The Difference Between Smoothbore and Rifled Weapons

When a person decides to buy their first weapon, the choice often comes down to one question: smoothbore or rifled barrel. Everything depends on this — from accuracy to the type of ammunition. A smoothbore barrel has no rifling inside, so the charge travels straight. A rifled barrel has spiral grooves that spin the bullet, making the flight more stable.

Smoothbore weapons work better at short distances and forgive shooter errors. Rifled weapons allow you to hit farther and more accurately, but require more experience and maintenance.

Ammunition serves different purposes, and it is they that determine weapon effectiveness.

Shot — many small pellets that create a wide impact zone. Perfect for birds and small game.

Buckshot — larger pellets with strong stopping power at close range.

Smoothbore slug — travels farther, suitable for accurate shots at larger targets.

Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) bullet — the standard for rifled weapons, maintains shape and penetrates well.

Soft or hollow-point bullet — expands on impact, effective for hunting.

Smoothbore is a classic that most hunters start with. It is simple, reliable, and forgiving of mistakes.

Most commonly used are break-action shotguns, pump-action shotguns, and semi-automatic models.

They are well-suited for hunting birds, small game, or practice shooting. Smoothbore weapons are cheaper, easier to maintain, and have a wide selection of ammunition. But at long distances their effectiveness drops — accuracy is lower, and recoil from powerful rounds is noticeable.

Rifled weapons are designed for accuracy. Their barrel has rifling that spins the bullet around its axis, stabilizing flight. This allows you to hit targets at long distances.

These models are chosen by hunters, sportsmen, and professionals who need stability and power. Popular calibers are 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, and .308.

Rifled weapons are more expensive, but they offer a completely different shooting experience — control, range, and accuracy.

Barrel quality determines how long a weapon will remain accurate. There are several main manufacturing methods:

• Cutting — the classical method with the highest precision.
• Button rifling — a faster and cheaper option that provides good consistency.
• Forging — creates a strong barrel with extended service life.
• Sometimes modern laser technologies are used, but this is only for premium models.

Smoothbore weapons are simple, versatile, and work well at short distances. Their drawback is lower accuracy at distance.

Rifled weapons are accurate, stable, and effective at long distances. But they require more experience and are more expensive.