squirrel and turkey rifle

[oomcurt]

Kind of curious...from what I have seen looking around...smoothbores, especially doubles are out of my price range. That said, would a .36 cal. be a good choice for both? I was thinking of a .32...but I saw a fellow at the range the other week with one...the range rod looked to be about the size of a soda straw....looked kinda weak to me. As far as a .40 goes...for squirrel...I would kinda like to eat the critter...not use whats left of him for a biology class. Any replys as always am thanking in advance.

 

[Bob J]

A .36 would be an excellent choice :imo: Sometimes you'll find used .36 T.C. Senecas at gunshows. Have seen them for around $250. Know of a custom .36 Tennessee flinter, fullstock, for $800.00. If I could afford it right now ... ::

 

[roundball]

Kind of curious...from what I have seen looking around...smoothbores, especially doubles are out of my price range. That said, would a .36 cal. be a good choice for both? I was thinking of a .32...but I saw a fellow at the range the other week with one...the range rod looked to be about the size of a soda straw....looked kinda weak to me. As far as a .40 goes...for squirrel...I would kinda like to eat the critter...not use whats left of him for a biology class. Any replys as always am thanking in advance.

Instead of buying a special rifle for squirrels, I decided to use the smallest caliber flintlock I have which is a .45cal...I throttled it back to 40grns 3F, and spent several Saturdays sitting on the ground at my range, leaning against a support post like it was a tree, and practice shooting a 1.75" hanging steel target at 25yds.

Got my first flintlock squirrel this past December...could throttle it back further to 30grns I'm sure, but I wanted enough 'umph' to kill a deer if one came along while I was carrying the "squirrel rifle", and sure enough, shot a doe and then a small buck while sitting for squirrels...both were close, less than 25yds away.

You can go after heads shots with any caliber, and you won't ruin any meat...and frankly there's so little meat on the front of a squirrel anyway, you could shoot it anywhere in the front with any caliber (like a mini-deer) and still have the hindquarters.
:m2c:

 

The 36 is a great caliber and my choice between it and the 32. However, if you don't head shoot a squirrel with a 36 there's going to be lots of meat damage. I like the front legs on a squirrel even tho they are small. The 36 is more than adequate for turkeys. I envy you guys who can legally hunt them with a rifle. Wish we could.

I have no personal experience with a 40 but fully intend to someday. What I know of it has come from others, (and getting beat by it in matches), and to a man each of them has nothing but praise for it.

Head shots are to be recommended with both calibers.

Vic

 

[CrackStock]

I have a .36, but use my .40 most often because it is more accurate and I just shoot more than anything else. While the .40 seems a bit large, you can load lightly and are likely to go for a head or mid section shot so as to avoid too much waste. I have not seen the damage that people keep claiming will happen.

As to turkey hunting with a rifle, you had best check your state game laws to see if this is permitted. In all states where I have lived spring turkey was shotgun only. The thinking is that if you are close enough t hit with a shotgun, then you are less likly to negligently shoot another hunter.

CS

 

[sidelock]

Right on roundball. I have a 1977 T/C .50 that I have harvested hundreds of grays with (and a bunch of turkeys too). My load is 40 gr 2f and round ball zeroed at 35 yd.I don't try for a head shot on squirrels---.A low mid section mark just about cleans them out and no meat lost. Turkey mark is at the butt of the wing for no meat loss.This was years ago in VA., We do have turkeys in MT but no grays. :imo: :results:

 

Not all states require a shotgun for turkey hunting and to my knowledge they're all western states. I know Wyoming allows them to be hunted with a rifle because we just moved from there. I believe Texas also allows hunting them with a rifle.

Most states don't allow it tho. Always the right thing to do to check.

Vic

 

[Darkhorse]

Georgia also allows hunting Turkeys with a Muzzleloading rifle. I am building a .40 flinter mainly for turkeys and small game. A .40 gives a little more punch and range if a bird hangs up out in a power line or field.

 

[merdean]

Here Goes.
I have .32 and .36. I use both for squirrel. I try for head shot whenever possible and it usually is. But if not, the .36 will mess up a little more meat but the difference is minimal. I think the .36 should be OK for turkey with the right load. (Butt shooting a squirrel is best done with a rock.) I think the .32 would be a little light for turkey. No special reason except I have seen what both do to squirrels. I am going to build a .40 for my next project. I have an old-10 years on the back wall of the garage-greenriver barrel that I am going to use. I hope I can clean it up enough to be useful. I think it will be heavy enough for turkey and can be loaded down for squirrel. I just have to get up the nerve to start the project. :imo:

 

[amccall]

One thing to consider is a T/C smoothbore. Here is one from gunbroker for an example. If you have a T/C renegade or hawken you could put a green mountain 62 cal. smoothbore drop in barrel in.

Gun Broker :hmm:

 

[GregC]

I have shot many fall turkeys with a .22 and .22 mag rimfire.

I would think a .32 .36 and especially a .40 coming from a muzzleloader would be more than sufficient to kill a turkey at reasonable ranges

Squirrels - might as well use a cannon. They are tough little buggers.

 

[Runner]

I have a 36 squirrel rifle. I shoot the Hornady OOO buckshot which is .350. With a patch, it is perfect and it is 9$ for five pounds. Power wise, with 30 grains of powder, it will splat the ball on a steel plate target at 40 yards. The ball ends up in the ground in little peices below the target on swingers. In fact, it is too hot for the pistol type targets and leaves bad pock marks in the face. It is more than enough for turkey.