Squirrel rifle options

[Pacobillie]

I would like to get myslf a squirrel/hare rifle. My options are as follows:
1- New .32 caliber Green Mountain barrel to fit my TC Hawken stock.

2-.36 caliber used TC Seneca

Option 2 is more expensive, but it is a complete gun and would likely be lighter and more fun to carry around in the woods than the Hawken with GM barrel.

Am I missing anything? How is .36 as a squirrel caliber? Can I take body shots or am I restricted to headshots, like I would be with a .45?


BTW, I already have a .45, two .50s and a .54 sidelocks.

 

[outdoorman]

I don't know how much this will help you, but I have a CVA Squirrel rifle in 36 caliber. My experience with it is to shoot them in the head. It doesn't tear them up like a .45 would, but it is still considerable damage.

I also have a .32 Blue Ridge rifle from Cabelas. I love this gun and have from the first shots I fired from it. A body shot is not as abusive as the .36 is.

The .36 would be lighter to carry around, but if you are like me, money is pretty tight.

Good luck.

Outdoorman

 

[buford87]

In my opinion the .32barrel for the T/C would be quite heavy. I can't comment on the .36 for game as I have never used one...................watch yer top knot.................

 

[Prairieofthedog]

Pacobillie,If I were you I would rule out option#1.Those 5\16" .32's are not fun lugging around in the woods.I still think you want to head shoot squirrels with a.32 or .36.Look around for a CVA .32 or .36 or Traditions Crockett.The used CVA's are good squirrel guns and fun to shoot.I think you would be happier with a TC Cherokee or Seneca.Get your pocket book ready tho.But those 2 guns are going to keep appreciating.I have a TC Seneca .36 I just bought.I paid a pretty price but I love the gun.Good luck looking and remember condition is everything.

 

[Trench]

You can take body shots with the .36 on Fox Squirrels. The worst that typically happens is that the ball guts the squirrel for you. If you hit a leg, it will mess it up pretty good.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Option #2. As everyone else said, those .32 caliber replacement barrels for the Hawken are too heavy to lug around the bushytail woods.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[mooman76]

I'd go with option 2 also. 32's don't carry as far and besides, I've been wanting a 36 for awhile. Don't know why, just do but they runs some money and I can't justify it with my budget.

 

[izzyjoe]

i'd love to have a crockett, but i can't see paying that much to kill a few tree rat's!

 

[Pacobillie]

I think you would be happier with a TC Cherokee or Seneca.Get your pocket book ready tho.But those 2 guns are going to keep appreciating.I have a TC Seneca .36 I just bought.I paid a pretty price but I love the gun.

What is the current market value of a .36 caliber TC Seneca in very good condition.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Price will vary by location. They are or are becoming very collectable.

Since they don't make 'em any more and never will again, if you find one that is within your means, then buy it and don't worry about anybody else's idea of value. They are only going to go up.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Prairieofthedog]

Pacobillie,Like jdkerstetter said it varies but they are getting pricey everywhere.Most Senecas will be $400+ and a lot are pushing 500+.The .36's seem to be in bigger demand and can bring more than the .32's.But any mint Cherokee or Seneca will bring high money regardless of caliber.The way I look at it the Senecas were almost $300 new the last few years of their manufacture.If you can get a decent one for $400 that is not bad.If you don't want to pay that used CVA .32 or .36 will bring $150-250 depending on condition.Those small caliber factory guns are getting scarcer.

 

[Rat Trapper]

I have found that with 20 grains of 3F my 32 TC cherokee is like shooting squirrels with a 22 long rifle. with my TC 36 cal Seneca which likes 40 grains of 3F, it is pretty hard on the squirrels. The 36 is easier to load due the the larger bore to fit things into. The Seneca is a nicer gun than the Cherokee. There was a 32 on here few days ago but I see it is now sold.

 

[redneck]

old timers used any caliber. thay did not hit the tree ray they barked it, it near so as to stun the rat. the fall usually killed it. now thats shootin

 

[Pacobillie]

Pacobillie,Like jdkerstetter said it varies but they are getting pricey everywhere.Most Senecas will be $400+ and a lot are pushing 500+.The .36's seem to be in bigger demand and can bring more than the .32's.But any mint Cherokee or Seneca will bring high money regardless of caliber.The way I look at it the Senecas were almost $300 new the last few years of their manufacture.If you can get a decent one for $400 that is not bad.If you don't want to pay that used CVA .32 or .36 will bring $150-250 depending on condition.Those small caliber factory guns are getting scarcer.

The asking price for the Seneca is $550, and it includes several extras. Some are useful; some are not. Here is how the ad reads:

"I have a really nice 36 cal Thompson/Center Senaca blackpowder rifle for sale.It is in very good condition,a few marks on the bluing,stock excellent,shoots very well.Comes with 3 powder spouts(1pyrodex,2 BP),a TC powder measure,a 36 cal brass range rod,a 36 cal bullet starter,a tube of TC Bore Butter bullet lube,a bottle of TC #13 bore cleaner,300+ patches,300+ Hornady 36 cal round balls,20 36 cal Maxi-balls,a ball puller,a cleaning jag and 2 front sights(standard,one with high-viz red ).Breech plug done with antisieze,bore shiney and sharp.Send e-mail for pics.550.00 for all, buyer pays shipping."

Seems a bit high, but not outrageous?

 

[VEARL]

That's how I shoot them. Bark them off of the tree. Let the fall kill 'em. Also you get makings from the splintered wood for your fire making possibles. :hmm:

 

[Dave K]

I "aim" to be a better shot than barking squirrel. I hate it when I wound anything. YMMV, but I have seen squirrels actually fall from very great heights because they missed a branch. Never saw one die from the fall yet, but I could happen, I am sure. Aim for the eye, aim small,miss small. If I ever bragged that I barked a squirrel, it is because I am hiding the fact I missed. :surrender:

 

[Prairieofthedog]

Pacobillie,No that price does not seem outrageous,and you might be able to do a little better on the asking price.Start with a offer of $400 if you want.Most guys give themselves a little negotiation room.It comes down to if it is worth it to you.It's tough dealing on a gun that you can't hold and look at,some peoples descriptions are not real accurate.I usually don't buy a gun online unless they allow a return.It will cost you shipping back but you won't be out huge bucks if it is not up to your standards.There is always a better deal out there,but do you want to spend 2 years and $200 bucks in gas running around looking LOL!Good luck in your hunt.P.S.Don't know what he is talking about with anti-seize on the breech?I sure hope he was not actually messing with the breech plug!

 

[hanshi]

I use both a .32 and a .36 on squirrels. The .36 isn't that bad with a light load. Even a .22LR is best used for head shots. Either will fill the bill nicely.

 

[BrianL]

Breech plug done with antisieze,bore shiney and sharp.

Why was the breechplug removed? They are a bear to get out so it is not a normal thing.

You suppose that he meant nipple?

 

[Pacobillie]

Breech plug done with antisieze,bore shiney and sharp.

Why was the breechplug removed? They are a bear to get out so it is not a normal thing.

You suppose that he meant nipple?

He did not mean nipple. I asked him the question and here is what he replied:

"Hi Guy,the first thing you do when you get a muzzelloader is to remove the plug and coat it with anti-sieze lubricant or tape so if you need to remove it ,you can.With blackpowder or pyrodex and thier corrosive properties,if you don't coat it and at a later point need to remove it ,you won't be able to and will ruin the plug getting it out and then need to get a replacement which is why companies like Track of The Wolf sell them.It is just a threaded plug that spins out easily if coated."

It sounds to me like he is applying inline muzzleloader practices to sidelocks. I have heard of gun builders doing that when first building a gun, but never of that being done to a factory built side lock.