.36 or .45????

[vern castle]

I am new to flintlocks and need some help deciding between a .36 or a .45 caliber flintlock.
I own a .54 so I am set for deer hunting but would like something for squirrel and plinking.
Thank you all in advance for the advice.
Vern Castle

 

[410-er]

If you are going to use it for squirrels and rabbits,I vote for the 32.If you are after turkey,fox,yotes,etc.the 36.I have the 32 in perc. but one of these days I'm gonna get me a flinter in one.

 

[FishDFly]

Given what you asked for, it would be a 36.

RDE

 

[nchawkeye]

I have a .54 for hunting and a .40 for other stuff...With a .40 you can still use a 3/8 ramrod...I use 25grs FFF for squirrels, 40grs for targets out at 50 yards and 50grs for foxes, coyotes, turkeys, etc...

 

[Robin Camp]

A .40 cal seems mighty big for squirrels, to me. It reminds me of the time I took my old girl friend squirrel huntin with me. She was some kind of ugly. We spotted a nice fox squirrel up about 30" in a white oak, and when he looked at her, and she grinned at him, he just plum fell out of the tree stone cold dead. I had to quit takin her with me though, she was terring up the squirrels too bad.....Robin

 

[mmahlock]

If you intend to participate in any squirrel gun shoots the largest caliber they allow is .40. At least that is the way it is out west.

If you want it for small things then I'd go with .36. Its not too small for some things or too bit for others.

JMHO :hatsoff:

 

[Golfswithwolves]

:rotf:

 

[renovato]

I think I'd go for the .36. It's a nice intermediate size and will be cheaper to shoot. I prefer a .32 but they tend to foul quicker.

 

[Gemoke]

I vote for the 36 you can buy 000 buck shot by the 5 lbs box and shoot it all day.

 

[MikeC]

.36 for sure. Perfect squirrel round. Not much bigger than a .32 handles windy days much better and does not foul as quickly, which is great if the action picks up and you have some fast action in one tree with a few squirrels playing hide and seek.

And yes do buy a box of 000 buckshot.

 

[merdean]

I have both .32 and .36. I use the .36 90% of the time on squirrels. The only time I don't use the .36 is when I loan it to a buddy then I use the .32. Given that, I would recommend the .36.

 

[vern castle]

Thank you all very much for the advice.
I was leaning towards .36 and you have all given me more to go on.
Thank you again,
Vern Castle

 

[boar]

I would go for .36,.32 better yet.Less powder&lead. .32 will kill a groundhog with 20grs 3ff, with good shot placement.And it won't tear up your squirrel or rabbit. Dilly

 

[torn moc]

Actually Both are nice...I have two .32's
and one .36.
You will probably wind up with both a .32 and a .36 so I wouldnt spen too much time deciding!! :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:
I wouldnt even consider a .45

 

[JackAubrey]

I'd vote for the .36,it has a bit more poke than the .32 if you decide to go for something a tad larger than a squirrel.Best regards,J.A.