TC Seneca .36

[Ozz]

So I happened into a little Seneca in .36, unfired. It's a nifty little rifle. I'm looking for options to feed it. I believe it has a 1/48 twist. What is the normal projectile diameter, .375"? Anyone have any pet loads? Thanks!

 

[bubba.50]

No, unlike 36 cal pistols the Seneca is actually 36 caliber. Roundballs would be .350 plus patch. Look around and you should be able to find some 36 maxi-balls or similar projectiles.

Sorry, don’t have any loads for ya.

 

[Ozz]

No, unlike 36 cal pistols the Seneca is actually 36 caliber. Roundballs would be .350 plus patch. Look around and you should be able to find some 36 maxi-balls or similar projectiles.

Very interesting. Would .358 or .356 diameter cast for .38 special or 9mm work?

 

[user 48679]

I wouldn't

 

[Des52]

Very interesting. Would .358 or .356 diameter cast for .38 special or 9mm work?

No you want a pure lead .350 roundball or a TC Maxi ball. In my .36s i use 20 grains of 3f with the roundballs and 35 grains with the TC maxi.

 

[Longrifle]

A buddy of mine has the same rifle, he said that his Seneca wouldn't shoot any type of conical worth a damn, but a .350 RB with a .015 patch and 30gr of 3f Goex is deadly accurate (in his rifle), someone else's may like a different load, but it's a .36 and using 3f, you don't need much powder to get that RB moving. He uses it for rabbits and has taken a coyote or two.

 

[Winchester97]

Very interesting. Would .358 or .356 diameter cast for .38 special or 9mm work?

I have used .358 soft lead hollow base wadcutters in mine, accuracy was one ragged hole at 25yd. But its a pretty loose fit, allowing the possibility of the projectile creeping forward throughout the day...therefore,I stick with roundball or .36 Tc maxiball.

 

[bubba.50]

If you want to go to that much effort just to be different you could try paper-patching. That would require sizing the bullets down to .350 or under, paper-patch them, then run them through another sizer. Personally, l’d buy some maxi-balls or maybe you could find some Buffalo Bullets ‘balletts’ in 36 cal.

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I have a .36 Maxiball mould and I can cast you some .36 maxi balls to try. That is the conical bullet made for that rifle.
Ohio Rusty ><>

 

[Rokon]

My outstanding MATCH load is 30.0 grs. Swiss 3F, .350 ball, .015 patch lubed with Shenandoah Valley lubricant, CCI cap.

 

[kelljp]

Like Longrifle said "350 RB with a .015 lubed patch and 30gr of 3f Goex" I use this in my Seneca and it's consistent at 40 yards.

 

[Crow-Feather]

Very interesting. Would .358 or .356 diameter cast for .38 special or 9mm work?

no ........ 350 ........ Check out Hornaday on Ammo Seek

 

[hanshi]

My .36, though not a Seneca, really likes 30 grns of 3F, a .350" ball and a .024" canvas patch lubed with either Hoppes BP Lube or mink oil. But I have noticed that 20 grains of 3F shoots just as well and conserves powder.

 

[Eric Bye]

Hornady also sells .350 diameter 000 buckshot in five-pound boxes. The last box I bought a couple of years ago was under $30 and well worth it. These round balls have no flat spot from a sprue and are very convenient to use. Casting small-caliber balls is a bit tedious and this box of buckshot is really handy. You may experiment with different projectiles and patches in your rifle, but you are likely to find that round balls shoot best.

 

[Maven]

Nice to see you here, Eric!

 

[nhmoose]

Eric, I use the 0 buck by Hornady for my 1849 colt works great. But these days there is a problem no Buckshot is available at this time ANYWHERE!

Track of the wolf has hand cast balls at this time.