Next rifle--.32,36,40???

[hanshi]

A .36 3/4" straight barrel will weigh less than any swamped barrel for a .40. Something to consider is that when firing upward at a squirrel, a .40 will go farther and land with more energy than a .36 ball; causing an increase in danger. I know we try our best to backstop tree dwelling critters but sometimes you do miss or make a mistake. Best thing is to go with the rifle you like most rather than worry too much about another .040" less or more ball.

 

[AWsaddles]

My original small game load was 25 gr of 3 f but after a trip to the range last week with a chrono and a friend and fellow member here, I dropped down to 15 gr of powder. If you notice only one of those shots were head shots and the other were body shots with one shot through the shoulders and there was very little meat damage. 15 gr of 3f chronoed at 885 fps where 25 gr was 1255 fps. The point of impact did change a little but nothing that a little practice would not fix. My longest shot was on a grounded squirrel at 30 yards and was not a problem to hit. I might also add my velocity maxed out at 1938 fps using 70 gr of 3f but my barrel is 38 inches long. A friend of mine says he can achieve over 2000 fps out of his 40 but his barrel is 42 inch and he shoots Swiss where I shoot goex but I have not witnessed it first hand.

 

[750k2]

Better check your weights again.
3/4" 36 42" @ 5.19lbs
42" A wgt 40 @ 4.6lbs
44" A wgt 40 @ 4.64lbs
38" A wgt 40 @ 4.0lbs
Swamped is the only way to go - once you hold one you will sold.
:thumbsup:

 

[Walks with fire]

Thanks for the reply.

 

My vote is for the .32. For small game, the 36 has nothing on the 32. The 36 would do a bit better and smaller big game like hog or whatever but it could be done with the .32 as well. You might be tempted to go for a middle of the road gun in .40 but i think it would be too destructive on edibles on small game and not enough pasta for deer. If I was in that situation of caliber debating, I would make a rifle with interchangable barrels.

 

[hanshi]

I've done some chronographing with my .40 x 38" swamped barrel. 60 grains 3F gives 1923fps in my rifle with 40 grains allowing just over 1700fps. The .36 x 3/4" x 38" flinter SMR gives some 1500fps with 30 grains of 3F and over 1600 fps with 35 grains. I've never chronographed it using 20 grains which is something I intend doing asap. The 20 grain charge can really shoot.

 

[AWsaddles]

I usually use goex but last week when I chronoed I was using Kik which was the first time for me to try that. I think I'm going try my old load next week and see if I find a difference in velocity from brand to brand.

I would try the 15 gr load as well as I think you will be surprised just how pleasant it shoots and how it performs on small game.

I also think I'll pull out the old 36 just for old time sake. I know she needs some love and im sure is feeling left out. My 36 has a 42 inch 13/16 barrel and I've always used 20 gr in it and it's a tack driver but I dont know what it's velocity is.

 

[Travis Gregory]

If you find your .36 being neglected I would be happy to take it for a spin in the woods. Maybe I could contribute to your next batch of squirrel and dumplings. That last batch you made sure was tasty.

 

[hanshi]

I really like the .36 (and .32) and find them totally fun to shoot. You can get 350 shots from a pound of powder with 20 grain charges and 466 shots with the 15 grain charge. A pound of lead will give 152 of those tiny lead balls. And either caliber can't be beat for a dedicated small game rifle. :thumbsup:

 

[Greebe]

Yeah that is why I am thinking the .36 would be a sweet little rifle.

 

[sumoj275]

I still can't make my mind up. Kinda glad I am broke at the moment and holidays are coming up. :idunno:

 

[Dphar]

I would go with a 32 and shoot buckshot out of it.
So far as shooting coyotes? The coyote will not know the difference between a 32 and a 36. 40 will have more but then the balls are heavier and powder and lead is not going to get cheaper.
When I had one of each I could not really tell the difference on small game and never shot anything larger except a fox and he was at 140+ yards and I broke both front legs below the chest from misjudging the hold over. He was too mangy to sell. Only looked red at a distance.

Dan

 

[Don Steele]

I keep reading through the 3 pages(so far) of great responses to the original question. It really helps me gather my own thoughts on the next rifle I want to own. I have 2 50's. Love'em both. That said, back when I FIRST got into shooting muzzleloaders in the late 1970's if I knew then what I know now..I'd have a .54 for hunting and most likely a .40 for punching paper. I went with 50's all these years.
So, here I am, wanting to spec. a new small caliber rifle for punching paper ONLY.
I read all the great reviews and experiences with the .40, but I'm not sure there's enough difference from my 50's to justify a new rifle. This is especially true when I read of folks loading 60-70 gns of 3f in their 40's. Heck, that's what I'm shooting in my 50.
As someone here pointed out, the real differences most people notice when comparing small caliber rifles are more to do with design than caliber. This new rifle will be a flintlock. I want a long barrel, purely for esthetics. I'm thinking 40"-42". I'm still trying to read as much as I can regarding the question of barrel diameter vs. length vs. straight vs. swamped. That's my biggest hanging point right now. It will be either a .36 or a .40 when all is said and done. I don't hunt much anymore so all the "hunting advantages" of one caliber over another are lost in this decision. IF I get a chance to hunt deer or hogs, I'll be taking one of my .50's. Back to design then: I'm a simple Southern guy. "Golden Age" Dickert-type rifles are a bit "Showy" for me. One of the Southern Mountain style rifles is just fine.
There it is....just writing all this down for the first time in this forum helps sort the variety of choices. Thanks for listening to my rambling.
Comments welcome.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Suppose I should actually give my own example here. I was fortunate to find a Hacker Martin rifle back in the 80's that was .38" caliber. Used .375" balls from my '51 Navy pile, .010" ticking patching and 40 grains of FFFg to do in bunnies, 'possoms, a couple feral dogs and two south Texas whitetail. The deer were both taken in the Brazos River bottom of Brazoria County...brush so thick you could spit a seed as far as you cold shoot. Great sport that. I was very lucky both times and count myself fortunate to have taken both cleanly. Would still be doing it had not some low-life decided he ought to have my baby! One of three of my old favorites I still haunt gun shows looking for! :cursing:

 

[Joel/Calgary]

I'm still trying to read as much as I can regarding the question of barrel diameter vs. length vs. straight vs. swamped.

Don't forget that tapered is another option in rifle barrel profile that can have a bearing on weight and balance.

Regards,
Joel

 

[Don Steele]

Thank You Joel....!!
I needed another variable to have to consider in trying to spec. the features I want on my next rifle..!! :grin:
All suggestions/comments very welcome.