Squirrel with 50 idea

[mashaffer]

Would like to run an idea past you. For using shot in a 50 caliber rifle I was thinking that one might be able to use a homemade paper or thin paperboard shot cup to minimize the effect of the rifling. Do you think that such a cup would have any tendancy to slide over the lands and so impart less spin? How about if we lube the outside of the cup? My idea is to form it over a properly sized dowel and then load powder, cushion wad, shotcup, overshot wad.

Pipe dream?

mike

 

[No Deer]

There have been many threads on this. It sounds like a good idea, but those that have tried it always end up disappointed. Seems that the rifleing imparts a spin on the loads and it is next to impossible to get a good pattern. I guess we just want to get too much from the rifle. But, in the interest of science, and as an excuse to go to the range :winking:, try it, and keep notes so you can report back to us.

Another option is to lighten the load and just use the roundball for skwerls. Many have done that successfully.

In my opinion (and we all know what opinions are like), the best solution is to get a smoothbore, or is your gun is capable, get a drop in smoothbore barrel for it. Personally I prefer the smoothbore gun, it is versatile and fits all occasions

 

[Alberta Black]

My hunting partner (Hornhead) once shot a grouse on the wing at about ten yards with a shot load from his .54 Robinson. It was probably the unluckiest grouse in Alberta.

Yesterday he shot another one with a RB load and unfortunately held a little low. It was a very sick grouse.

LOL
AB

 

[paulvallandigham]

The rifling imparts spin to the paper shot cup, which in turn spins the shot, ruining the pattern. Its been done. Use a smoothbore with shot. I shot at 10 clay targets with my .50 rifle using shot loads, and hit 3. When I put the loads on paper, I was surprised I hit that many!

 

[Stumpkiller]

There is no paper strong enough that the shot column won't compress and squeeze it into the grooves. Even solid lead obrurates to fill the grooves (the mass of shot further ahead tends to want to stay at rest while the blast is pushing from behind). Also partly why wider and shorter shot columns are better than long thin ones.

If you use something tough enough to hold up, how will it be able to release the shot?

T/C used to make plastic capsules for the barrel that could shoot .44Mag bullets or shot (and the .410/.45 Colt, too), but they needed a special choke insert that halted the spin and split the capsule. Otherwise it's just a complicated bullet with zero spread/diffusion.

 

[CrackStock]

If you want to shoot squirrel with a .50:

1. Check your game regs -- you are likely not legal.

2. Use a patched round ball, but load the gun down. Head shots or center body will leave a lot of useful meat.

CS

 

[mashaffer]

Thanks for the tips. Indiana has no weapon restrictions for squirrel. Theoretically I can use a sling full of rocks. Hey... that's not a bad idea.

mike