I now have barrels in each caliber, .32, .36, 40, .45, and .50cal.
Initially, didn't like .32cal at all, my 5/16" 10-32 range rod was too big, so was my short starter. Had to buy and start carrying a 1/4" 8-32range rod and accessories, was using thinner patch/lube, and too light a charge, and getting 4" groups @ 50yds. After more exhaustive load development, I finally found the right charge/patch/lube combo, and now have it shooting just over 1-1.5 inch from the bench at 50yds, and am warming up to it. 50yds seems to be about the limit, it has difficulty reliably knocking down pig sillhoettes at that distance.
I like the .36cal better than the .32cal. I can use my normal rod and accessories, still doing load development, but it's shooting great and is reliably knocking down sillhoettes, in fact I won the local club match with it last weekend.
The .40cal GM barrel has replaced my .50cal GM barrel to become my go-to match rifle. It's a Lazer, and will stretch out to 100yds, though is a bit anemic on big heavy ram and Buffalo sillhoettes at that distance.
The .45cal is probably the best choice for all-around use, I have both percussion and flintlock barrels in this caliber, though they are shorter and have less sight radius than my longer GM barrels.
My .50cal GM has now become my dedicated 100yd gun. I leave it permanently sighted in at that distance, and simply switch to it for the 100yd stages, especially if there are sillhoettes.
Initially, didn't like .32cal at all, my 5/16" 10-32 range rod was too big, so was my short starter. Had to buy and start carrying a 1/4" 8-32range rod and accessories, was using thinner patch/lube, and too light a charge, and getting 4" groups @ 50yds. After more exhaustive load development, I finally found the right charge/patch/lube combo, and now have it shooting just over 1-1.5 inch from the bench at 50yds, and am warming up to it. 50yds seems to be about the limit, it has difficulty reliably knocking down pig sillhoettes at that distance.
I like the .36cal better than the .32cal. I can use my normal rod and accessories, still doing load development, but it's shooting great and is reliably knocking down sillhoettes, in fact I won the local club match with it last weekend.
![20240721_122932.jpg 20240721_122932.jpg](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/muzzleloadingforum/data/attach/337/337210-20240721-122932.jpg)
The .40cal GM barrel has replaced my .50cal GM barrel to become my go-to match rifle. It's a Lazer, and will stretch out to 100yds, though is a bit anemic on big heavy ram and Buffalo sillhoettes at that distance.
The .45cal is probably the best choice for all-around use, I have both percussion and flintlock barrels in this caliber, though they are shorter and have less sight radius than my longer GM barrels.
My .50cal GM has now become my dedicated 100yd gun. I leave it permanently sighted in at that distance, and simply switch to it for the 100yd stages, especially if there are sillhoettes.
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