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MINIMUM LOAD
- Thread starter SHAGBARK
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The minimum load depends on where the flash channel comes into the main charge. If the rifle has a drum and nipple, then the powder charge has to be enough to be over the entry from the drum. This could be 10 grains or it could be 20 grains. If the ball blocks the flash channel, then you have a dry ball situation. If you have a chambered breech, the minimum charge could be the one that fills the chamber. I know that 3 or 4 grains of powder will clear a dry ball and that is essentially the charge that fills the flash channel between the nipple seat and the barrel.
Everyone should know cartridge arms and airguns are prohibited from discussion
Get an air rifle.
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Everyone should know cartridge arms and airguns are prohibited from discussion.
22 CB or slingshot
I used to hunt squirrels with a .50 TC, I put about 10gr of powder in it and a patched round ball. When the gun went off it was more of a bloop than a bang. This load was incredibly accurate out to about 25 yards, when I hit a squirrel head the ball just took a crescent shaped slice out and didn't cause any tissue damage.
use a Battenkill
Everyone should know cartridge arms and airguns are prohibited from discussion
Some of the new air rifles are super accurate and as powerful as a .22. Watch the Big Five ads.
longcruise
70 Cal.
Work slowly and carefully up to slingshot velocity!
YEP Slingshot. A LOT of jurisdictions even in pro-firearms locations frown on shooting live ammo, no matter what the load, be it the lightest from something rimfire or 10 grains of 3Fg.
LD
Banjoman
Eager to learn and willing to teach.
Everyone should know cartridge arms and airguns are prohibited from discussion.
I don’t wish to break forum rules, but I have killed a bunch of squirrels, rabbits, crows and even a few groundhogs with a Daisy Powerline 880, .177 pellet gun. You pump it yourself.
But back on topic, my Jukar percussion rifle shoots cloverleaf patterns at 25 yards with about 22 grains of 2f and a patched .440 round ball.
But back on topic, my Jukar percussion rifle shoots cloverleaf patterns at 25 yards with about 22 grains of 2f and a patched .440 round ball.
10 grains and a baseball mit. Run in the direction of your shot, as soon as you pull the trigger, to catch any misses on the fly. Saves a ton of lead and keeps you in shape for D League. Practice bunts, with your stock, on the wounded squirrels. SW
TDM
Cannon
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Everyone should know cartridge arms and airguns are prohibited from discussion
Sling shot or break action pellet gun.
Being that everyone are breaking the rules guess I can too: Daisy Powerline 880 with a little scope is the best air rifle around, killed many critters with it
Sooty Scot
40 Cal
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Some time ago a post showed a small, low caliber, screw-barrel rifle, presumably for gathering bird’s for study or collections, w/out scattering the flock.
It was suggested that Audubon used one similar.
As I recall, it was about .25-.30 and the powder pocket only held 5-10 grains of BP.
Obviously a rare bird itself but the BP equivalent of a strong air rifle and ideal for what you describe.
If you worried about noise, I recommend a Weihrauch HW 30.
If you need steel toe boots to shoot in you have found your minimum velocity. 
Everyone should know cartridge arms and airguns are prohibited from discussion
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/air-venturi-rovair-4500-portable-compressor?a=12619&gad_source=1
Fire and smoke is all good fun, but if commercial-level pest control is on the menu you can't beat the air rifle.
Unless you just need an excuse to make fire and smoke more often.
This had me curious, so I set up the chronograph. I used a 9.5" barrel .45 percussion handgun. Starting at 5-grains of 3F Goex, the velocity was all over the place. 400 FPS - 700 FPS. Went to 10-grains and the velocity got a little better as far as consistency. I went to 15-grains and I could get 630 FPS with good accuracy. Then I went backwards and dropped down, but by volume I could not do it in 1-grain increments. The measurer has 5 grain marks, so I split one and tried 12.5 grains. The velocity was nearly the same as 15-grains (in the 600 fps range) and I can hit a one-inch circle at 25-feet consistently with a slight Kentucky windage hold. The projectile was a Hornady .440 ball with a .015 oil lubed patch. Then for reference I loaded my usual 30-grains. The velocity is 954 FPS.
