.62 smoothie loads for squirrels

[Steve Lasley]

Just got my .62 TVM fowler. just looking for advice on a good squirrel load.
Ive always shot cap and ball this my first flinter wished i would have bought one sooner..

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I have heard of 60 grains FFG and 1 ounce of shot to be a good starting load.

 

[AZbpBurner]

75-85 gr 2F and a .600" RB between 2 wads - bark the squirrel and let gravity do the rest.

 

[No Deer]

I use 75 gr. 3f, over powder card, 1/2 cushion wad, 1 1/4 oz. #5 shot, over shot card. Seems to do a good job on the big fox squirrels around here. Fox squirrels are tough to kill, so that is why I use #5 shot. If you are hunting smaller squirrels #6 shot will probably work just as well.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I am a lighter charge advocate. And, I believe #7 1/2 shot to be almost an all-around useful size. So, 1 1/4oz of # 7 1/2 with a 50 gr. charge of either 2Fg or 3Fg in real bp.

 

[Skychief]

Steve, first ...welcome to the forum :thumbsup:

Our Hoosier squirrels can be some pretty gritty customers, so I would recommend patterning your gun to find the densest patterns possible.

Whatever that load is comprised of, is what I would recommend.

You might try putting an "over powder card", over your shot. It's counterintuitive, but, tightens my patterns in my smoothbores.

Many have found that a full cushion wad over the powder makes holes in the center of patterns. If your gun is like this, just use a hard (nitro) card with no cushion or a partial cushion wad.

Good luck and leave some squakkers for seed. :haha:

Best regards, Skychief.

 

[hanshi]

Even the grays are tough so I prefer size #4 to #6. I feel that 60 grains of 3F or 70 grains of 2F is plenty. Of course those charges can be played with.

 

[wattlebuster]

:rotf:

 

[Spikebuck]

My Virginia smooth rifle in .62 likes 50 grs of 2F, two lubed 1/8" wool felt wads (I use oxyoke), 1 1/4 oz of #6 chilled lead shot, 2 thin overshot cards. I have killed big Fox squirrels out 20 to 25 yards with that load.

Every gun is different, so play around, get a good pattern, and have fun.

Here's a couple of "primer photos" just to whet your appetite! :grin:

011815 Squirrel Hunt at 911 Point 1 by Mike

011815 Squirrel Hunt at 911 Point 11 by Mike

 

[Steve Lasley]

Thanks for the welcome and the help. Those pictures really did wet my appetite.. cant wait for squirrel season!

 

[Wes/Tex]

Read Spence's thoughts on all forms of muzzleloading hunting. My years of banging my head against tree trunks have come up virtually indentical results. I personl take is that everyyone stararting out flinting should have his sage advice! :wink:
http://home.insightbb.com/~bspen/