.36 or .45

[Spikebuck]

In my state, if one is out small game hunting during an open big game season, and carrying a firearm and ammo legal for that big game season, then one had better have the big game license/tag as you will be assumed to be hunting big game. To stay out of trouble, it necessitates using a small game rifle of under .40 caliber (since a .40 is the smallest rifled caliber allowed for deer), a smoothbore under .45 caliber with ball (since a .45 is the smallest smoothbore caliber allowed for deer), or a smoothie of any caliber/gauge while carrying only shot. So sometimes it's not only how one wants to use the gun, but the game laws and/or how they are interpreted, that can be a factor in a decision.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

I use a 45 for everything. Saw folks have problems loading 35 cal. You can always sabot a smaller caliber in a 45.

 

[Zonie]

Sabots and bullets that contain plastic parts are two of the things we don't discuss on the forum.
They didn't exist in 1864 and that is the cut off date for the gun related things we talk about.

 

[Carbon 6]

I use a 45 for everything.

So do I.
Targets,
deer,
small game.
Works great for all of them, light recoil and reasonably cheap to shoot too.