Which rifle caliber?

[Red Eye Fred]

I am thinking of buying a Petersoili flintlock. They list 32, 36, 45, and 50 caliber models. This will be primarily a wall hanger, But I will be shooting this primarily at a range with no hunting. I already have a couple of 50 caliber percussion rifles.
I was thinking of the 32 or 36. But what is the consensus?

 

[tark]

I am just getting back into BP shooting, but it seems to me that .36 and .45 caliber balls are the easiest to find. Since you said you probably wouldn't be hunting with it I would assume you will be shooting round balls.

 

[delrom418]

I would buy the .50 cal. just so I wouldn't have to buy all new balls, jags, patches, etc. The smaller calibers might even require smaller diameter cleaning rods/range rods too.

 

[D. Buck Stopshere]

Of the two, .32 & .36, the .36 caliber offers more accuracy, and is easier to load. Unless you have a stainless steel range rod, the .32 caliber can be a little tricky to load with a wood ramrod, since its diameter must be smaller than the bore size. A 1/4" diameter wood ramrod is fragile if one is not careful.

The .36 caliber is the caliber of choice among national champion competitors. It has the optimum ballistics for delivery out to 100 yards, and easier on the shoulder than a .45 or .50 caliber. The late Bob Watts of Stone Mtn, GA, who built my flint .40 caliber longrifle, won the NMLRA National Flint Offhand Championship with his .36 caliber longrifle in 1976.

Between 1860 & 1890, the most popular caliber for accurate target shooting, bench or offhand, was .38 caliber.

The .45 caliber is, IMHO, also great for target work, but the .36 caliber shoots flatter, and less recoil.

 

[Hanshi]

Being mostly a wall hanger it really doesn't matter a whole lot what caliber you choose. My last flintlock was a .32 tack driver from TVM. In your case I'd suggest the .36.

 

[Red Eye Fred]

Thanks, I will probably go ahead and get a 36.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I was talking to a fellow who was shooting 25 cal RB today. He used only 10 grains of powder and was doing well. Kept almost all his balls in the black at 25 yrds. At ten grains of powder, I think that's 700 shots per 1 lb can. That'll last forever. Small balls do have their advantages.

 

[fineredmist]

I have a .50 cal precussion rifle and two .50 cal flinters and it is nice to have only one set of tools for all three, think about it. I don't hunt with them so the caliber doesn't matter it just happens that the first one was a .50 so why complicate the matter and buy a different one?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

There are advantages to either .36 or .50. In either case, IF you're using a flinter, you must use black powder. I'd suggest 3Fg for both main charge and priming powder.

The .36 is cheaper to shoot, but the savings between the two are pennies, though a pound of powder goes twice as far in many cases.
The .36 is super easy on recoil, so shoot all day at the range, AND you also have a small game rifle if you ever do go hunting.
The .36 makes a good rifle if there ever comes a time to bring youngsters to the range for black powder.

The .50 would match your current shooting supplies.
The .50 is good for large game such as deer, and is better if you try long range shooting at 100 yards.
While locating bullets may not ever be a problem, locating the right sized flints may be easier to find for the lock on a .50 caliber rifle. (This is subjective as some companies and even private builders will use the exact same lock on their rifles, only changing the caliber of the barrel.)

LD

 

[TimSr]

I would buy the .50 cal. just so I wouldn't have to buy all new balls, jags, patches, etc.

my thoughts too.

 

[Jim Watson]

If it is a different make from what he already has, he might have to buy different balls and patches to suit the bore and rifling plan anyhow.
I'd get the .36.

 

[Noz]

My experience says that the smaller the caliber, the more difficult cleaning, loading and unloading become.
I had a Pederosoli 36 that I hated passionately.

 

[TheSquire]

I have several blackpowder rifles from .36 to .50 as well as a smoothbore musket at .70; they all have different shooting characteristics but for me the biggest difference is the cost of the lead. The .70 musket round balls weigh in at over an ounce each!
Having said that, if you are not going to shoot it much, I'd say go with your heart; life is far too short to shoot an ugly gun!

 

[BCRider]

I gotta agree that the .36 would be borderline small for allowing easy cleaning. The rods are smaller and generally getting a good size patch down the bore will be tougher. But not as tough as a .32.....

If the .36 is on the edge then the .45 is a nice size. I don't really find much difference between the easily swabbed out .50 I've got and the recently obtained .45.

Of course if you never had anything larger than the .36 will do nicely since you'll simply develop your own methods and tricks. So likely as not it'll all work out just fine.

 

[bannockburn]

Since I already have a .50 I would probably stick to that caliber. But if you're looking to add a little spice to your blackpowder life then the .36 might be just the ticket for that.

 

[Red Eye Fred]

Well I ordered the .32 caliber. I am expecting it in about two weeks.

 

[whughett]

Well I ordered the .32 caliber. I am expecting it in about two weeks.

.32 eh. have a pocket pistol in that caliber, itzbitz balls, would make a fine squirrel rifle. Some of my long ago hunting was squirrel hunting. Sit under a tree and snipe with a fine bolt action 22.