Author Topic: .36 or .45? (Read 1200 times)

gazz · « **on:** October 06, 2005, 05:57:59 PM »

Hi,
Has anyone had experience with .36's and/ or .45's for target shooting at around 50 yards?
I am sort of looking at a Pedersoli frontier carbine (because I like the light weight). I would like to hear comments on this rifle too.
O.K. I know that a heavy .50 seems to be the choice of a lot of shooters, but I am looking for something light in weight.
Thanks,
gazz.

Ramrod · « **Reply #1 on:** October 07, 2005, 03:15:33 AM »

I like the .45 because it is a little more versitile.

robin_du_bois · « **Reply #2 on:** October 07, 2005, 10:32:17 AM »

Have you thought about a .40? It is, by most accounts, the most accurate roundball gun. It's not available in the Pedersoli, I know, but you could get numerous semi-custom guns for about a $1000 that would be far superior to Pedersoli quality (and I am not denigrating the Pedersoli, it is certainly the best gun for the price).

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #3 on:** October 07, 2005, 03:04:38 PM »

.45 will take down a deer with RB, but is not really overkill on bunnies. Here in Alaska the .45 with a 250gr. bullet is the minimum for big game other than deer. If hunting is not a consideration, the .36 uses less lead and powder. I believe either #0 or 00 buckshot will work for ball, but I may be thinking of the .32. Let us know what you go with!

-WH-

sharps4590 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2005, 09:03:08 AM »

If you want it to double for a deer rifle the 45 is the way to go. If your matches are paper punching or novelty matches the 45 is still the way to go as the ball is bigger and allows for a little more margin of error. The .10 larger ball can make a difference on the scoring rings of paper targets and a near miss on novelty targets. I have both a 45 and 36 and really like them both.

The 45 is more than adequate for small game but the 36 isn't for larger game. For others reading this post, I know, I know.......the 36 can kill a deer but it isn't really adequate, no matter the argument. At ranges over 50 yards the 45 is marginal for deer. Yes, it's adequate but still marginal.

Vic

Slamfire · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2005, 07:30:48 AM »

There are several H&A type underhammers in .45 caliber that are designed for target work. They have a very positive igniton system. :wink:

Birddog6 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2005, 02:18:24 AM »

You say you want a lighter one ? You should consider the size of the barrel they are using, as a 50 cal barrel in 7/8" would weigh less than a .45 or .36 in the same barrel. The .50 cal in 7/8" would weigh close to the same as a 45 cal. in 13/16" and the .36 will weigh more than both barrels.

For plain target shooting out to .50 yards the .40 cal . is undoubtedly the best IMHO, cheaper to shoot & no recoil at all, extremely accurate & etc. However if hunting is a consideration then I would go with the .50 cal as it is a lil lighter in the same barrel size, you can load it up & down according to what you want to do with it & it is a good all around caliber for hunting & target.

:grin:

slayer · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2005, 08:34:58 AM »

If you want to target shoot and small game hunt, the .32 or .36 would be sweet. I am going to get a Green Mountail .32 barrel for my T/C Renegade, but it is a very heavy barrel, as they cut the .32 into the same 1" acroos the flats barrel as the .50 Jack.

gazz · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2005, 01:15:17 PM »

Thanks guys,
I won't be hunting with it. I'm shooting paper and steel offhand,usually at 50 metres so I don't need a lot of power. However my reservations about the .36 was that it might not buck the wind as something heavier.
I used to have a .50 in one of those things that look a bit like a Hawken.I liked the calibre, but the rifle was way too ugly
This time I would like something lighter and more traditional in appearance.
The .40 has got me interested now! I'm in Australia and haven't heard much of them. I wonder if their accuracy is a result of having custom barrels? Are they available from makers like Pedersoli?
Thanks,
gazz

Slamfire · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2005, 05:14:06 PM »

Round balls all have the same sectional density, and the same coefficient of form, so there won't be any difference in wind drift, not attributable to velocity.

russianblood · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2005, 07:10:59 AM »

I have a .45 Pennsylvania rifle and it is a great squirrel rifle. It would also be great for paper punching as the 41" barrel holds extremely steady and the overall weight of the rifle is only 8 lbs.

slayer · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2005, 08:41:59 AM »

Russionblood, what brand is that? Thanks-Jack.

russianblood · « **Reply #12 on:** October 12, 2005, 08:59:31 AM »

It the Dixie Pennsylvania rifle made by Pedersoli. (FR1060 at Dixie Gun Works)

slayer · « **Reply #13 on:** October 12, 2005, 09:44:22 AM »

Thank you-Jack.

gazz · « **Reply #14 on:** October 12, 2005, 01:26:31 PM »

That's a good point about the B.C. Slamfire.
Does the actual weight of the ball come into it? I thought a heavier ball would have more inertia and be less easily diflected by the wind.
Thanks for all these helpful comments.
gazz.

farrerhaven · « **Reply #15 on:** November 03, 2005, 05:34:18 PM »

Dixe has the .40 cal Cub rifle in a shorter barrel carbine in your interested.Brian.