32 vs 36 caliber for squirrels and rabbit's

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.36 carries better from the additional mass in my pistols. For a rifle I’d be more concerned with fouling... so 36...BUT if I were BP hunting squirrels I’d take my .50 so I could bark them.

/I’m too lazy these days and just take the .22lr.
//last time I barked a squirrel was with my .58 Zouave. There was nothing left to eat.
 
I’m inclined towards the .32 as shots on rabbits and squirrels generally aren’t all that far and a hole that big is plenty. It shouldn’t use much powder or lead. But I’ve read of many people finding the fouling harder to deal with (some do not have issues it seems).

But I’ve also considered a ~.39 cal to patch .380” balls, which would allow to me use it on things a bit bigger like porcupine.
 
I don't think the size makes to much difference since I try for head shots. A 40 would be cool but I'd want to bring it deer hunting but cant. I never had bad fouling with the 32 I cleaned every 3 or so. And the gun shot good even with a lose patch.
 
I use the .32 in flint and percussion during the early squirrel season when the leaves are still on the trees. My shots seldom exceed 35 yards at this time. Once the leaves fall, visibility increases, so I use a .36 in either flint or percussion. Shots at this time can sometimes exceed 50 yards, though I can't see the sights good enough anymore to shoot accurately beyond that range. The .36 holds up to the wind better than the .32. Both calibers are very economical to shoot, as not much powder is needed for accuracy and to take squirrels and rabbits. .36 caliber is the largest caliber my state allows for small game using patched round ball only.
 
well troy back in the year I built a david pedersoli 36c flintlock this kit right here, https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...t_name/FK3355+Dixie+Deluxe+Cub+.36+Flint+Kits excellent rifle and very accurate! fixing to try this one out on squirrels :) p.s. the reason I went with the 36c is here in Oklahoma the fall turkey hunt to use a B/P rifle it must be at lest a 36c or larger so that's the reason I went with this caliber slighty bigger than the 32 but at lest I can hunt turkey and squirrel with this rifle!
 
well troy back in the year I built a david pedersoli 36c flintlock this kit right here, https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...t_name/FK3355+Dixie+Deluxe+Cub+.36+Flint+Kits excellent rifle and very accurate! fixing to try this one out on squirrels :) p.s. the reason I went with the 36c is here in Oklahoma the fall turkey hunt to use a B/P rifle it must be at lest a 36c or larger so that's the reason I went with this caliber slighty bigger than the 32 but at lest I can hunt turkey and squirrel with this rifle!
Ya some nice kits out there. I think I've decided on a 36 as well. So hard to pick witch one tho. I have to save up for a kit so have time to look. I wish we could shoot Turkey with a round ball but can't used a rifle or any shot bigger then #2. I see all the turkey when deer hunting and vice versa lol.
Did you make it look new or like it's aged. And what ball are you using, thanks again.
 
Ya some nice kits out there. I think I've decided on a 36 as well. So hard to pick witch one tho. I have to save up for a kit so have time to look. I wish we could shoot Turkey with a round ball but can't used a rifle or any shot bigger then #2. I see all the turkey when deer hunting and vice versa lol.
Did you make it look new or like it's aged. And what ball are you using, thanks again.
I made it look a bit aged and the ball size is .350 I even cast my own roundballs using a lee mould :)
 
The .36 is my goto BP rifle for called in coyotes here in CT. We can't use rifles larger than .22rimfire on state land, and the largest muzzle loading rifle that can be used is the .36 with patched round ball for small game and varmints. I have taken quite a few coyotes with the .36. It puts them down pretty well with proper shot placement out to 50 yards or so. Our coyotes are pretty big. My average wt. of a coyote runs around 37#, but I have taken quite a few over 45#, and one at 53#.
 
The .36 is my goto BP rifle for called in coyotes here in CT. We can't use rifles larger than .22rimfire on state land, and the largest muzzle loading rifle that can be used is the .36 with patched round ball for small game and varmints. I have taken quite a few coyotes with the .36. It puts them down pretty well with proper shot placement out to 50 yards or so. Our coyotes are pretty big. My average wt. of a coyote runs around 37#, but I have taken quite a few over 45#, and one at 53#.
We have a yot shoot every February they get a few over 50 and seen some in the 60s. About 3 years ago one that was 105 pounds they were going to do dna on it but I never found out, I was it it looked like one to me we have had some of the coyote/ wolf mix breads before.
 
The yotes here in the northeast are a lot bigger than their southern and western cousins. I believe they do have some wolf genes, especially the one that came down from Canada. Could also be their diet. In the deer season, just about every deer I see is being dogged by a coyote. I shoot them on sight. They have ruined quite a few deer opportunites for me over the years. Sorry OP for going on a tangent. The .36 is a great caliber overall. Cheap to shoot, light to carry and usually very accurate.
 
The .36 is my goto BP rifle for called in coyotes here in CT. We can't use rifles larger than .22rimfire on state land, and the largest muzzle loading rifle that can be used is the .36 with patched round ball for small game and varmints. I have taken quite a few coyotes with the .36. It puts them down pretty well with proper shot placement out to 50 yards or so. Our coyotes are pretty big. My average wt. of a coyote runs around 37#, but I have taken quite a few over 45#, and one at 53#.

I'm also in central Connecticut and saw a coyote during broad daylight just the other day.
It was walking up a long driveway located on a hillside in the outskirts of an urban city.
This coyote looked a lot like a skinny German Shepherd but with the distinctive coyote shaped head.
It's not the 1st one that I've seen in this city, and I think that it may have been looking for pets to eat.
I was just slowly driving by, saw it and then stopped to get a better look.

Another time I followed one at night trotting down a city street right in front of my car, located between a cemetery and a large forested park.
They live in the cities among us.
 
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The yotes here in the northeast are a lot bigger than their southern and western cousins. I believe they do have some wolf genes, especially the one that came down from Canada. Could also be their diet. In the deer season, just about every deer I see is being dogged by a coyote. I shoot them on sight. They have ruined quite a few deer opportunites for me over the years. Sorry OP for going on a tangent. The .36 is a great caliber overall. Cheap to shoot, light to carry and usually very accurate.
I don't mind good talk lol. The coyote the last 10 or 15 years are getting bad. The county above me has almost no deer and there's not many houses. I have seen 15 or 20 in groups at night. Ana d even seen them rip a steel door of a chicken coop. There big around here in New york.
5 years ago I shot a doe about a hour before last light, waited for more deer and shot a 6 point before sunset. After hitting the buck I went to do the doe and there were 4 coyote on it. I killed 3.

Small game animals are about wiped out when they come through. Plus all the pets that get eaten.
 
I'm also in central Connecticut and saw a coyote during broad daylight just the other day.
It was walking up a long driveway located on a hillside in the outskirts of an urban city.
This coyote looked a lot like a skinny German Shepherd but with the distinctive coyote shaped head.
It's not the 1st one that I've seen in this city, and I think that it may have been looking for pets to eat.
I was just slowly driving by, saw it and then stopped to get a better look.
One time I followed one at night trotting down a city street in front of my car, located between a cemetery and a large forested park.
They live in the cities among us.
I see them in the day a few times a month here. I hit one with my truck one day about 5pm it was in Connecticut to . I was coming back from a fishing trip in Groton. I hit it just before getting on I84 think the road is 43 I forget.
 
Off topic a bit, coyotes here get hunted by USDA in Piper Cubs with 2 man crew using a semi auto 12 gauge and number 4 buckshot. It's the ultimate redneck job! Been shooting a 36 for quite a while now and I believe it's a better choice all around.
 
I don't mind good talk lol. The coyote the last 10 or 15 years are getting bad. The county above me has almost no deer and there's not many houses. I have seen 15 or 20 in groups at night. Ana d even seen them rip a steel door of a chicken coop. There big around here in New york.
5 years ago I shot a doe about a hour before last light, waited for more deer and shot a 6 point before sunset. After hitting the buck I went to do the doe and there were 4 coyote on it. I killed 3.

Small game animals are about wiped out when they come through. Plus all the pets that get eaten.
Try that with a muzzle loader;)
I too am thinking about a small caliber, but am kicking around a small caliber smooth bore.
 
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