.36 small game rifle

Muzzleloading Forum

Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Ed, I have a Investarms 36 caliber don't know what model I own a 50 cal percussion and found a barrel on flea bay a few years ago that would fit my gun. With the set trigger and 25 to 30 grs of 3 f will make cloverleafs at 50 yards all day long. I did ad a Skinner Peep sight in place of factory V.. Also I don't have to swab it till about 8 or 10 shots when hunting.
 
I had an Investarms Pensilvania in 36 which I purchased back in 89. Great shooter, won many a contest with it.
Quality was great, inleting clean, patchbox was some foreign design but that’s about it.
Accuracy was tops, shot a little heavy of a load at 50gr fff / w .350 ball, ..015 patch, but back in that day I could hit a 2” X-ring at 100yds.
 
20241202_145746.jpg

What are your average size groups at 50 yards?
50yds off hand with .36cal T/C HAWKEN with Rice barrel. 30grFFFg, .360RB, 0.014" pillow ticking dampened with 50/50 alcohol/ Simple-Green.

20240930_142737.jpg


100yds off the bench using same patch/ ball with 60gr FFFg
 
Last edited:
Can anyone explain to me why there is a lack of available information out there on the Investarms .36 Santa Fe rifle? I’m not finding anything other than on Muzzle-Loader's .com and one older thread on here from last year, and it wasn’t very favorable. Why no range time videos? Why no reviews?

Why not advertise on this site for the .36 rifle you're looking for, surely theres more than a few guys around thinking about downsizing and selling.
 
Why not advertise on this site for the .36 rifle you're looking for, surely theres more than a few guys around thinking about downsizing and selling.
Because, as I have said in two different locations (once here and I made a thread in the percussion sub forum) I'm not finding information. I have searched the net for days trying to find range and target information on the Investarms .36 Santa Fe Hawken. I have not been able to find any more. Its kind of difficult for me to let go of $649.00 without more credible information.

The only site I know of is Muzzlel-loaders.com and they do not show any range or target information. One would think that unless sales are booming, why would they not advertise this ML more? Why the lack of information? Why no credible videos of range time and targets to be found?
 
Last edited:
I really envy you guys that can shoot out hummingbird eyeballs off-hand all day at 50+ yards with open sights on .36 bp ml's...

View attachment 370565

Because, as I have said in two different locations (once here and I made a thread in the percussion sub forum) I'm not finding information. I have searched the net for days trying to find range and target information on the Investarms .36 Santa Fe Hawken. I have not been able to find any more. Its kind of difficult for me to let go of $649.00 without more credible information.

The only site I know of is Muzzlel-loaders.com and they do not show any range or target information. One would think that unless sales are booming, why would they not advertise this ML more? Why the lack of information? Why no credible videos of range time and targets to be found?
There is a thread from ‘23 titled, Investarms Santa Fe Hawken .36cal. A little firsthand, out of the box info.
No clue how to copy and paste link, or would have done it.
 
There is a thread from ‘23 titled, Investarms Santa Fe Hawken .36cal. A little firsthand, out of the box info.
No clue how to copy and paste link, or would have done it.
I believe that’s the one that I was referring to, but not sure. That one didn’t have any updates other than he thought he had it nailed down. No follow up range testing or video on the follow-up.

Considering those rifles have been out for a while now, I’m surprised by the lack of video reviews of range testing. This does not look good on the manufacturer nor Muzzle-Loaders.com.
 
I would saythe lack of complaints is something in itself.
Way more likey to see posts bitching about a issue than saying its all good.
I bought one from Muzzle-Loaders.com and its a great rifle out the box.
I don't feel any need to make a video about it doesn't mean its bad.
 
I would saythe lack of complaints is something in itself.
Way more likey to see posts bitching about a issue than saying its all good.
I bought one from Muzzle-Loaders.com and its a great rifle out the box.
I don't feel any need to make a video about it doesn't mean its bad.
I never said it was bad, rather it doesn’t look good for the manufacturer nor Muzzle-loader.com.

I disagree with you about more posts complaining of an issue rather than stating how good a ML is for them. Many people will have issues with just about anything. They are mostly just looking for information on how to rectify those issues. Much of the time it’s from older ML that are worn or have not been kept up well. Not new ones.

On the other hand, when a particular ML shoots awesome, accurately and reliably, people post of such. If those posts are from actual range videos or pictures of targets to back up their claims, it gives credence to the information. In my particular case, the lack of information is not good and certainly will not sell me on a particular product. It may very well be a good, accurate ML, but I want to see more proof before I pay $650.00 for one. It doesn’t take much to make a video and post it and would certainly be good for sales.
 
I never said it was bad, rather it doesn’t look good for the manufacturer nor Muzzle-loader.com.

I disagree with you about more posts complaining of an issue rather than stating how good a ML is for them. Many people will have issues with just about anything. They are mostly just looking for information on how to rectify those issues. Much of the time it’s from older ML that are worn or have not been kept up well. Not new ones.

On the other hand, when a particular ML shoots awesome, accurately and reliably, people post of such. If those posts are from actual range videos or pictures of targets to back up their claims, it gives credence to the information. In my particular case, the lack of information is not good and certainly will not sell me on a particular product. It may very well be a good, accurate ML, but I want to see more proof before I pay $650.00 for one. It doesn’t take much to make a video and post it and would certainly be good for sales.
If it means that much to you we are gonna try the day after xmas and I will get some pics for you.
I hate stopping shooting to film and pose makes me feel goofy.
😆
If there were any actual issues I would be squawking.
 
If it means that much to you we are gonna try the day after xmas and I will get some pics for you.
I hate stopping shooting to film and pose makes me feel goofy.
😆
If there were any actual issues I would be squawking.
That’s cool. I do not expect anyone to do a range test with videos other than the manufacturer or dealers that sells them. Much of the time they will send a product to someone else in the sport to do so as a review. So that helps. There’s tons of YouTube videos out there from people that have range tested a certain product as well, which helps.

I’m hoping that .36 has some good reviews in the future.
 
There are a few people who do YouTube and similar video reviews and how-to videos, but not many. Think part of the issue may be generational.

I am 60, and when I go to my clubs annual general membership meeting, always seems that I'm the youngest guy in the room.

And small-bore ML even traditional ML in total, are such a tiny fraction of the arms market. Would be surprised if they sell more than one or two hundred Investarm Santa-Fe's a year, at their price, profit margin on these can't be much, and probably doesn't afford much of an advertising budget.
 
Last edited:
I have an older .45 invest arms percussion , never dated it. It was my match rifle until i switched to flint. Build quality is great shoots great.
Still not sure if you are asking the quality of the gun or if the caliber is your question.
 
Relate-able to the TC Seneca in .36... since I mentioned that to Ed via PM:
25 grains Swiss 3F
.015 patch with 60/40 Dawn/water, wet and then squeeze-pressed between notebook paper sheets before loading

25 yards, 1-1/2 inch square, aim point was the bottom of the square. I cleaned after the first group of 5 shots, did NOT swab between shots. These are the 6th thru 15th shots from the gun, which was new to me but in excellent used condition.

I ended up moving the sight another 1/8 turn to the right after the group on the right was done. The load will get me easily to 30 with the same aim point. I think at 35 to 40 it would be aim-at-the middle and at 50, aim-at-the-top. So, in squirrel terms: aim below the eye; at the eye; above the eye?
 

Attachments

  • 20240823_092228.jpg
    20240823_092228.jpg
    829.1 KB
Spike, I'm very happy with my.32 Crockett for most of my squirrel hunting. It has served me well. I find it to be plenty for most of my shots, but not all. When it comes time to stretch out the distance, I'm finding my Crockett does not like to cooperate very well. It can be a difficult rifle to shoot on anything other than pretty much perfect shooters form. In the steep terrain I hunt, that is often an issue.

I actually have two Crockett's. Considering selling one to help finance either a .36 or .40 that has a straighter stock with no crescent. Its to my belief that just might be the ticket for longer shots, especially in steep, uneven terrain.

I'll most likely always keep one of my Crockett rifles.
Is is because of the shape/fit of the rifle that its difficult to shoot?
 
Ed, I have a Investarms 36 caliber don't know what model I own a 50 cal percussion and found a barrel on flea bay a few years ago that would fit my gun. With the set trigger and 25 to 30 grs of 3 f will make cloverleafs at 50 yards all day long. I did ad a Skinner Peep sight in place of factory V.. Also I don't have to swab it till about 8 or 10 shots when hunting.
How do you like it overall?
 
I have an older .45 invest arms percussion , never dated it. It was my match rifle until i switched to flint. Build quality is great shoots great.
Still not sure if you are asking the quality of the gun or if the caliber is your question.
Much appreciated knowing that the company makes good quality!
 
Back
Top