"Grocery shoppin" with my .36

[Bluegrass]

I'm kind of under the impression that a 36 rifle is overkill for squirrel. If it's not, could yall tell me what's the best powder charge if I don't want to tear em all to shreads?

thanks!

 

[Rebel]

Headshots. :grin:

 

[Runner]

I use 25 grains of powder most often. A pre-lubed patch from Basspro and a 000 buckshot pellet from Hornady. The patches are good for three shots each and the balls come five pounds for 10$. My gun will shoot just about anything you load it with pretty well with one exception. It is sensitive about patch material and thickness. You need a good supply of what you are sighting in with. Head shots and ribcage shots. Ribcage shots can be hard to skin out if the squirrel pulls in half. One nice thing. If you hit them, you don't have to search for them. They will be right where you hit them!

 

[CrackStock]

Nothing wrong with a .36 on squirrels. I load with 22 grains of 3f Goex and the same Hornady ball mentioned above. I even use a .40 on squirrel.

CS

 

[JackAubrey]

Yep,headshots.25 gr.Goex 3f.Home cast .350 ball,wlamart pillowticking.What's this about Hornady ooo buck shot.What diameter is that?Best regards,J.A.

 

[Runner]

OOO Buckshot is .350 from Hornady. Five pounds was 9.99 last time I bought one. Shoots good out of most guns.

 

I use a 36 for squirrels and have since the late 70's. My load is 20 grs. of Fffg and a home cast .350 ball. I try for head shots only so some days I do pretty good and other days I don't. I really don't like body shots on small game with a 36 or a 32. It isn't that they aren't effective, I don't like the mess they make of things. I like a nice, clean, complete carcass.

Vic

 

[JackAubrey]

Thanks Runner for the info.Sounds like a good bargain.Best regards,J.A.

 

[Raynor]

I've used a 32, 36, and 45 caliber on squirrels. All do about the same damage with body shots.

All I use now is a smoothbore with #4 shot for small game. :grin: