Hunting Grouse with my Squirrel Rifle?

[2flints]

Hi,

I went Grouse hunting yesterday with my 36 caliber flintlock squirrel rifle and began wondering if I could use something other than my .350 lead balls to take game. Can I shoot lead shot safely, and if so, what would be involved in order to make the changeover?

Thanks,

2flints

 

[2flints]

Woops, sorry, I guess I should have done a better job of searching...found this link, on this forum. I think I found the answer I was looking for, just the caliber is different than mine.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/242046/pid/803992/

2flints

 

[David W.]

I always use 000 buckshot in my .36. Nothing special is needed. Shoot them the same way you would use swaged or cast balls, with the same patch/lube. They are a little harder, so they won't expand as much, but why do you need expansion for grouse or squirell?

 

[hoochiepapa]

All my life we (my family) hunted grouse with a .22. Not wing shooting, for sure, but fun nonetheless. We would pop them in the head. If you read Muzzle Blasts, I have an article in there about just such a hunt. Page 47. Using my .32 percussion. Have fun!