Small game rifle: 32 or 36 cal?

[Jay Gardner]

Looking for recommendation for a caliber for small game and just dinking around. I have a .40 but feel it's a little much for tree-rats and rabbits. I would like to go with a .32 but have heard they can be tough to clean, ramrods break and the foul quickly. The other option would be a .36 cal. What do you all think? (I'll probably trade or sell the .40 to help finance the smaller rifle.

Thanks,

Doublegun

 

[Trench]

I use a .36 and I have no experience with a .32 or a .40. I went with a .36 over a .32 for the heavier ball on animals larger than squirrels...like raccoons. Works great on raccoons out to 50 yards.

 

[ol vern]

You can't go wrong with either one.

once you find the right patch/ball & powder load a 32 will not fowl up any worse than your 40.

I have a 32 and a 36 & favor the 36 just because it's easer for
me to load. Hands don't work like they used to.

 

[rabjr]

Yeah I have a .36 haven't shot it but one so far but the ball is pretty much as small as I want to handle. I thought about smaller but I figure I'd just be all thumbs.

 

[cowpoke1955]

Vern and Swampy do have a very good point. Handling those .310 balls can be very difficult when your fingers get cold, as they will up where you're at. Cabela's is having a sell on the Pedersoli Blue Ridge right now. Check them out: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/...parentType=index&indexId=cat601141&hasJS=true . Good luck on your quest :thumbsup:

 

[Dave K]

I have all three. The difference is so minor, I don't even think about it. BUT, the nice part about the 36, besides the already mentioned easier to handle lead ball, is that the ram rod can fit the gun better. In a 32, the 5/16 rod is a little snug and rattles against the barrel rather easily. The same thing is true of the 40 with a 3/8 rod. But the 36 is perfect with a 5/16 rod. Of course you could kind of customize the 5/16 and 3/8 rods for a sweeter fit as well.

 

[ian45662]

I have a 32 and I like it but I dont own a 36 so I cant comment on it other than I would think a 36 can do what a 32 can and a little more. As far as ball size I load mine into a loading block so that is not an issue when hunting but when at the range it may be a small issue if the temps are down but its not something that would make or break my decision on the 32.

 

[Flint311]

I have a .36, which I picked based only on what I could find as far as lead balls at local stores. It can tear up rabbits and squirrels, if not hit in the head. It will knock a 'coon dead as a door nail quickly. Either would be a good decision, if you can take care of the rr issues expressed above. JMHO

 

[Jay Gardner]

It is my understanding that your standard 00 buckshot is a .32 cal ball. I can imagine funbling with them in the cold would be no fun though.

 

[Le Grand]

A .36 can do anything that .32 might do

 

[mazo kid]

A .36 can do anything that .32 might do

I don't have a 36 or a 40, so can't comment on that. I will say that I have old arthritic hands and fingers too, and I haven't had any trouble loading my 32. If hunting, then the bullet/ball block does make it easier to load. It works great for squirrels and rabbits and if I need to go after anything larger, then a 45 will do the job.

 

[Tom Compton]

Keep the .40!

Anything but a head shot on tree rats with any of the 3 ruins meat.

TC

 

[dodgecity]

That would be my sentiment too. I gave my .32 to my son and kept just my .40 as a pretty much all around rifle. Everything from squirrel to varmint and turkey depending on the charge. For deer and bear, I switch to the .62.

 

[Chilidog]

I have a 32 flint and love it for small game and plinking. Very economical to shoot loading 20 grains which is more than enough for squirrels and rabbits and 30 grains if I need to reach out there for prairie dogs/varmits.

Having said that, I sure would like a 40. Seems like we're never satisfied huh? :idunno:

 

[410-er]

I have both the 32 and a 36.The 32 is PERFECT on tree rats and no fouling problems.The 36 will work but is better suited for turkey and simmilar size game.

 

[Jay Gardner]

Seems like we're never satisfied huh? :idunno:

Funny how that works, isn't it. I'll keep my eyes on the TOW website for a sweet little .32 flinter,used. There is a "Vincent" Ohio, half-stock that I saw but fortunately after it was sold. Oh, well the hunts half the fun. Right?

 

[ozark57]

You can shoot 000 buckshot in a .36. cheap shooting. 38 grains of fffg will do good to 100 yards.Love mine! :thumbsup:

 

[PGTMG]

my two cents. keep the .40 :v

 

[hanshi]

I favor my .36 flinter over my .32 percussion but like them both. My .36 is a much better rifle so that may be the real reason. Besides, those little .311 balls are easy to fumble; the .350 balls less so. I agree you should keep the .40 as it is better than either the .32 or .36. Now if you just want another rifle that's a whoooole nuther thing. Can't have too many.

 

[vern faulkner]

I have both .32(blue ridge from Cabela's) and a .36(late Lancaster from TVM). I can not complain about either being too difficult to clean. Cleaning is just a part of the overall B/P shooting experience(I spend a lot more time cleaning my 22.250 or .22 Hornet). Either the .32 or the .36 is a great size for small game, they're all I use for tree-rats and rabbits and I've shot hundreds. Just work up a load that each gun likes and go out and enjoy them. I've never regretted buying either one of them and would never part with either one. As far as your .40 cal, I'd keep it if you can. Later on down the line(if it's a good shooter) you will probably regret selling it. Just my :2 worth. Vern