.32 round ball for deer

Means what the title says. Do you think it is possible to cleanly take a whitetail deer with the little 32 caliber pea? Not saying its a good idea but could it be done in a real emergency situation? I understand some people use it for large hog but would it be too far of a stretch to use a 32 if you had to. Note. I make muzzleloading guns, I do not have any for myself. So no worries.

 

[Rusty_Nail]

In Pennsylvania, the minimum allowed for deer is .45 cal rifle, or 50 cal. pistol.

My understanding is it has to do with classification by the PA. Game Commission as the minimum for a humane kill.

 

[MacRob46]

I don't think you can drive the .32 projectile fast enough or generate enough energy to have a clean kill on deer-size game. Most states with muzzle loading seasons have minimum caliber regulations and .45 cal. seems to be the preferred minimum.

 

[Rusty_Nail]

Here you go, primitive season for Louisiana off of the web site;

1. Rifles or pistols, .44 caliber minimum, or shotguns 10 gauge or smaller, all of which must load exclusively from the muzzle or cap and ball cylinder, use black powder or approved substitute only, take ball or bullet projectile only...

The last part mentioned unmentionable skirted thingies and non-cap or flint weapons! :shake:

 

[Col. Batguano]

Sure you could if you had to. It'd be along the same lines as using a 30 carbine I think. Elephants have been taken with a .22 long rifle, and, so have lots of deer. It's just not a real good idea. On deer, with that little pill, head shots from close range would be the best of course.

 

[nkbj]

It's been a while but I've read writings by people that did. Close stalk and head shot.

 

Some states have a 36-38 limit with 40 being the minimum in quite a few states. These calibers already being on the light side of deer taking ability.

 

[Billnpatti]

There is a great deal of difference between "It can be done." and "It should be done." Just because someone tells you that you could kill a deer with a .32 doesn't mean that you should try to do it. The probability of only wounding the animal and it getting away only to die slowly and painfully is way too great to make it an ethical thing to do. The .32 is a sweet little round but is best used for squirrels, rabbits, varmints and paper targets. For deer, I am of the personal opinion that you need to use at least a .50 caliber. However, I will admit that a .45 caliber will take a deer cleanly and is allowed in several states. Many states require a .50 caliber or greater for hunting deer.

 

[tbarnes66]

My brother once hit a nice 10pt late at night with his van. The deer was still alive, but couldn't get up with a broke back/hip. All he had with him was a .22 short rifle which I used to shoot him in the head from 3 feet. It bounced right off his skull. I had to go home and get my .270 to finish the job.

As sportsmen, it is our obligation to insure a quick kill to not only minimize suffering, but also to insure recovery.

 

Rusty Nail, I am aware of Louisiana regulation. While I do favor light shooting guns, unlike modern guns, muzzleloaders do depend on bore size for power. I would not use anything smaller than 40 caliber on a deer in another state. But I would feel more comfortable using the 45 round ball. No distant shots of course.

 

270 will definately level a deer, my friend.

 

[tenngun]

I always shoot the chest. But most of my kills are already 25-35 yards. If you had good postion you could get a good head shot, and a .32 would destroy a brain. Caught in the back woods and facing a 2or 3 day walk out I might try a deer better then going hungry.Here in the Ozarks I'm never more then a few hour walk to any road,so I don't spect I would ever try it.

 

[nchawkeye]

My brother once hit a nice 10pt late at night with his van. The deer was still alive, but couldn't get up with a broke back/hip. All he had with him was a .22 short rifle which I used to shoot him in the head from 3 feet. It bounced right off his skull. I had to go home and get my .270 to finish the job.

As sportsmen, it is our obligation to insure a quick kill to not only minimize suffering, but also to insure recovery.

Interesting, I've killed a couple of dozen whitetails with a .22 to the head..... :hmm:

 

[biliff]

FWIW, growing up in NJ, buckshot (most commonly OO) was the only legal option for deer hunting. Basically 9 , 32 caliber balls at 1400 GPS. Obviously the penetration was there to get into the chest cavity and destroy vital tissue at shotgun range. Multiple balls increased the damage and ensured a quick end.

A single rifle ball in the right place (heart) will do it. As others have stated, not legal in most places, not a good practice generally, but doable.

 

[Vaino]

This topic is purely hypothetical....and should be treated as such. No practicality whatsoever....Fred

 

[Grenadier1758]

There's a reason that the 32 caliber is referred to as a squirrel rifle. ...

 

I am sure you can get 1400 out of a bp shotgun if you are lucky with a very heavy charge, but with just 30 grains you can get a little 32 ball out at 2000fps depending on barrel length

 

[dledinger]

I have no question that a 32 ball can reliably kill deer at muzzleloader velocities. It's done all the time, except from a shotgun. What you'll find is that RECOVERING the deer would be very difficult due to lack of blood. When hunting with buckshot, which is required some places I hunt, they need to be close enough to put the whole pattern on their chest. That way they don't go far, but still sometimes bleed very little.

Head shots are a whole nother ball game.

 

The only situation in which this would even remotely apply was if I went out after squirrel or turkey, got lost, and happened upon a deer to pack enough food to get out of there.

 

[Pioneer flinter]

I am with you on this. Remember Hugh Glass killed a grizzly with a Bowie knife that was all he had at the time. he paid the price latter. I think I would want something bigger. shoot straight and God bless