36 rifle load.

[Black Powder Guy]

Just got a new 36 caliber rifle for my daughter. She is ex Army so she can shoot if you want to know. lol
I go caliber size for the first size load. What do you folks do?
Thanks Brian

 

[hanshi]

A .310" ball with .015 ticking and 30 grains of 3F is a great starting point. In working up a good load only change one variable at a time.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@Brian Sweeney, the beauty of these smaller calibers is that they are easy on lead and powder. The 0.310 ball @hanshi is recommending is better suited for a 32 caliber rifle. A recommended starting ball for a 36 caliber rifle will be 0.350" in diameter with a patch of 0.015 lubricated with something that will keep the fouling soft. It only takes a small charge of powder to launch one of these tiny balls at a good clip. 12 to 15 grains of powder is where I start in the small caliber load development process.

Your daughter may find that the Army shooting experience is quite different from the Army shooting experience. The muzzleloader experience, with its slow pace, can be quite enjoyable and makes one a more complete part of the rifle and shooting experience. Let's welcome her to traditional muzzle loading. It's up to you help her have an enjoyable experience.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

My TVM .36 flintlock prefers .360 balls.
Tried .350, .355, .357, and settled on the .360.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[hanshi]

My mind was elsewhere, that's all I can say. Yes, of course you'd need a .350" ball or maybe even a little over that depending on your bore. I use a .350" ball and a thick canvas patch, .024". A larger ball as ADK Bigfoot mentions can be used with a thinner patch. Trying different sizes will let you know what the rifle wants. A .310" ball, AHEM! is best used in a .32 rifle.

 

[ohio ramrod]

my boy's 36 cherokee liked a .350 ball, .010 patch, and 25 grain FFF. Rifles with deeper grooved rifling would probably do better with a thicker patch.

 

[Brazos John]

When I bought my .36 Northampton Poorboy with a 38" swamped Rice A-weight barrel, the owner had success with 23 gr of 3F, a .350 ball, and a .010 patch.
I'm fixing to shoot this rifle, and that's what I'll start with, but it's been so hot in Texas that the pan charge would spontaneously ignite!

 

[Grimord]

I have two .36 guns, a flinter and a percussion. The flint lock, with 41" rice radius grooved barrel, 1:48" twist will shoot small groups at 25 yards with 15 grains of 3f, but I use the gun more for winter squirrels, and coyotes. My best load is 35 grains of 3f with a .350 ball in a .015 mink oil lubed patch. The percussion gun likes the same load.

 

[RobertE]

Most folks are kind of astonished that my 36 likes 50 gr of 3F. I started at 35, kept upping the charge and it groups best at 50.
.350 ball, .018 patch, Rice round rifled barrel.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

….I need to get a .36 calibre, I can see that now.

 

[Rodd Boyer]

I run 20gr of Swiss fffg, .350 ball and .013 pillow ticking. It's a squirrel getter!

 

[Black Powder Guy]

Thanks everyone,seeing from 15gr to 50gr. We are going to start with 35gr and see what happens with increasing by 5gr increments up to 50gr.
Then if need be, go down from 35 gr. Thanks Brian

 

[Rodd Boyer]

Here's proof that 20gr gets it done...

 

[Des52]

I have two .36s a Pederolis frontier flint and a Tradition frontier percussion both like 25 gr of 3F. The Pedersoli has a tighter bore and likes .345 balls. The Tradition likes .350. Both like .010 patches with mink oil lube. The Traditions will also shoot maxi balls, makes it a good varmint gun.

 

[Kansas Kid]

You’ll most likely find somewhere between 20 to 40 gr ideal. I shoot 30gr 3f with a fat .350 ball .018-.020 patch.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

My Tennessee likes a .350 ball and 40 grains 3f Swiss.

 

[Gtrubicon]

I haven’t settled on a load yet for my 36 Cherokee, it’s been very accurate from 15 to 40 gn 3f at appropriate distances.

 

[jackpine54]

My .36 shoots great with 25 grains of 3f, .350" ball and .015" ticking. I also get good results with 000 buckshot in place of cast round ball. Either way I use mink oil or other animal grease for patch lube.

 

[Jim K]

You’ll most likely find somewhere between 20 to 40 gr ideal. I shoot 30gr 3f with a fat .350 ball .018-.020 patch.

Yep, same with mine.

 

[1971fx]

.36 CVA squirrel rifle