Is 36 Cal Overkill for Rabbits & Squirrels

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

I've been on the look out for a 32 or 36 cal percussion rifle with the intent of Rabbit and Squirrel hunting. Discussion in birdshot8's post highlighting a nice 36 cal Euroarms Kentuckian got me questioning, is 36 Cal Overkill for Rabbits & Squirrels?

For the intended purpose, should I limit my search to a 32?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Not if you shot 'em in the head.

 

[birdshot8's]

Mr. Blue, I would have rather found a 32, though I was not even looking for a small caliber rifle when I found mine. A couple of internet searches reveals... The benefit of less energy for the 32, is slightly outweighed when longer distances are required. The 36 uses 000 buckshot the 32 uses 00. I was told the 32 fouls faster.

 

[damoc]

I realy dont see it making a whole lot of difference 50,45,36, 32 all will or at least should pass right through a small target and damage a lot of meat.

and from what i have heard small calibers foul up faster.

 

[Dmitri Popov]

Depends on you powder load. Thats the nice thing about muzzleloaders, you can load it stout enough to pass clean through three rabbits, or bounce off of 'em! Just adjust your load to do what you need it to do. Find a good, accurate light load and go on.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Depends on you powder load...

That is the line along which I was originally thinking, but a 36 cal ball is a lot bigger than the 22LR I use today so that's why I ask for input from the experienced folks.

 

[damoc]

my favorite load for rabbit stew has always been a shot to the head ive seen a lot of good rabbit flesh ruined by .22 lr as well when it hits the body area.

yes you can drop loads and loose range or wound animals but even a bruise will
ruin meat.

this is probably why shotguns and trapping was invented

I think the important thing with BP round ball loads is that generally they dont explode
like modern high speed varmitt bullets.

sure you could have a 50 cal hole through the engine room of peter bunny or a 32 cal hole both have a very good chance of ruining the same parts of meat.

I just dont see there is very much in it except a little extra bullet/powder cost

 

[Gordon]

Sub .40 caliber muzzle loaders weren't called "squirrel rifle" for 150 years + for no reason.

 

[72coupe]

I used to shoot 80 to 120 jackrabbits per weekend. Those days are over. Now you are lucky to see 5 jackrabbits per month.

With that in mind I think the fouling of a 32 should not be a problem.

 

[Noz]

The owners of 32 and 36 cal muzzle loaders as a group take a great deal of pride in their guns performance and their skill as a shooter.
Most limit themselves to head shots.
That being the case body destruction does not come into the picture.

 

[Hanshi]

I have both and they have served equally well on squirrels. For a dedicated small game rifle I recommend the .32. A .36 is a very close second. Just work up a mild, accurate load and aim for the head. But if you hit them in the middle with that load remember there's nothing much there to ruin. I've hit them in the midsection with my .32 and it was no more than what a .22LR will do. Neither fouls any worse or faster than a .50.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Thank you for all the advice.
I realize that Head shots are preferred but I don't see any need for complete removal so I think I'll still pass on the .50 cal for small game. I think I'm leaning more and more toward the .32

 

[Loyalist Dave]

No, a .36 is not overkill, for you may vary the powder load to allow you to take your game without blowing it apart. I hunt rabbit and squirrel with a .40...I only use 30 grains of 3Fg to get the job done, and it does very well.

LD

 

[birdshot8's]

So, have you decided? I had the .36 out today. I remembered to bring a powder measure, and was very pleased with the accuracy. I can consistently hit the top of a can at 25 steps, I am not sure I could hit a squirrel in the head, but am guessing the rifle is capable of hitting a target that size.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

So, have you decided?...

I think I'd prefer a .32, but since the smaller calibers are not as prevalent, I'll have a hard time passing up a deal on a .36. Maybe, I'll let the rifle pick me. They seem to follow me home every once in a while.