slightly bent smoothbore barrel

[Renegade]

I bought my first smoothbore flintlock 4 months ago. a friend at one of my shoots told me that the barrel was slightly bent to the right, I didn't believe him at first until I put a straight edge on it. Barely noticeable. At first I just figured it was me just trying to get used to my sight picture not having a rear sight, but it made sense cause I've been getting real good groups lately, 2.5" groups at 35 yds all about 3" to the right of center of the target. Is it very hard straighten a barrel? or should I just leave it  alone. I love the smoothbore
Thanks in advance for your input.

[Baldy]

Springing the barrel (slightly bending it) is a pretty common way to adjust a smoothbore to shoot where you want.  Some people do it in the fork of a tree but I am not that bold.  I put together a little jig and use a pipe clamp to pull the barrel down a bit, then let it up and check it.  Just a little at a time to avoid going too far.

[pathfinder]

If it's shooting right,bend the barrel right. Front sight follow's is what is taught when sighting in gun's.

Bending the barrel was a common practice that I AM NOT A FAN OF!!! I would straighten the barrel,any crook in a tree will do,then re-solder the front sight slightly to the right of  the original position. I DO NOT BEND BARREL'S!!!!