squirrel hunt

Finally bloodied my new squirrel rifle last weekend. I got it just after the season last year and have barely had time to sight it in. The morning was overcast grey and drizzly and in the dark bottoms I couldn't see my silver front sight well at all (some of that is my 60 yr old eyes with allergy problems!). Squirrels were thick, though. The first one through I got offhand at about 50yds--totally lucky shot as I couldn't make out my sights too well. The .32 ball went in behind his left ear. Then of course I missed a couple of equally long or longer shots offhand--it seemed that I could not get a rest and still have the little beasts in my sights. They were moving quickly through the high treetops. But, I had fun and equalled the take of one fellow I met in the woods who was using a 12 gauge auto.....the rifle was made by a friend of mine and is a scaled down Tennessee style with a Longhammock 7/8" .32 barrel, a small Siler lock and pretty maple....easy to tote in the woods.

 

[musketman]

Squirrels with a .32, now that's fun...

I shot a mess with the T/C .32 Cherokee before I sold it... (big mistake)

 

yep, those little Cherokees were nice rifles...I didn't buy one back when, but if one shows up in a gunshow for the right price....nah, I got too many now. But I used to drool over my buddies' Cherokee.

 

[musketman]

I wish T/C would have offered the Cherokee and Seneca in a flint version, that would be a sweet shootin' firearm...

 

[RussB]

Mike..."The morning was overcast grey and drizzly and in the dark bottoms I couldn't see my silver front sight well at all (some of that is my 60 yr old eyes with allergy problems!). Squirrels were thick, though. The first one through I got offhand at about 50yds--"

I can picture the hunt in my mind! Brings back some very fond memories. That rifle sounds really sweet. I'm waiting to confirm a trip to Jackson, Mississippi, if that comes about I will get some squirrel hunting in.
I sure enough do envy you boys who live in squirrel country. :cry:
Russ

 

[roundball]

Wish they made a flintlock Patriot pistol too

 

[mississippi]

I have two 50 cal 1 hawken and a cva bobcat what would be the less load that i can use in the bobcat and ball size ( ha RussB i live 250 miles northeast of jackson if you come to Mississippi to squirrel hunt have fun)

 

[tx50cal]

Hey MSH I asked this same question a few weeks ago. From what I got from everyone you could go from 30-70 gr.I haven't been to the range yet to try out any loads but I will start around 30 and see what I get. I have my rifle shooting about 1/2" high at 50 yrds with 75 gr. I want to find the lightest load that will put me on at 25yrds. That way I won't have to resight from deer to squirells. I realy think 30-40 gr.would be enough power to pop squirells. I don't think you need 100gr for squirells, unless you got the prehistoric saber tooth squirells. I use a .490 ball with .015 patch. Hope this helps you out,let me know what you find out I always like to hear how others do. I'm sure you will get other replys, expect one from roundball(he seems to rel good with this stuff). :results:

 

[mississippi]

ok let's say that i lower the ball size form 490 to about 440 and up the patch form 015 to about 020 is's this ok?? or a dumb one??? in a 50 cal. on a 50 gr. powder

 

[Rebel]

If you can get the undersized ball to shoot accurately enough for squirrels i don't see any problem with that approach.

 

[RussB]

I have two 50 cal 1 hawken and a cva bobcat what would be the less load that i can use in the bobcat and ball size ( ha RussB i live 250 miles northeast of jackson if you come to Mississippi to squirrel hunt have fun)

MSH...Don't you go gettin in my squirrel patch! Ya hear! Ya don't want me to be commin down there now do ya! :crackup:

Or, even better;...."ya gonna be right regretful, if I have to come o'er ther"! :crackup: :crackup:
You would have loved my Grandpa!


Just kidding, of course.....I think that .50 would be fine for squirrels, although I have to admit to not using one for that purpose. I have used a .45 on at least two occasions when squirrel hunting in Alabama....that I remember quite clearly, but for the life of me I can't remember what load I was shooting.
Russ

 

[tx50cal]

Hey I went out today and figuered out a squirel load for my 50 hawken. I was shooting 11/2"high at 50 yds with 75 gr. FFg.I lowered the charge to 30 gr.FFg and I hit dead on at 25yds. I think it will be great for squirels.This was my load for a patched .490vround ball with :redthumb:.015 patch.