Squirrel guns

[Rodneystiffler]

I’m thinking about getting a flintlock squirrel gun and I’d like so ideas on cal. and gun style.

 

[FishDFly]

Will follow this. Would like a light weight and medium barrel length flint lock to hunt squirrels and wondered what is out there.

 

[MIOutdoorsman]

The search function will turn up several threads on this.. I've been researching this too, and most guys are carrying 32, 36, or 40 cal for squirrels, though I think the guys carrying the 40+ are multipurpose with that caliber. Caplocks seem way more plentiful in these smaller calibers than flintlocks, but they're out there if you keep looking. WARNING: if you see something you like come up in marketplace in flintlock in these smaller calibers, best to jump on it quickly. They don't last long over there.

 

[Rodneystiffler]

Thinking 32 or 36 at the largest.

 

[Grimord]

I have both a .32 & .36 flint locks. Pedersoli makes guns in those calibers that can be had in flint lock version. Not many other production guns in flint in those calibers. You might have to go to a custom made gun. That's what I did to get the gun I was looking for. It was worth spending the extra to get a good looking and shooting gun.

 

[MIOutdoorsman]

I have both a .32 & .36 flint locks. Pedersoli makes guns in those calibers that can be had in flint lock version. Not many other production guns in flint in those calibers. You might have to go to a custom made gun. That's what I did to get the gun I was looking for. It was worth spending the extra to get a good looking and shooting gun.

I have an opportunity to pick up a descent looking used Pendersoli in .36 (or maybe it's a .32?) locally, but I'd much prefer a custom at this point. While that's what I want to have, my wallet and my wife disagree..

 

[MIOutdoorsman]

The other option for squirrel would be to consider a smoothbore too. A smoothie filled with a bunch of pellets would make for an easier squirrel kill, and if you wanted, you could get a double barrel flintlock too.

 

[dhaverstick]

I hunt squirrels with a 12 gauge smoothbore and a 32 caliber rifle and I only use the rifle in the early fall when the squirrels are cutting nuts. Why? Because they are more apt to be sitting still so I can get a bead on them. Otherwise, they are constantly in motion and that, combined with thick leaf cover, has me toting the smoothbore around more often than not.

Darren

 

[Des52]

I have a Pedersoli .36 Blue Ridge, a Frontier made for Cabelas. It is the most accurate bp gun I own, sparkes great. You won't go wrong with a Pedersoli. You should look into replacing the ramrod and I also thinned the sight a little too.

 

[user 49399]

I don’t know if you’re looking for a rifle or smooth bore, but I do all my small game hunting with this .62 caliber Fusil de Chasse.

 

[jackpine54]

I recently replaced my .32 flintlock squirrel rifle. The .32 works great for the job, but I was forever dropping those little round balls. No fault of the caliber, my fingers don't work the way they used to. The replacement rifle is .36 with a 44" Rice A weight barrel. With 25 grains of fffg and .015 patched ball (or 000 buck) it does just fine on squirrels and so far a couple snowshoe hares. As others have said, smoothbores are pretty good squirrel medicine as well. My 20 gauge fusil de chasse has bagged a pile of bushy tails.

 

[stikshooter]

I'm partial to my Kibler SMR in 45 it covers anything I want to eat and some I'd kill but pass on table fare!/Ed

 

[JamesT]

I really like .40 caliber. I have killed many many squirrels with it. I find it to be flat shooting and accurate. That being said I just got a new squirrel rifle. Its .32 caliber and I'm looking forward to getting it sighted in and out to the oak flats. We shall see.
James

 

[Rodneystiffler]

Lots of great info, thanks guys, lots to think about.

 

[1971fx]

Lower priced guns are out there cva .36 cal. Squirrel gun

 

[Loja man]

I have a .32 flinter that I have taken out after squirrels. The lock needs tuned so with that in mind and it’s my first flinter I have not bagged any yet. I plan to replace it with a Fowler. In my hunting area it will open up more shots for me.

 

[Pilgrim]

I’m thinking about getting a flintlock squirrel gun and I’d like so ideas on cal. and gun style.

I received my Kibler SMR in .32 caliber. I haven't started the build yet. I bought it with squirrel hunting in mind. I'm excited to see what the outcome will be.

 

[david w]

My favorite squirrel rifle was a Bedford County .36 caliber. I was forced to sell it years back because of financial difficulties. If I were to buy another tree rat getter, it would be a .36 or .40 Kibler. I liked the .36 primarily because I could use 000 buckshot.

 

[andy52]

Personally, I think a .32 is good and even they damage a squirrel unless a good headshot is made.

here's my .32 it's a custom gun in what I would call SMR style all iron furniture.

.

 

[Rodd Boyer]

.36 cal Tip Curtis flintlock with 20gr of Swiss fffg.