.36 caliber round ball loads

Hello folks. Haven't posted in a while. Been busy putting together a 36 caliber percussion rifle for a friend with a 36 inch barrel and was wondering what sort of loads do you use in your .36? How far do you like to shoot? How about a maximum useful charge?

 

[Wes/Tex]

Have used anywhere from 15 to 50 grains in different .36 cal. rifles. The variety depended on twist rate. The TC's had a fast 1-30" twist and took loads of FFFg in the 15 to 35 range well. Long rifles with slower twist usually went 25 to 50, several liked about 40. Seems they hit the 'law of diminishing returns' level in the 45 to 50 range. You can use more but the advantage in velocity gets kinda thin there. :wink:

 

[Thing]

I have a TVM in 36 . I use 40 grains as an accurate load. I have shot groundhogs out to 75 yards with this load. It tough as the sights cover up the hog . Should be no problem out to 50 yards. Sometme I use 20 grains for squirrels were the shots are up close in woods.
I have used 5 grains of black powder 3F and 30 grains of pyrodex on top of that. The black powder sets off the pyrodex fairly quick. Seems to be most accurate with 35 to 40 grains.

 

[Rat Trapper]

30 to 40 grains of Goex 3F in my TC Seneca works best.

 

[hanshi]

My .36 is a flintlock but I like 20 grains of 3F for small game. That load's accurate out to 88 yards and just a few inches low.

 

[Toomuch51]

Just my 2 cents, as every barrel tends to like it's own sweet spot. I built a .36 longrifle with a 43" Montana barrel (1:70 twist) that likes a.355 ball with .017 tick patch over 35gr. of 3f. this produces 1 1/4 groups off of sand bag rest at 100 yd.

Toomuch
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Shoot Flint

 

Somebody reads Fadala..

 

Never thought pyrodex would have problems in a caplock rifle. I never had a problem with that in caplocks. Damn near useless for flintlocks though.

 

The Seneca has a 25 inch barrel dont it?

 

[stinkyfeet]

000 buckshot round, .015 patch, 40 grains of 3f does the trick for me.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Only for the Cherokee the first two .36's I had date back to the early 70's! One was one of those old H&A "Minutemen" jobs. Now there was a project!! :thumbsup:

 

[azmntman]

I have loaded 10 gr 3f under 20 gr pyrodex in my flint, likes it, no ignition problems.

 

[arw22lr]

My best load so far in my .36 cap-lock rifle is 45 gr. fffG/.350 rb/ .018 patch with Hoppes #9 plus. 40 gr. is close but 45 gr. is more accurate. The barrel is by Rayle, I think a 1:48 twist.

 

[Rat Trapper]

The Seneca has a 25 inch barrel dont it?

27 inch barrel.

 

[Billnpatti]

My .36 likes 40 grains of 3f Goex for targets and for hunting squirrels. If the weather permits (above freezing) it likes for me to use spit for lubing my patches. It also seems to like patches that are lightly lubed with Bore Butter. I use a .350 ball with a patch that measures .015 uncompressed and .008 compressed.

 

[Bigpete]

My TC Seneca must be odd. It seems to love a heavy charge. I'm using 60gn of 2f and it loves it. Wish it didn't,its not very economical

 

[reddogge]

.350 round ball, 35 gr Swiss 3F. The initial sighting in was 10 shots in 1 1/4" at 50 yards. H&H barrel.

 

[ETipp]

Old thread but still very pertinent.

Still kicking around the question of which one for my next squirrel rifle, .32 or .36 caliber. I must say that some of the reports of 40 + grains of powder in some of the .36 calibers is an eyebrow raiser for this ole boy. One reason why I like my current .32 caliber so much is due to it being so economical as well as less report upon firing in the squirrel woods.

I would like to hear more from .36 caliber owners on this to help me with my decision.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Old thread but still very pertinent.

Still kicking around the question of which one for my next squirrel rifle, .32 or .36 caliber. I must say that some of the reports of 40 + grains of powder in some of the .36 calibers is an eyebrow raiser for this ole boy. One reason why I like my current .32 caliber so much is due to it being so economical as well as less report upon firing in the squirrel woods.

I would like to hear more from .36 caliber owners on this to help me with my decision.

Haven't botherd to finish load work ups. Oregon barrel works .36 cal. barrel 1;48, 38 inch. I can say it doesn't like anything less than 30 gr. likes 35-40, anything in that range cracks. No stealth involved. Have found a bunch of things it doesn't like. Always fun and brings a smile.