Squirrel Load Testing in .45 Flintlock

[Hermit Tim]

So I'm thinking of hitting the woods in the morning for the first time this year for a little squirrel action before the rain moves in. I decided I might take my Kentuckian Jager rifle and did a little load development this afternoon. It is a .45 flintlock round ball gun and shoots great with 70 grains of powder. So I bumped it down to 20 grains. Wasn't sure if that was even enough to fill the breech, but the testing went well. Only had one failure to fire but that was a pan primer (not enough) issue. And I was using Goex 4F in the pan and Pyrodex in the barrel. My target was one of those small propane bottles you use with Coleman stoves, lanterns, and such. It was empty with the pressure relieved so no danger of fireworks. Shot it five times and the rounds had no trouble penetrating on entry but none exited the target. Shooting at 20-25 paces or so. I am guessing that if that light load will penetrate one side of a metal container it should do for tree rats. I was able to shake one of the balls out of the can and it was only slightly flattened. I guess I can melt it down and reuse it. Little rifle barely kicked and made very little noise with that load. I posted this possibly boring thread because lately there has been much talk about Pyro in flintlocks and also several past threads about squirrel hunting with the .45. Thought I would share my experience with load and powder in case it may give someone else a starting point. Happy hunting folks.

 

[Flintlock]

I use 25-30 grains of FFG in my .45 southern flint rifle, little noise, and I've taken the heads from many grouse, squirrel and a few creek ducks. Why wast powder when not needed. I think this is the reason early hunters loved rifles, they could vary loads and save money.

 

[Hermit Tim]

I use 25-30 grains of FFG in my .45 southern flint rifle, little noise, and I've taken the heads from many grouse, squirrel and a few creek ducks. Why wast powder when not needed. I think this is the reason early hunters loved rifles, they could vary loads and save money.

Agreed. That is one reason I lean more toward the smaller calibers from .50 down. Makes my powder and lead go a bit further. Really like .40 and .45.

 

[Gtrubicon]

Great thread Hermit Tim, at all cost, save that lead! I have been wanting to down load my 45 for the same purpose as you. I only own 45 rifles. I just bought some Pyrodex p a couple days ago. I look forward to following your succes.

 

[Hermit Tim]

thanks and I hope it works out for you. Please let us know how yours works out.

 

[Cattywompuss]

I haven't had a chance to shoot my squirrel rifle yet, though I am soon looking to change careers and join my wife as a teacher, which will provide vastly more opportunity for shooting and hunting. I have a .40 that I bought for the purpose. It's a bit nose heavy with a 44 inch straight 13/16 barrel and a clubbed nose stock with no cap. Nevertheless, I think from a leaning rest it will answer quite well. Someone else who built it certainly thought so when they rudely carved "Stowers Thumper" into the bottom of the butt.

 

[Hermit Tim]

I haven't had a chance to shoot my squirrel rifle yet, though I am soon looking to change careers and join my wife as a teacher, which will provide vastly more opportunity for shooting and hunting. I have a .40 that I bought for the purpose. It's a bit nose heavy with a 44 inch straight 13/16 barrel and a clubbed nose stock with no cap. Nevertheless, I think from a leaning rest it will answer quite well. Someone else who built it certainly thought so when they rudely carved "Stowers Thumper" into the bottom of the butt.

That sounds like a pretty sweet rifle to me. And should get the job done nicely. Good luck with the career change. More time in the woods is always a good thing.

 

[SDSmlf]

I’ve found practicing on golf balls will tell you what kind of squirrel rifle you have and how good of a shot you are with it.

 

[Hermit Tim]

I’ve found practicing on golf balls will tell you what kind of squirrel rifle you have and how good of a shot you are with it.

that is a great idea. Bet those guys on the golf course won't be too happy about it though.

 

[SDSmlf]

that is a great idea. Bet those guys on the golf course won't be too happy about it though.

Never really found pasture pool that entertaining.

 

[Flintlock]

Never really found pasture pool that entertaining.

But done with a gun it could prove interesting. Hunted stripped gophers for years with various handguns and muzzleloaders.

 

[SDSmlf]

But done with a gun it could prove interesting. Hunted stripped gophers for years with various handguns and muzzleloaders.

No idea what sort target a stripped booger’s head offers. Believe a golf ball diameter is just under 1.70”. I have a bucket of golf balls that I take to the range for practice.

 

[D.Summers]

Mostly, with my aging eyes, I shoot at the middle of a squirrel! Don't mess up the meaty parts, and get good kills. I hunt with a .36 Frontier Deluxe, and a sweet .45 custom rifle. On closer shots I do go for the head! 30 grains FFFg does the trick!!

 

[Cattywompuss]

Mostly, with my aging eyes, I shoot at the middle of a squirrel! Don't mess up the meaty parts, and get good kills. I hunt with a .36 Frontier Deluxe, and a sweet .45 custom rifle. On closer shots I do go for the head! 30 grains FFFg does the trick!!

You know, I want to be a noble squirrel hunter, knocking the heads off the tree rats with skill, but I'll never forget the three bushy tail trophies I took with me everywhere after I knocked em off with a .410 loaded with 7.5 shot as a kid. Reckon that surety of a kill over a display of skill may be why my family line has carried on uninterrupted for 500... no no wait, I tell a lie... 945 years. Nevertheless, I long for the day of putting a .40 LRB right through one of ems perpetually surprised cheeks.

 

[Flintlock]

No idea what sort target a stripped booger’s head offers. Believe a golf ball diameter is just under 1.70”. I have a bucket of golf balls that I take to the range for practice.

About 3/4 the size of a golf ball. Chipmunk size.

 

[smoothshooter]

So I'm thinking of hitting the woods in the morning for the first time this year for a little squirrel action before the rain moves in. I decided I might take my Kentuckian Jager rifle and did a little load development this afternoon. It is a .45 flintlock round ball gun and shoots great with 70 grains of powder. So I bumped it down to 20 grains. Wasn't sure if that was even enough to fill the breech, but the testing went well. Only had one failure to fire but that was a pan primer (not enough) issue. And I was using Goex 4F in the pan and Pyrodex in the barrel. My target was one of those small propane bottles you use with Coleman stoves, lanterns, and such. It was empty with the pressure relieved so no danger of fireworks. Shot it five times and the rounds had no trouble penetrating on entry but none exited the target. Shooting at 20-25 paces or so. I am guessing that if that light load will penetrate one side of a metal container it should do for tree rats. I was able to shake one of the balls out of the can and it was only slightly flattened. I guess I can melt it down and reuse it. Little rifle barely kicked and made very little noise with that load. I posted this possibly boring thread because lately there has been much talk about Pyro in flintlocks and also several past threads about squirrel hunting with the .45. Thought I would share my experience with load and powder in case it may give someone else a starting point. Happy hunting folks.

I like the reduced loads in my .45 as well. Usually load 25 to 30 gr. for low powered loads.
BTW, no danger of igniting gas bottle by shooting it with lead or copper jacketed bullets. Those metals will not create a spark under any circumstances.

 

[hanshi]

I've killed squirrels with the .32, .36, .45 and .58. The big bores, over .36, do require carefully picking the right spot to hit these little guys. I like the head-neck area for larger bores but the mid body hits with tiny balls at mild velocities are just as good.

 

[Bassdog1]

I am not the greatest squirrel hunter but I manage to shoot enough each season to provide for my needs. I shoot them with a 32 and 15 grains of Goex but I may try my 45 this season with a light load. I head shoot only which means I miss quite a few. Practice with ping pong balls and tennis balls at different ranges.