 60 yds. standing, shot it through the front shoulders and anchored it right there, a large doe. Sorry to say I let it get away from me years ago. You have a beauty, you'll get the hang of it, hope the windage is not a problem, then one just has to master elevation at different yardage. Good luck with your new flinter.

[Johnny Reb]

popplecop
I'm using 70 gr. 3F with a .017 patch and .60rb. I went to the range today and shot real good groups. I've got the windage down, I just need to work on the elevation I'm shooting 3" low at 25 yds. I really like this smoothbore.
JR

[popplecop]

Sounds like you are on the right track. As I remember we had to bend my barrel up some useing a hydrulic press, then relocate the front cross pin hole. Whatever it worked and am still kicking my self for letting it go years ago.

[Skinny Shooter]

Very nice! Looks like a fancy grade French smooth bore.
Have you tried using the tang screw to line up with front sight?
You can gauge the amount of the top barrel you see "under" the front sight as you look down the barrel for your elevation.
That works for my brown bess.
Sorta like shooting a bow with no sights.