36 caliber VS 32 caliber flintlock rifles for squirrel hunting which one??

Status
Not open for further replies.
What about a 20 gauge or .62 fowler, is that an option?
If the squirrel is moving, partially hidden or you flinch, the chances are that you'll still be able to bag it.
And using it as a smooth rifle, you can possibly harvest larger game such as hogs with it.

If limited to choosing between small caliber rifles, then ask yourself what other types of small game that you might come across while hunting for squirrels?
I would think that a .36 would offer more killing power in that event, for fox, coyote, coon, bobcat, turkey [if legal with a rifle], and any other critters that you might have in your area.

I never really enjoyed the thought of fiddling around with those small .310 caliber balls even though they can work quite well.
I haven't hunted squirrels with a muzzle loader, but if I did it would be with a 28 ga. BP shotgun [modified choke], 12 ga. or a .36 single shot scoped pistol.
My all time favorite squirrel gun is a .410 Remington pump, and I've killed a few with a Ruger 10/22 semi-auto. rifle.
But when hunting squirrels it's helpful to have a margin for error once the trigger is pulled.
Follow up shots with a muzzle loader very likely won't be forthcoming as with a modern gun.
A fowler could provide an advantage toward bringing home the bacon.
 
Last edited:
I would prefer the .36. I believe they tend to shoot cleaner than the .32.
I have a CVA .32 squirrel rifle. It is a fine little rifle, but seems small to me.
As far as the difference between .310 and .350 sized balls? The target will never know.
....All i know is, some of the older guys at my bp club have built squirrel rifles. They like them to hunt and shootin matches because theyre light, easy on the shoulder, and cheap to shoot. They say the .32 fouls worse. My ,32 fouls quickly too.
Wipe the bore a little more often, problem solved.
Just pick the rifle you like best! Let that decide what caliber.
My favorite is a .40. 20150801_070648.jpg
 
I have a cheap .32 with a synthetic stock and a drum nipple. It's light and kinda short. I can't remember right now if it's a Traditions or a CVA.
Anyway, I shoot shotgun Buckshot in it as a patched round ball. It works very well and is a hoot to shoot. Cheap too.
As a 54 caliber enthusiast, I found it very fun.
Fouling more often than a larger bore...probably. But all that means is a couple of passes with a copper brush and tip the barrel down to dump the trash.
You should do that fairly often on any ML rifle when using true black powder if you want consistent accuracy.
I have not shot a 36 or a 45. I bet you would be happy with either caliber if you buy a quality piece, I say you shouldn't fixate on the caliber if you find the squirrel gun that feels right.
 
If you're going to shoot the .32..., they are not "dirtier" than the .36...it's just that the bore, being that small, succumbs to normal fouling, faster as you shoot. Most folks swab the bore between shots, because of accuracy concerns but also to keep the stress down on their ramrods, as they avoid forcing the patched ball down on a dirty bore. Some folks have broken enough .32 ramrods to opt for a brass rod or a delrin rod. .311 ball is sometimes hard to find, so you will probably want to invest in a double ball mold if that's the rifle caliber that you choose. It's like hunting with a .22.

In the past the .36 was more popular, but now you can find four different .32 rifles made by Pedersoli, plus one offered by Traditions, while I only find one .36 factory rifle, and that's from Pedersoli. So if you're not going with a Cub-Dixie in a factory rifle, or a nice used CVA or TC in a .36..., then it's semi-custom or custom rifle time. The .36 tends to be a little more forgiving when it comes to durability of ramrods, but..., if you buy from Pedersoli, you're going to need to replace that ramrod (regardless of caliber) because Pedersoli of late has a tendency to use wooden dowels that are not straight grained for their ramrods.

LD
 
I've never fiddled with a .32, just a .36. I do know it will flat out destroy squirrels. Try to stick to head shots if at all possible, hits to the body will do some remarkable damage. I popped a Jackrabbit last spring from around 30ish yards and it damn near tore it's head off. Earlier I shot a ground squirrel and almost cut it in 2. This was with a .36 flinter.
 
I've never fiddled with a .32, just a .36. I do know it will flat out destroy squirrels. Try to stick to head shots if at all possible, hits to the body will do some remarkable damage. I popped a Jackrabbit last spring from around 30ish yards and it damn near tore it's head off. Earlier I shot a ground squirrel and almost cut it in 2. This was with a .36 flinter.
so jackrabbit1957 if I may ask what loads where you using in that 36? plus does it shoot pretty straight??
 
I use 45 grains of 3f black powder, .018 canvas duck patch, and a cast ball from a Lee mold. The load was worked up 5 grains at a time till I found the most accurate load, then went further and found it will go to around 60 grains before the group opens up on paper at 50 yards. It will put them in the same hole all day long as long as I do my part.
 
I use 45 grains of 3f black powder, .018 canvas duck patch, and a cast ball from a Lee mold. The load was worked up 5 grains at a time till I found the most accurate load, then went further and found it will go to around 60 grains before the group opens up on paper at 50 yards. It will put them in the same hole all day long as long as I do my part.
thanks for your help as soon hopefully this early spring i'll be purchasing one and also are you using a wooden ramrod or something stronger?
 
Like loyalist Dave said this is about the only game in town for a 36 caliber unless you can find a Traditions Pennsylnania rifle.

I think that the Traditions .36 flintlock rifle that Loyalist Dave was referring to was the Shenandoah that came in both flint and percussion [and also in .50].

https://www.traditionsfirearms.com/data/product_schematics/Shenandoah Rifle_1366033048.pdf

I could only find it for sale at one outfit, and it may be discontinued but not sure:--->>> http://www.possibleshop.com/rifle-pennsylvinia.html

Here's an article about it:--->>> https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2010/1/14/traditions-shenandoah/
 
Last edited:
THE 36 CAL. SHENANDOAH RIFLE http://www.possibleshop.com/rifle-pennsylvinia.html

It does not say out of stock or discontinued.

I could only find it for sale at the Possible Shop, other outfits like Midway and The Sportman's Guide list it as discontinued or no longer available.
Other Traditions dealers aren't listing it at all.
Perhaps Traditions has some in their warehouse or they aren't currently available for distribution by anyone else at all at the moment.
 
Last edited:
yep that cub looks nice I wonder if anyone here has one or had one and their experiences with it??

I don't have the cub but I just bought a used 50 caliber Scout Carbine. Its the same gun sans patchbox and in 50 cal. It is so light weight and easy to carry. Mine weighs right at 6 pounds. I love it. I have wanted one of these for years in 45 caliber but for $345 I can live with a 50. I have ate squirrel before and like it better than rabbit but I don't think I would spend $700+ dollars for a gun just to hunt them. With head shots(the only kind you should make on such a small animal)caliber doesn't matter. I have a very accurate 45 that will do the job fine. I thought you owned a 45 Traditions Kentucky flinter don't you? Why not just use that and save your money?
 
thanks for your help as soon hopefully this early spring i'll be purchasing one and also are you using a wooden ramrod or something stronger?
I use the delrin rods that Track sells on all my front stuffers. I built a Dixie cub years ago from a kit and then sold it. They are nice handy little guns, I'm just not into production guns. My .36 is a custom gun I built for myself. I built one before as a spec gun in .36 and started shooting it occasionally and really liked it. It was posted on my website and a doctor in Tennessee bought it. I will try to figure out how take a photo of it and post it here.
 
I have a TC Cherokee in .32 and its a sweet shootin lil gun, but has a few quirks unique to the caliber. 1st is you have to swab between shots or ever other to keep loading nice and easy. 2nd.. dont use the factory wooden ram rods! I broke two before going with a brass rod.

Always wanted a .36 especially the Shenandoah but never got one before they were discontinued. Might get one soon before the inventory dries up completely.
 
I am guessing that way back in the 18th century when most only owned one gun it did everything from squirrels to elk since there were still elk and bison in the eastern woods. Most couldn't afford several guns like we can today and think we need a separate gun for each day of the week. Thats why I mentioned the OPs 45 he already owns. He said he has killed deer with it and it will do yoeman service as a squirrel killer. D. Boone would have thought so.
 
I am guessing that way back in the 18th century when most only owned one gun it did everything from squirrels to elk since there were still elk and bison in the eastern woods. Most couldn't afford several guns like we can today and think we need a separate gun for each day of the week. Thats why I mentioned the OPs 45 he already owns. He said he has killed deer with it and it will do yoeman service as a squirrel killer. D. Boone would have thought so.
yep people back then were poor and so one gun had to do it and that's why most tried to get there hands on a smoothbore as it can be used for small game all the way up and to big game! It was a very versatile gun that can be used for a lot of things!
 
Some states do regulate the calibers you can use during small game only season. When i lived in Georgia and SC it had to be .40cal or below, so using the
45 during small game only season may not be an option for OP.
 
Anyone heard of the Crocket rifle in 32cal.? It's by Traditions I think. Nice rifle. A little small though. Pedersoli makes a fairly nice Frontier rifle in 36cal. also. Long 39 inch barrel.
Small game can be ruined with either the 32 or the 36. I think it's good to start with small powder loads and work up to where the accuracy is.

I built a small 32 fer the wife and used a Green Mountain barrel. Shoots real well. I go with the 36 and keep the charge down to 30gr. FFFg. I go fer the head shots on squirrel and if I do a behind the shoulder shot I try to keep it a little low. The little rib bones can ruin meat. Of course a head shot that is too close to the rear of the head can ruin some shoulder meat.
 
Anyone heard of the Crocket rifle in 32cal.? It's by Traditions I think. Nice rifle. A little small though. Pedersoli makes a fairly nice Frontier rifle in 36cal. also. Long 39 inch barrel.
Small game can be ruined with either the 32 or the 36. I think it's good to start with small powder loads and work up to where the accuracy is.

I built a small 32 fer the wife and used a Green Mountain barrel. Shoots real well. I go with the 36 and keep the charge down to 30gr. FFFg. I go fer the head shots on squirrel and if I do a behind the shoulder shot I try to keep it a little low. The little rib bones can ruin meat. Of course a head shot that is too close to the rear of the head can ruin some shoulder meat.
as one follower knows me by now I love flintlocks and are looking to either trade my navy arms 10g double barrel BP shotgun or sell it for a 36 or 32 caliber flintlock rifle in good condition, as I now have my French fusil in 20 gauge smoothbore but I also want a small bore flintlock rifle to try some challenging squirrel hunting!
 
so guys I am torn as I want one of these for squirrel hunting? so which one you prefer and why?
Sorry, but that seems like overkill in my opinion unless you're shooting at range much over 15 yards. I'd probably go with percussion. Less time between ignition of the priming and the ball leaving the barrel. Squirrels are fast, tiny and spook easy. If you insist on using flintlocks, I'd advise a very fine priming charge, plus you might be best served by loading with birdshot for short range, cast lead bullet for long range. With shot, about 1/3 the amount of #7 you'd find in a .410 shell for good measure. Might want to add in a shot cup or fill the spaces between the shot with corn starch to tighten spread a bit. With bullets, any round nose projectile should work great on squirrels if you're not trying to splatter the critter to bits and pieces. Works best if you've a smooth bore, otherwise I wouldn't bother past about 12' with birdshot. If you'd like to save money and improve your hunt, I'd go with a brass-framed 1863 Pocket Remington replica, load it with about 15 grains of your flintlock priming powder or FFFG 777 and 0 buckshot pellet in 4 or 5 chambers depending on the replica safety features, if any. .36 cal. seems like overkill and not worth the added cost unless you'd like to keep it for more than just hunting small game, or you're shooting soft loads, with round balls, and are prepared for significant bullet drop. At least you'd have less drift with balls VS bullets, but between standard charge in .32 and soft charge in .36, I'd think it's about the same amount of powder. The choice is yours, but I'd personally go with the .32, .31, a .22 LR or get a break-barrel pellet rifle for squirrels.
 
I have a little Crockett rifle and it gives up nothing in the accuracy department to a T/C, a CVA, or a Pedersoli. Not much worry about wind blowing the ball around in the squirrel woods. 15-20 gr. 3f and a .310 ball with .010" patch does it in mine. Had trouble with the inside of the hammer dragging on the lockplate but a small amount of grinding fixed that. If they just made one in flint now....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top