I have a cut back NEF single shot that no longer has the factory choke and is straight cylinder bored now. Barrel is 18 1/2” and has a normal bead sight.
Do you think the gun can still be effectively used for squirrel and rabbit? That’s about all I’d hunt with it. It is light handy and durable so fits on an ATV well and I keep it in the woods for walking around and snakes. Thinking about trying to hunt with it come fall.
You've defaulted into the the Black Powder world (well sort of...)
20 gauge fusils and fowlers in the 18th century were smoothbore, and had no choke, and ..., took a lot of small game.
Look more for large shot loads. Remington makes a heavy load that is 2¾"
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...-1-1-8-oz-lead-shot-shells-25-rounds?a=336286 I have no idea when these will be available again, but they are the idea.
Actually..., If it was me I'd handload, and lower the powder a bit, and shoot 1½ ounces of #6. You're talking probably 20 to 25 yards max, so there would still be enough umph behind the pellets.
You do have, however, a gun that will also shoot slugs, buckshot, and
punkin ball loads. A punkin ball shell is a very old "slug" type shell. Prior to Foster or Brenneke slugs, folks simply used shells with a single lead round ball loaded. Just as had been done with muzzleloaders. The round ball weighs around
¾ of an ounce of shot, so it was easy to simply load a shell with the single ball (or to open a shotshell, remove the shot, and drop in a ball). No adjustments to the powder needed. Good to about 50 yards on deer or even moose.
LD