Author Topic: 32 or 36 cal for squirrels (Read 4549 times)

hesco · « **on:** December 19, 2009, 01:39:37 PM »

planning on getting a 32 or 36 for squirrels which would be best, have a 50 cal renegade presume i can get a green mountain barrel for it or is their a cheaper better option.

necchi · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2009, 05:17:51 PM »

I'll cast a vote for .36 But you should really go with a .40

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2009, 05:47:14 PM »

Youu would probably be happier with a .36 or .40. The .32s that I have used were all really picky about loads, the slightest difference in loading, even ramrod pressure, seems to radically affect POI with the .32s

Ron T. · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2009, 07:48:29 PM »

Why not just use your .50 caliber muzzle loader? By NOT buying another rifle, you can afford to buy the best, most accurate barrel for your current .50 caliber rifle.

Sure... it's "over-kill" for squirrels, but .50 calibers can be extremely accurate with the right load... and a "head-shot" is a head-shot, regardless of caliber.

In addition, practicing on squirrels is good training for deer hunting. If you can consistently hit a squirrel in the head at 25 yards, you won't have any trouble hitting a deer in the "kill-zone" at longer rangers.

And the cost of doing it this way is "nada" if you don't buy a new barrel... something to think about, n'est pas?

Jus' my 2¢...

Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

flintlock · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2009, 01:27:57 AM »

I've killed squirrels with head shots from a .40, .45 and .54...All work...Currently I have 2 flinters, a .54 and a .40...With 25grs of FFF Goex the .40 is a hoot to shoot...One advantage of a .40 is that you can use a 3/8 ramrod instead of a 5/16...

As mentioned, your .50 will work, just back down to 40-50grs of powder and sight in for 25 yards...

necchi · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2009, 04:02:01 AM »

Ya know, that's a good point useing the large cal for squirrel, I remember one time using the 54 and trying to "bark'm" like the old stories, just shoot the branch under the head. I forgot about holding low for close range and shooting up-hill, an took the head clean off several of them tree rats.

flintman · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2009, 02:09:12 PM »

Why just limit yourself to these popular calibers?
if you can build a gun you can get .25 caliber on up!

Ladobe · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2009, 07:04:49 AM »

"Barking" squirrels was fine for the folks who lived and ate day to day by the success of their prowess with their front stuffer. But few of us today can match that skill as only occassional hunters. I've tried it with both 50's and 54's, and unless you can consistently hit a dime with them at all the ranges you'll shoot EVERYTIME you'll loose a lot of tasty meat for the cook pot.

For squirrels to coyotes the 36's get the nod here. Also had two 32's, sold them and kept both of the 36's.

dbo1966 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2010, 08:02:31 AM »

i vote for the .32...my crockett is minute of squirrel head everytime out to 30yds or so. As with most MLers, load em the same way every time improves accuracy. My load is a .38sp case full of 2ff, .310rb, pillowticking patch, bore butter for lube. I get about 20 shots before it starts to get hard to load.

bo

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2010, 05:34:15 AM »

Up until just recently I'd have said forget the 32 and go for the 36... hands down...no contest. I've had a long time love affair with a 36 Senica and exactly zero experience with any 32, but had heard all the horror stories about 32's being hard to load, very picky about this and that and the spindly little ram rod...etc, etc, etc.. Well, last summer I came upon a fellow trying to sell a 32 Cherokee barrel that looked like new. Having a 45 Cherokee, I bit on it right quick. About Christmas I was going to get out the Senica for some late season squirrel hunting and remembered the 32. OK...let's see just what it'll do. Just had gotten a new can of 777 FFFG to try out and matched it up with some .310 round balls and .015 ticking soaked in moose milk. Set the powder measure on 35 gr just at a guess. Shooting at 30yd, the first five(after a fouling shot) went inside a 1" target spot...OK! for my old eyes and open sights...squirrel gravy anyway! Two more sessions have produced about the same result and so far I haven't found much of anything hard or picky about the 32. Sooo.....

Now, the real test, the one about the gravy, hasn't happened yet, so we'll just have to see. Walt

S.S. · « **Reply #10 on:** January 08, 2010, 03:37:00 PM »

Quote from: Cuts Crooked on December 19, 2009, 05:47:14 PM

Youu would probably be happier with a .36 or .40. The .32s that I have used were all really picky about loads, the slightest difference in loading, even ramrod pressure, seems to radically affect POI with the .32s

Fully agree, and I have had several .32s !
I would go with the .36 but I like the .32s also.
or maybe a little scattergun!
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,188154.0.html

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #11 on:** January 08, 2010, 04:00:07 PM »

I just picked up a 32 Cherokee and really like it. Like new and loaded easy on 25 shots during our shoot. Used .310 balls, .18 pillow ticking with Wonder lube and 25 gr FFFG. Also have a CVA Squirrel rifle and bought a 32 cal. Green Mtn Barrel for my 50 cal TC Hawken. That one is to heavy to pack around all day for rabbit or squirrel. Either will work just fine for ya. DP

Rangr44 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2010, 01:59:35 PM »

Different states have different game laws.

My state, for instance, used to mandate ".45cal or larger" for deer, and ".45cal or smaller" for small game - which was nice, because I could use my .45 Cherokee for everything

- BUT -

now it's been changed to: ".45 or larger for deer, and ".40cal or smaller" for small game

- AND -

I HAVE to buy a smallbore rifle.

( I've already moved up to a .54 Renegade for deer)

.

squirrellluck · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2010, 04:52:15 PM »

In louisiana for some unknown reason I can use a 12 ga shotgun but anything over 32 cal in blackpowder is illegal for small game

necchi · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2010, 07:42:59 PM »

Interesting twist on the thread,,

The only thing we have here in Minn is, .40 cal ML or larger for Deer,,but nothing over .22 rimfire during Deer season for small game, shotgun OK but ya better not have a slug ANYwhere near ya. Buckshot has been banned for years.

Dances with Geoducks · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2010, 08:34:37 PM »

40 is my fav all around caliber, but Id do 36 cal for small game in a second

coyotejoe · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2010, 06:30:51 AM »

I really don't like launching big balls at high elevation, they can skip off a limb and land who-knows-where.
The smaller the caliber the less the distance and danger. A .32 is certainly plenty of gun for squirrels and bunnies but if you ever want to extend the range for groundhogs or such I think the .36 is a better option.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 15, 2010, 11:23:30 AM »

I like the .36. Overall just a bit easier for me to live with. If my fingers are cold Im fumbling anyway so a loading block is a good idea regardless.
I sold the .36 Seneca, it just didnt fit me right and the Cabela's Blue Ridge .32 is left, but I wish it was a .36.
BTW, I wanted a handy woods loafer rather than a long rifle, so I cut down the Blue Ridge to about as far above the middle rod pipe as it originally was from the top pipe. Nice 'carbine' now and the grandsons can handle it better too.

coyotejoe · « **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2010, 01:26:11 PM »

SACRILIEGE!!!!

Rangr44 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 15, 2010, 01:37:18 PM »

I searched for a .36 T/C Seneca/Cherokee for quite awhile, before I ended snapping up a T/C Hawken with a .32 GM barrel last week.

They're scarce as snake feathers, hereabouts, due to my state's small game restrictions (posted above).

What I'd REALLY like to have, though, is a .36cal rocklock !

.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 15, 2010, 01:46:40 PM »

I dont know if they are still available, but that Cabela's Blue Ridge is/was avail. in cap or flint. and .32, .36, .45, and .50.
If I remember right, they were made by Pedersoli and the flinters Ive seen throw good sparks and have all shot well. More longrifle looking than the 'New England' style of the TCs but maybe worth searching out.

coyotejoe · « **Reply #21 on:** March 17, 2010, 07:30:41 AM »

The Blue Ridge is made by Pedersoli. I've had a flint .45 for maybe 15 years or more and that is a really long time for me to keep a gun, I tend to try them out, lose interest and sell or swap. I had one in .32 but didn't keep it long. It was a good 25 yard squirrel gun but at 50 yards the groups opened up quite a bit and squirrel hunting around here is pretty meager, not worth having a dedicated squirrel rifle.

stubshaft · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2010, 01:02:18 AM »

I don't think that GM is planning to produce any 32 OR 36 barrels. I have a .32 Mountain Rifle and it will hold minute of squirrel out to 50yds easily.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #23 on:** March 24, 2010, 06:22:36 PM »

Most every .50 that I've owned made fine squirrel rifles. If the rate of twist is slow, like on a longrifle, I found that whatever powder charge is most accurate, would be just as accurate with half of that. I had a Jim Chambers and a TVM and a Lyman GP, all of which would group tightly with a half load. The Lyman was especially accurate. It liked 80 grains of 3F for general use, and 40 grains would cut the center out of a small pistol target at 25 yards. I simply made two powder measures that hung around my neck with a loading block. I remember an article in Muzzle Blasts some years ago about half loads.

ohiosam · « **Reply #24 on:** April 06, 2010, 01:23:05 PM »

I have a DGW Tennessee Squirrel rifle in .32, been shootin' it for 25 years. Pretty much shoots where I point. Never noticed it to be finicky, learn something new every day.

longcaribiner · « **Reply #25 on:** April 06, 2010, 06:03:07 PM »

Here in the people's Keystone Republik the game folks, in a space of about 5 years outlawed centerfires for small game, outlawed muzzleloaders over 40 for small game. Then permitted all centerfire and rim fire guns under 23 caliber for small game, a revolver would have to be under 23 caliber, even a cap and ball.

I have a 32 inline that was made in Spain. It will put 5 in a postage stamp at 25 yds. My CVA 32 Squirrel rifle was not as accurate.

In a world of possibilities, If I had my wishes, it would be a 38 caliber. But such a barrel would have to be custom made. 36 would be the caliber for which I settle. Not too fine for cold finger to fumble with.

Rock Home Isle · « **Reply #26 on:** May 14, 2010, 02:57:52 PM »

Quote from: hesco on December 19, 2009, 01:39:37 PM

planning on getting a 32 or 36 for squirrels which would be best, have a 50 cal renegade presume i can get a green mountain barrel for it or is their a cheaper better option.

I love all these calibres and the .40 would also make a nice calibre for consideration. Its my experience that the little .32's can be finicky...those little peas just take a ceratin touch to get them in the kill-zone with consistancy.

The .36 calibre and the larger .40 calibre are less finicky...easier to master. But I do shoot my .32 more than my other small bores. Loaded with 30 grains of fffg and a patched roundy seated just so...hard combination to beat.

Rock Home Isle · « **Reply #27 on:** May 14, 2010, 04:04:44 PM »

Quote from: necchi on December 19, 2009, 05:17:51 PM

I'll cast a vote for .36 But you should really go with a .40

The .40 is such a sweet little calibre to shoot; very accurate, low recoil, easy on the powder. What more could a guy want?

Rock Home Isle · « **Reply #28 on:** May 17, 2010, 03:25:32 PM »

Quote from: necchi on December 19, 2009, 05:17:51 PM

I'll cast a vote for .36 But you should really go with a .40

Gosh I wish that I still had a .40 cal. Such a pleasure to shoot...guess I'll make due with a .45 cal....its almost as good.

nessmuk101 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 18, 2010, 02:30:01 PM »

I tried the same thing and bought a GM drop in barrel for my hawken. When I went to the .40 cal barrel in 15/16", it added about 2 1/2 pounds to the weight of an all ready heavy gun.

I sold the barrel and bought a new rifle with a lighter barrel.