Squirrel takes on the .40cal

[roundball]

Well, not much to show for a couple hours in the woods, but never-the-less this ”˜retiree’ got out of the house and the .40cal late Lancaster did its job when called upon.
Only saw two and one was a long ways off...this guy barked at me at about 4:00pm but wouldn't show a good shot...then right around 5:00pm near black dark he came around in full view on the side of his tree...bad idea.

 

[Drago]

That sounds like a nice day out.

 

[broknaero]

How bad is the .40 damage on squirrels opposed to .32? I'm sure a head shot is best, but just wondering. I'm interested in a .40 or maybe .36 as a multi use smaller game rifle. Squirrel,rabbit, woodchucks, called fox, bobcat,coyotes. Even called fall turkeys. I could be missled, but I've always thought a .32 a little low on power for coyotes. Not that I call many but I've had them come in when calling fox with a .22Mag and felt underpowered.

Thanks

 

[roundball]

IMO, there's a variety of "caliber selection" criteria.

For me, one major priority when spending my funds is to choose something that has a lot of bang for the buck.
Another is, with my interests primarily being hunting, my personal opinion is that a .32/.36 is too specialized / limited, with a .40cal being the smallest I personally wanted to go.

The .40cal has a greater range of hunting capabilities than a .32cal for example, and from an accuracy POV, the .40cal seems to be inherently accurate and from everything I've read, is a favorite caliber among competition shooters...economical for regular range trips, etc.
My first .40cal was a GM drop-in barrel for a T/C Hawken and it was everything I'd heard it to be...then when I managed to get a couple long guns I got this .40cal and it's outstanding.

As far as squirrels go, my personal opinion is that there isn't enough meat on the whole front of a squirrel to worry about damage...the hindquarters having the most. And I'm not good enough to consistently make clean head shots...so if a head/neck/shoulder is presented I take it.

So for me, I'd recommend the .40cal...

 

[Spikebuck]

I have found that squirrels shot with a 32 are not much different in damage than with a 22 cal longrifle cartridge. However, the first squirrel I shot with a 36 was MAJOR damage. I only take head shots now with the 36 and generally all that's left is some skin hanging there where a head used to be.

As roundball said, if you want something really multi-purpose across a range of small to medium game, then a larger caliber is probably better. If you're looking purely for a rifle for small game (squirrel/rabbit size) a 32 is very adequate and does the job without the significant damage. At least that is my personal experience.

 

[jrmflintlock]

Sweet!!!! :hatsoff: :hatsoff:

I have just decided!! I want to hunt squirrels with a flintlock in every state That has them, before I die!!

As to the rest of the conversation, I have taken squirrels,, rabbits and grouse with round balls ranging from .32 to .54.

As already stated, head shots are best with all calibers, and I'm not usually in a surviaval situation, if I dont have a head shot, I wait.. Not to say I have not made a bad shot or two, but I have not had anything complain about it, but me.

Whose game to join me on my bucket list!!!

 

[cynthialee]

don't bother hunting the tree rats around these parts
they are too small for the effort

 

[wattlebuster]

Good shootin RB. Sounds like you like your 40 as much as I like mine. An thats a whole bunch :grin:

 

[Matt85]

don't bother hunting the tree rats around these parts
they are too small for the effort

+1

its more like tree mice here.

-Matt

 

[roundball]

Good shootin RB. Sounds like you like your 40 as much as I like mine. An thats a whole bunch :grin:

I sure do...would have had a pair of bushy-tails with it but one got a free pass.
I was braced solid, elbows on my knees, set the trigger and had literally started applying finger pressure when he bolted higher up the tree trunk he was on and I lost sight of him...otherwise he'd have been in the photo too...maybe next time.

 

[david50]

i prefer my .32 for squirrels but have shot plenty with my .40,i like to stay with head shots but that dont always happen. anyway,good shooting Roundball :hatsoff:

 

[david50]

I have just decided!! I want to hunt squirrels with a flintlock in every state That has them, before I die!!
Whose game to join me on my bucket list!!!

that sounds like a worthy goal,count me in. :wink:

 

[BillinOregon]

We have silver grays here in Oregon. Waiting on my Stroh .40 ...

 

[jrmflintlock]

don't bother hunting the tree rats around these parts
they are too small for the effort

I just want the big fat ones!!! Good Grub..

I'm Sure there is something else I can hunt in your state.. Grouse, Deer.. anything.. I'm Game!!

 

[jrmflintlock]

I have just decided!! I want to hunt squirrels with a flintlock in every state That has them, before I die!!
Whose game to join me on my bucket list!!!

that sounds like a worthy goal,count me in. :wink:

Where do we want to start?? So Many Choices :grin:

Saeson is Over in NM, Anyone want to go to Colorado? I can start there!!

 

[cynthialee]

yep some grouse, plenty of turkey, deer, seen a pheasant or two but they are not numerous enough to hunt imho
and if ya spot a coyote there is a year round season on them

 

[jrmflintlock]

Turkey!!! Now you speekin my language!!!!

I Love takin'turkeys with the smokepole!!!

Man, I better start saving my pennies!!!! :hmm:

 

[Rat Trapper]

ff

 

[roundball]

I Love takin'turkeys with the smokepole!!!

First one I ever took with a 20ga Flintlock was as much or more of a rush than my first Flintlock buck...

 

[jrmflintlock]

ff

:shocked2: Sorry, I thought the topic was Traditional Hunting. My Bad.

Sorry roundball, did not mean to steal your thunder!!!