Small caliber rifles.

[house]

Where would be the best place to look for a smaller caliber rifle? I would like a .32 or .36 caliber. My son would like one for squirrel hunting, and I think it would be pretty cool as well. I have looked on the classifieds here a little and few other websites, but these smaller calibers are a little harder to find one I could afford.

 

[gunner69skmc]

Try Gunbroker or GunsAmerica. Also look at the Track of the Wolf website and Dixie too.

 

[house]

Thanks! I've tried the first two, but not the others.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Do consider the small calibers can bring big problems. Like where do you get a quality ram rod small enough for those? Cheapos, dowels, etc. are very dangerous because they break easily.
Small calibers seem to gunk up very quickly. I'll note: there are naysayers to this belief.

 

[Claude Mathis]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/38...rdwood-stock-1-in-48-twist-33-1-2-barrel-blue
http://www.cherrys.com/ped_rif1.htm
http://www.possibleshop.com/rifle-pennsylvinia.html

 

[Vaino]

My squirrel rifle is a .45 and seeing a squirrel should only be shot in the head and seeing the previous rifle used for squirrels was a .50 and did the "job", why go for hard to get smaller calibers? A lot of accessories, many more .45s on the market, the info for the .45 is plentiful and a decent sized RR is thrown in. Seems the .45 is the "perfect squirrel rifle" and can also be used for deer...Hard to beat.....Fred

 

[George T.]

I to was going to suggest the 45 caliber as it is so much easier to find supplies for and the ramrods tend to be pretty stout.

I have used 36's and they were just a little more trouble but not all that bad. A friend has a 32 and boy is a pain. It is a rare day at the range without a problem. I would not suggest going smaller than the 36.

Geo. T.

 

[nkbj]

.36 is nice but if I get another one it most definitely will not have a 48" twist. Yesterday I shot cloverleaf groups at forty paces (plus a little) with round ball and spit patches in the .40 bore Sheba rifle that has a 16" twist. I'm encouraged that a faster twist than what I had before in a .36 would be good for ball as far as ball would be good. And, could also have fun with all those .38 caliber molds that are running loose in the world.

 

[Wes/Tex]

I'm encouraged that a faster twist than what I had before in a .36 would be good for ball as far as ball would be good.

Faster twist is why TC's Cherokee & Seneca rifles were so good. Their 1-30" twist stabilized PRBs at moderate velocity, as low as 10 grains FFFg for the .32 and 15 grains for the .36. Those light loads generated approx. the speed of .22 LR full velocity rounds and that's 700 shots out of a pound of powder in the little .32. You've discovered that old double standard about fast twists not stabilizing PRB...they do alright at moderate velocity, especially in smaller bores. Good luck.

 

[BrianL]

Do consider the small calibers can bring big problems. Like where do you get a quality ram rod small enough for those? Cheapos, dowels, etc. are very dangerous because they break easily.
Small calibers seem to gunk up very quickly. I'll note: there are naysayers to this belief.

I try to avoid being a 'naysayer' but in this case I have to step up and say that this is wholly dependent upon the barrel.
I have a TC Hawken mounted 32 cal GM barrel that defies fouling and I very recently put 120 balls through it using a balistol moose milk not wiping and did not even cloud the wash water at the end of the day. I have had the same experience with straight olive oil. I may have the exception but am darned glad that I do. :thumbsup:

 

[Nemovir]

I got my brass range rod for my .32 cal Pedersoli
scout from http://www.octobercountry.com/

 

[dbutch]

+1 on October country rods :thumbsup:

 

[Carl Fowler III]

Here in PA we can't use anything larger than .40 cal for small game...so check your regs if your think'n of the .45! I'm still bouncing between the .36 & .40 for my squirrel gun! :v

 

[tx50cal]

Love my .32 but I think a .40 may be calling my name.

 

[Squeeze]

I have a few .32 cal they are great, just a bit shorter range than a larger cal. when properly used there is no problem shooting. I regularly put 30-80 shots through one in a day at the range. here you cant use anything over .36 cal for rabbits/squirrel. so the whole .40+ squirrel is out. I know where theres a few .32 for sale right now, on other interweb sites, PM me if your interested.

 

I learned with a .36. Suggest headshots and learn how to bark a squirrel. By barking, I mean shooting into the tree, just under the squirrel that has gone flat against the tree. Doing this kicks the bark of the tree into the chest of the squirrel, dispatching it by means of concussion.

Make sure to give it a good whack in the head after it hits the ground. When they wake up, if not dead, they are not happy campers, as my first step father found out one day. Nothing like a deranged squirrel waking up in your hunting coat. Quick way to learn how to dance! :rotf:

 

[Wes/Tex]

Nothing like a deranged squirrel waking up in your hunting coat. Quick way to learn how to dance! :rotf:

Amen brother! Once is twice too much for learning the two-step!! Even had a dove do the same...the other guys were severely entertained!! :wink:

 

[Col. Batguano]

Anyone here shoot a .25? That's about the smallest caliber I've heard of that's at all out there and somewhat common.

 

[FishDFly]

Charlie Maggard had a nice article in the May 2013 NMLRA Muzzle Blasts on .250 M/L, it's an interesting read.

I don't have the talent to build one and don't know who would take on the project.

It would be a fun gun, I am going to talk with him in March.

 

[M. De Land]

I would like to mess with a small caliber muzzle loader as well and would also like to try a gain twist.
Just going to have to learn to make my own barrels I guess. Always wanted to anyway.
Tired of not being able to to get what I want when I want it!
Picked this little honey up the other day!

Mike D.