.45 for squirrel? Powder charges?

[MedicMike3762]

Hey guys, working on sighting in my new M Kemper rifle in .45. Did a bunch of off hand yesterday @ 25 yards and this thing is a shooter! Shoots same POI with 50gr as it does with 25gr. My question is, can a .45 be used for squirrel as a good option? Also I don’t have a chronograph so I’m not sure what the FPS is in the 25gr load I would like to be below 1000 fps for a squirrel. I love the idea of one rifle to rule them all and if I can tackle everything from Missouri whitetail to squirrels with one gun that would be fantastic! Let me know your thoughts! Do any of you shoot squirrel with a .45 RB or am I crazy??

 

[duca]

Beautiful Rifle! I suppose you could always Bark a Squirrel

 

[MedicMike3762]

Beautiful Rifle! I suppose you could always Bark a Squirrel

Barking a squirrel is shooting the limb below them correct?

 

[azmntman]

Just shoot the most accurate load and hit the head. Yer not planning on mounting it right?

 

[MedicMike3762]

Just shoot the most accurate load and hit the head. Yer not planning on mounting it right?

No sir, hadn’t planned on that, but now that you mentioned it I have been seeing some big squirts lately! Wonder what the state record is???

 

[azmntman]

I tell you Gods truth I once had a tree rat jump out of a tree in between me and the German Sheperd and it was so big it scared us both and got up another tree. Not in season but he was near half as big as the dog. I WOULD HAVE MOUNTED HIM

 

[Art Caputo]

Interesting to see your post. I have a 45 cal Dickert Early Lancaster rifle also made my Marvin Kemper. Besides being my finest rifle, I do consider it to be my “do it all” rifle. It’s exceptionally accurate, with fast/easy loading and no swabbing. Very effective in whitetails, and no problem with head shots on squirrels, usually shot in the late season when I combine squirrel hunting with coyote hunting. While my rifle shoots as well with reduced loads, I usually use the same load for all my hunting.

 

[IanH]

I consider a a .54 minimum for the mutant ninja Texas fox squirrels. Your .45 might be enough for ordinary ones, but use at least 60 grains of 3F just to be sure. I mean, well.....just look at their teeth!

Beautiful rifle, by the way.

 

[nchawkeye]

When my .40 was a .45, I used 40grs FFF for squirrels, turkeys, etc and bumped it to 75 for whitetails...

 

[skwerleater]

MedicMike,
A 45 will work great on Squirrels!! I used to use a 36 but then I got a 45 Dickert rifle and I have used it for everything for about the last 10 years!! Aim for the head or upper quarters and you will have lots of success!
Squirrel hunting is my favorite!!
Good luck

 

[Rob M.]

Yep , 40 gr. 3F and aim for its head , youll either hit them in the head , bark him or miss him ...

 

[skwerleater]

40 3f is my charge too. Shoots flat and accurate. I use an empty 45 colt casing for a charger.

 

[JBird]

I've taken one squirrel and one deer this year with my 45. 30gr 3f puts me dead on at 25yards and a smidge low at 50 yards. 65 grains 3f is POA at 50+ yards.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Post some pics when you get out after them. Nice lookin rifle and gear. I've killed squirrels with a .32, .36, and .40 and honestly don't see any difference in damage to the animal. I'd imagine a relatively slow movin .45 wouldn't be any different. Wish you the best.

 

[Salty Cracker]

I've taken one squirrel and one deer this year with my 45. 30gr 3f puts me dead on at 25yards and a smidge low at 50 yards. 65 grains 3f is POA at 50+ yards.

View attachment 267204View attachment 267205

Super!!

 

[MedicMike3762]

Thanks for all the good info guys! Truth be told I have a 32 kibler that is a squirrel killing machine but I just picked this rifle up and I have to say that I’m a bit handsome on it at the moment! I was shooting it for the first time the other day and was so impressed with the accuracy I thought WTH maybe I can use this for squirrel so here I am! @Art Caputo great looking kemper is that a bench copy gun or an original? Mine is a bench copy of a Nicholas Beyer rifle. Finest rifle I own! Has something like 23 inlays and you couldn’t fit a hair around any of them the execution is perfect! @Salty Cracker ill be getting you some squirrel photos very soon! Me and my little guy picked one up last week with the .32! Had to fight my daughter for it at dinner! Below is the original rifle that was copied, my squirrel dog, and the girl who eats all my squirrel!!!!

 

[SDSmlf]

Hey guys, working on sighting in my new M Kemper rifle in .45. Did a bunch of off hand yesterday @ 25 yards and this thing is a shooter! Shoots same POI with 50gr as it does with 25gr. My question is, can a .45 be used for squirrel as a good option? Also I don’t have a chronograph so I’m not sure what the FPS is in the 25gr load I would like to be below 1000 fps for a squirrel. I love the idea of one rifle to rule them all and if I can tackle everything from Missouri whitetail to squirrels with one gun that would be fantastic! Let me know your thoughts! Do any of you shoot squirrel with a .45 RB or am I crazy??

Just out of curiosity, I would take the charge down to until accuracy goes away. Don’t have my notes in front of me, but believe I was loading 17 grains of 3F or 4F in a 45 caliber Cherokee for those pesky tree rats out to 25 or 30 yards. No complaints and chance of sending an errant ball over the horizon or next ridge was reduced. For 32 caliber guns I use 12 to 15 grains of 3F or 4F, and again no complaints.

 

[MedicMike3762]

Just out of curiosity, I would take the charge down to until accuracy goes away. Don’t have my notes in front of me, but believe I was loading 17 grains of 3F or 4F in a 45 caliber Cherokee for those pesky tree rats out to 25 or 30 yards. No complaints and chance of sending an errant ball over the horizon or next ridge was reduced. For 32 caliber guns I use 12 to 15 grains of 3F or 4F, and again no complaints.

I like that! 17gr would be great! I’ll just have to keep working it down. I also like the slower moving ball so I don’t launch one over into Phelps county!

 

[SDSmlf]

I like that! 17gr would be great! I’ll just have to keep working it down. I also like the slower moving ball so I don’t launch one over into Phelps county!

Honestly will come down to accuracy. Had a young nephew visiting and he ‘helped’ with the local tree rat problem using one of my 17 caliber target air guns (they have adjustable stocks so it fit him well) that launches 7 to 8 grain pellets at a little under 400fps. A few hung on to the tree branch for a few seconds before falling. A 45 caliber roundball at any velocity will be adequate. Not overly confident it went all that well with his mother when he informed her that he loved squirrel stew.

 

[TDM]

Yep, find your most accurate 30-40 yard load and go squirrel hunting.