.36 Caliber Fans?

[Smokey Plainsman]

Anyone a fan of .36 caliber muzzleloading rifles? I always heard the smaller bores fouled out quicker and weren’t much fun for target work. But it seems like it’s be economical on powder and lead and low recoil for the little missus.

Anyone out there actually shoot a .36 for fun and enjoy it?

 

[William Lincoln]

36 cal is legal for deer in most places. Think like 38 cal. The main con is that you have
to keep an extra loading stock and mold if you cast your own. Remember you can light
load a 45 cal and it is fine for youth and petite ladies too. The economy is becoming
a major consideration at the range. On the hunt ,think sufficient velocity for humane
kill. Often the smaller caliber proves more accurate at reasonable ranges (-100 yds).

 

[MountainSmoke]

Not a direct answer to your question but I absolutely love shooting my little 32 caliber. Whoever said small calibers aren't much fun for target shooting doesn't know what they are talking about! As far as more fouling goes I never noticed but I swab between shots regardless of caliber. Economical, absolutely! With a mere 15 grain powder charge the 32 can be fired 6 or seven times using the same about of powder that a larger bore gun might use in one shot. A pound of powder last forever with a 32 or 36, not to mention those little round balls use hardly any lead if you cast your own. In my opinion it is the most " fun" gun that I own!

 

[Flintlock]

36 cal is legal for deer in most places. Think like 38 cal. The main con is that you have
to keep an extra loading stock and mold if you cast your own. Remember you can light
load a 45 cal and it is fine for youth and petite ladies too. The economy is becoming
a major consideration at the range. On the hunt ,think sufficient velocity for humane
kill. Often the smaller caliber proves more accurate at reasonable ranges (-100 yds).

I thought that there was very few places where a .36 was legal for deer,

 

[William Lincoln]

FLINTLOCK : Florida reduced the cal to 30 cal under pressure from airgun hunters. you are probably
right. We did have a 45 minimum. So, my comment is for Florida-- Sorry. for the
mis-statement. But for small game 36 would be widely legal.

 

[CTShooter]

For small game in CT I can substitute a .36 muzzleloader for a modern .22. I would love to find a .36. For deer we have a .45 minimum.

 

[david w]

I have a .36 SMR that is very accurate and fu to shoot. Fouling depends on the lube used. I use Moose Milk and don't have loading problems.

 

[William Lincoln]

I opposed it ,but the Game Commission allows airguns to hunt in the general gun season
here in Florida. But they must be 30 cal pcp or up. Florida is very pro hunting. Also
at 65 Florida gives you a free hunting and fishing license--but the muzzle loading stamp
is extra.

 

[Flintlock]

We should remember as well the a large whiteail buck in Florida is the size of a yearling in northern states. What is a passible caliber in some states shouldn't be used in others.

 

[david w]

We should remember as well the a large whiteail buck in Florida is the size of a yearling in northern states. What is a passible caliber in some states shouldn't be used in others.

I hunt close to the Mississippi River. These deer can make three of Florida deer.

 

[rdane]

I used a 36 for 20 years in competition, and won a lot. Never had a problem with fowling.

 

[Grimord]

I like the .36 for late season squirrel hunting when the shooting is at somewhat longer ranges due to the lack of leaves on the trees. I also use my .36's (2 percussion and 1 flinter) for our local club trail walks. Out to 75 yards or so I can keep a 2.5" group if the wind is not too strong. Here in CT, the .36 is the largest caliber (with round ball only) that can be used for hunting on State land for small game. I use the .36 for called in coyotes. It drops them quick.

 

[Snydly]

Anyone a fan of .36 caliber muzzleloading rifles? I always heard the smaller bores fouled out quicker and weren’t much fun for target work. But it seems like it’s be economical on powder and lead and low recoil for the little missus.

Anyone out there actually shoot a .36 for fun and enjoy it?

Been shooting my 36 for many years now. Excellent shooter, very accurate ..at least to 75 yards, which is where I consider my limit with it. Neve had a problem with excessive fowling. Not legal to hunt big game in Wy. You must shoot at least a .40 for that. But it is an excellent turkey gun! Pure misery on coyotes, squirrels and other small critters.

 

[Rodd Boyer]

I use a .36 for small game hunting and plinking.... I can go for 15+ shots before it gets hard to load. All depends on lube, I guess.

 

[rchas]

My personal opinion is that the .36 is the best of the small calibers. More range than the .32, but not as likely to tear up game as a .40. Not saying that either of those calibers are bad, or aren't fun to shoot--just that .36 hits the sweet spot. I have two, and they both get lots of range and hunting time.

 

[Timber Wolf]

I had not really considered a .36 until a Kibler SMR in the caliber kinda fell into my lap. I have really enjoyed owning and shooting the Kibler. I have a .32 (Traditions Crockett) as well and like it for target work. I have not hunted either one yet, just haven’t taken the time to make that happen. I don’t shoot either one as much as I would like as I like a larger caliber for our Woods Walks. I don’t like guessing if I hit some of our larger steel targets. I have seen guys do alright with a .36, but others wonder if they hit stuff with the smaller .32. I have not noticed any particular fouling issues with the .36 and tend to swab between shots (w/ a prepackaged alcohol swab) in the .32, but I don’t think I really had to.

 

[waksupi]

I have a .36 with round bottom rifling. Worst fouling of all my guns. I've heard the same complaints about other calibers with round bottom rifling, too. I need to swab the bore every other shot to keep accuracy good.
Something I like about a .36, I can order the right size buckshot from Ballistics Products, and get a lot of bang for the buck. For me, there is nothing so discouraging when casing bullets, than to see an hours effort to be something that is easily held in the palm of my hand. When I cast for my 20 bore or .62 rifle, I see progress!

 

[Des52]

I have two .36 caliber riffles and love both. I did have trouble with fouling until I started to use TOTW mink oil on my patches. Went from maybe two to three shots before swabing to ten to twelve. I do use 4F in them some too.

 

[Thomas.bill92]

I have a Pedersoli Frontier in .36 and have grown to really enjoy it. I can't speak too much on the fouling because I think most of my problems came from the previous owner not cleaning the rifle much. I have to shoot it with pyrodex because real black causes hard loading after the first shot. I have shot about 50 times in a row without swabbing the bore, pillow ticking and straight mink oil keep her running pretty good. Good economical caliber to shoot a lot!

 

[LME]

Not a direct answer to your question but I absolutely love shooting my little 32 caliber. Whoever said small calibers aren't much fun for target shooting doesn't know what they are talking about! As far as more fouling goes I never noticed but I swab between shots regardless of caliber. Economical, absolutely! With a mere 15 grain powder charge the 32 can be fired 6 or seven times using the same about of powder that a larger bore gun might use in one shot. A pound of powder last forever with a 32 or 36, not to mention those little round balls use hardly any lead if you cast your own. In my opinion it is the most " fun" gun that I own!

I wish you hadn't posted this one? now you stirred me up and I am wanting one!