Rifled vs. Smoothbore barrel accuracy

Moderator: ripjack13


Copper BB
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2013 5:48 pm
PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 5:53 pm
Greetings everyone! New guy on the forum here.

I just picked up a M87 Deerslayer Police Special with a rifled 20" barrel. It was manufactured in 1995 and has a removable barrel.

I was wondering what kind of improvement in accuracy I should see over a smoothbore barrel if I am shooting the same Brenneke Foster-type slug out of each.

Also, are the M87s and less accurarate than the older M37s? I heard the barrels were handfitted on the older 37s and that the barrels from the M87s are interchangable.

Thanks!

Chris

.270 WIN
Posts: 429
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:50 am
PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 6:56 pm
-Barrels under s/n 855,000 where hand fitted. This took place 1962ish. I would have to look up the exact date.
-The model 87 removable barrel gun is no more or less accurate than that of a removable barrel 37. In fact the guns are exactly the same except for their model designation. There are fixed barrel model 87 and 37 guns. Those are quite a bit more accurate than that of their removable barrel counterparts.
-As far as accuracy of the same slug goes you may to look into your ammo selection a little further. You will need to invest in sabot slugs to shoot threw a fully riffled barrel.

Copper BB
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2013 5:48 pm
PostPosted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:47 am
Thank you Cutcher. I appreciate the info!
PostPosted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 3:43 pm
Welcome to the Ithaca Owners Forum !!

.22LR
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2011 7:05 pm
PostPosted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 5:23 pm
With my Ithaca's I have found the DS-2 fixed rifled barrel is the most accurate, followed by the removeable fully rifled barrel, and then the smoothbore. I can get sub 2" groups from my scoped, fixed (DS-2) rifled barrel and a sub 5" groups from my scoped smoothbore with the right slugs (WW). Where I find the rifled barrel shines is when shots are 125 yards +; otherwise more times than not I just go with the smoothbore...

Copper BB
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2013 5:48 pm
PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 2:19 pm
Excellent info. Thanks Nauti

.22LR
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Dec 29, 2013 11:53 pm
PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 4:54 pm
Question:

I have an Older Model 37 with a 30" barrel. I had it tapped for Colonial choke tubes. I have a Cylinder Bore screw in choke that is made to shoot steel thru. It sticks out from the end of the muzzle about an inch, so that any choking that goes on will be outside of the barrel and won't damage it. If I blow the choke with steel shot it won'd hurt the barrel and all I have to do is to buy another choke tube. Then I have standard Mod and Full chokes.

Can I shoot slugs thru any of these chokes and will they be reasonably accurate?

.22LR
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2011 7:05 pm
PostPosted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:02 am
I believe you can shoot lead foster slugs thru any choke although Cylinder or IC is generally recommended. As far as accuracy, with the right slugs they can be fairly accurate but every barrel is to its own. You have to try it with different brands of slugs and see what it likes. My brother still uses his Remington Model 11 (Auto 5 look alike) in full choke and at 50 yards it will cut a 5 shot one hole cloverleaf.

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