Small caliber flintlock advice?

[Canuck Bob]

I'm new and don't hunt so I am looking into something like a southern mountain rifle in 32-40 caliber. This rifle will be a plinker and fun range gun. Still I value top notch accuracy and dependability.

I saw a 32 compared to a 22 long rifle. What would compare to a 22 hornet? Can I expect 100 yard range or is 75 more like it for hitting a small group?

My first post informed me I can ship in flintlock long guns to Canada. This opens up access to the American suppliers, very exciting. Any advice on left hand rifles and kits in one of these little rifles?

 

[Many Klatch]

The smaller the caliber the finickier the barrel. With a .32 you may have to wipe after each shot. The .32 is probably more comparable to a .22 Long Rifle in power. Remember the round ball has a poor trajectory compared to the longer bullets and has a lot less weight than you would think. One advantage of a .32 is that you can shoot buckshot and buy a whole bag for a lot less than regular molded shot.

I can't think of any roundball gun that would compare to a .22 Hornet. If you mean in flat shooting for a couple of hundred yards no round ball will equal a Hornet. If you mean in smashing up a target at 100 yards, you'd probably need a .54 rifle with a hunting load.

For strictly target shooting a .40 seems to be favored by a lot of shooters. It shoots fairly flat and has enough weight to buck some wind.

One old gunsmith once told me that there are only 3 calibers worth considering, "theres .45 and .45 and .45"

It is all a matter of personal choice. If you are going to shoot targets at 25 yard and 50 yard the .32 will work fine. If you are going to shoot at 100 yards, you might want to consider the .40 or the .45

You should be able to get any of these in left hand. I don't know much about what kind of guns are available from the manufacturers but if you are looking for a good left hand gun you may wind up having to have one custom built.

Many Klatch

 

[rabjr]

I think he'd be very happy with a .40 cal.

 

[Canuck Bob]

I've read a few threads on smaller calibers. One thing I wanted was cheaper shooting costs.

I know this sounds a little stupid but I really never appreciated the ability to load up and down the power curve so easily with a muzzleloader. I live in western Canada and wind is always blowing around here.

Also the relationship of caliber to power with PRB's is a little misleading. A 40 or 45 sounds big but I understand most would not hunt deer with them. I'm guessing that 40 or 45 might be what I want. Still a 32 or 36 would be cheap to shoot and my eyes are good for fifty yards without a peep.

 

[rafterob]

I think from everything you have said so far that a .36 would be good for you. You could still have some fun trying to hit 100 yards on occaision but primarily up to 75 yards you would have all you need.

 

[rabjr]

I have a custom .36 and I know when I get a chance to spend some range time with, I'll love it. But this most likely a 25 yard squirrel gun and a fun gun at the range. I personally wouldn't want to fool around with a smaller ball than this, these are small enough and drop to easy when your all thumbs. :haha: After reading your OP I would guess a .40 would be just right but if you do intend to deer hunt someday You may want to think about a larger caliber.

 

[paulvallandigham]

I thought your interest was in plinking and target shooting, not hunting. If you want to hunt deer, I suggest a .50 cal. rifle at minimum. A .54 cal. would be better yet, considering the chance you might meet a bear, or get an elk tag, too. for plinking and target shooting out to 50 yds, you are going to like any .36 caliber rifle you buy. They are cheap to shoot- you can buy a 7lb. bottle of .350" diameter Lead "shot " from ballistics products,at a price cheaper than you could cast the balls yourself. Powder charge are going to range from 20 to 35 grains of FFFg powder. If you want to hunt small game, that 65 grains RB will be effective out to 75 yards on game up to the size of a coyote. No recoil, not a lot of noise, and dead accurate as far as your eyes can see and hold those sights. :grin: :thumbsup:

 

[DanChamberlain]

I just love my .36! No, it's not a deer rifle, but if I lived in a place where I could shoot Turkey and Hogs, I'd be thrilled. I've found that it literally removes most of the head of squirrels with a light 15 grain charge.

It is tempermental with fouling. Yes, it has a tendency to foul up a bit more quickly than a .54, so I just run a spit patch down bore every second shot. In the field this is no problem. If you wait til 4 or 5 shots, you might push fowling down into the fire channel.

Dan

 

[Mike Brooks]

I built a .25 flint gun for a friend and he says it performs exceptionally well at 100 yards as long as it's not windy.

 

[J.D.]

I'm new and don't hunt so I am looking into something like a southern mountain rifle in 32-40 caliber. This rifle will be a plinker and fun range gun. Still I value top notch accuracy and dependability.

My first post informed me I can ship in flintlock long guns to Canada. This opens up access to the American suppliers, very exciting. Any advice on left hand rifles and kits in one of these little rifles?

There are, to my knowledge, no production guns in smaller calibers are available in left hand configuration.

However, Jim Parker can make anything you want, for little more than the cost of the better production guns. I suggest that you request a Chambers lock on any gun you might order...especially if you order a flintgun.
http://www.parkerfirearms.com/main.html

As to caliber, as mentioned, it is a personal choice. The 40 can shoot the same powder loads as a 32 or 36, or a 50, for that matter, so velocity, power, and expense of shooting are variable.

Generally speaking 40-50 gr of powder will provide very good accuracy and still be cheap to shoot. 50 gr of powder, per shot, will get you 140 shots per pound of powder, for example.

IMHO, a 45 will buck the wind a little better than a 40, but if you plan to shoot at 100 yards, in the wind, you will need plenty of correction, even in a light wind.

God bless

 

[Canuck Bob]

Thanks to all. I've realized the rifle I think I want is not easily available.

As a total greenhorn tackling flintlock out the door I'm going to go with a Lyman Deerstalker to learn what to do and what I really need. It would offer good resale here for when I'm ready to buy a semi-custom or good kit.

Here is my current wish list from above. Slim stocked southern mountain poor boy with 3/4" straight octagon barrel. Lefty L&R Manton lock, plain walnut stock oiled dark, browned steel, .36 or .40, quality single trigger and an express 3 blade rear sight.

Thanks to everyone

 

[ThreeToedWolf]

A 40 or 45 sounds big but I understand most would not hunt deer with them.

i'm still trying to find some reasoning for not using a 40 or a 45 for deer. As a kid in OK, i used a 45 for deer hunting and never had bad results. I was contemplating on building a Kentucky half-stock in 40 for all around use when I run traps.40 cal loaded right should take deer with proper shot placement. I know a 45 does.

I also have a fullstock 50 I made in 1991 and have taken elk with it in both Nevada and Idaho, but you'll have the majority tell you that a 50 is too small. Again, its all in shot placement.

FWIW


Bob

 

[ThreeToedWolf]

And a triple post. Guess I hit the button twice too many

Apologies from West Texas


Bob

 

[rabjr]

You can click "Edit" and upper left allows you to delete a post.

 

[hanshi]

I have the .32, .36 and .40. They are all economical to shoot. Power? The .32 with 30 - 35 grns 3f beats the .22 mag hands down; the .36 is great with 30 grns and feisty with 40. The .40 is a great small game/target rifle with 30 grns and suitable for deer with 60 grns.

The .22 Hornet is one of my favorites and while a prb can't really compare, the .36 is in the me class with it and I've killed several deer with the .22H. The .40 churns up (fully loaded) about the same me as a .44 mag revolver.

All three will do fine at 100 yards but the .40 is best in any kind of wind. I suppose you could consider them 50 (.32), 75 (.36) & 100 (.40) yard rifles for small game & varmints but the .40 shouldn't be used at 100 for deer; 50 - 60 yards makes more sense. I like the .45 for deer, period.

 

[nkbj]

Yall're making me think that maybe the perfect flinter collection would be (in round numbers) a 40, a 50, a 60 and a 70. Now that would be fine goal to set.

 

[hanshi]

Ah, now you're on the right track! Personally, I'd suggest a .36, .40, .45, .50 and a .62 smoothy with the .32 & .54 as optional (good) or if you want substitute (bad). Thing is don't think in terms of one gun; think in terms of a battery based on what type of shooting you plan to do. And remember, the more the merrier!

 

[Stumpkiller]

A 40 or 45 sounds big but I understand most would not hunt deer with them.

I'm still trying to find some reasoning for not using a 40 or a 45 for deer.

One reason would be local game laws. The .40 would not be a legal deer rifle in NY.

No doubt the .45 is up to the task, but a little extra margin makes me feel comfortable for when those unseen saplings and jittery deer get the shot off slightly.

Of course I would never be out of alignment myself. :v

 

[wilded]

A 40 or 45 sounds big but I understand most would not hunt deer with them.

I'm still trying to find some reasoning for not using a 40 or a 45 for deer.

One reason would be local game laws. The .40 would not be a legal deer rifle in NY.

No doubt the .45 is up to the task, but a little extra margin makes me feel comfortable for when those unseen saplings and jittery deer get the shot off slightly.

Of course I would never be out of alignment myself. :v

It is legal here and mine has dropped quite a few whitetail and hogs. :thumbsup:

 

[ThreeToedWolf]

A 40 or 45 sounds big but I understand most would not hunt deer with them.

I'm still trying to find some reasoning for not using a 40 or a 45 for deer.

One reason would be local game laws. The .40 would not be a legal deer rifle in NY.

No doubt the .45 is up to the task, but a little extra margin makes me feel comfortable for when those unseen saplings and jittery deer get the shot off slightly.

Of course I would never be out of alignment myself. :v

By all means let me re-phrase then.

Where it is LEGAL, the 40 should be up to the task
for taking deer with proper shot placement


Bob