Uses of a 36 caliber flintlock

[Buzzard]

Well fellows, I've been following this thread for awhile and have found very little BS involved so far. That's amazing! I shoot a CVA 32 squirrel rifle and a self built Bedford Co 36 flinter. Like Uncle Russ said, ya just can't believe the power of a 310rb at moderate ranges. The 36 is marginally better in that realm. "Loaded up", the 36 easily reach's .357mag power in the lighter weight bullets used in the cartridge. The 357 is deer legal here in Ohio, but not the 36mzldr. Probably a good thing as the RB loses alot of penetration downrange. My point comes to this. I've been fortunate enough to do "depredation" work here for over 20yrs and have taken that opportunity to "test" some theories. I've shot 2 whitetails with the 36 flinter, using squirrel hunter tactics, for the project involved. Both were taken using 40gr-3f and 350prb. One at 40yds and one at 25 yds. The 40yd doe went straight down. Hit right behind the shoulder, the ball hit a rib and deflected up into the spine. Not good a thing. Even with the better than expected outcome. The 25yd button buck hit right behind the shoulder, penetrated to the offside hide and stopped there. He ran 21steps. The 36 is NOT a deer rifle nor will it ever be. Only under the most perfect circumstance can it be used for any animal over about 75lbs. The 32 and 36cal rifles are small game rifles, with head or shoulder shots, and certainly are NOT to be compared with a 22lr. Their terminal performance is more on par with the 22Hornet when "loaded up" and with the 22mag when "loaded down". Note: 32 loaded at 15gr-3f/310prb and 36 loaded at 20gr-3f/350prb as "squirrel loads". Very few of us will ever get the chance to legally take a deer with these small caliber rifles and that is why i share this information with you. Just so you can make a somewhat informed decision about this subject. As always, your comments are encouraged, so that we all may learn a little more in the long run. Thanks, Buzzard

[Hanshi]

Seems I came in a little late but here goes.  I have a cap .32 and a flint SMR .36.  The .36 is a favorite for a number of reasons.  While the .32 is a super squirrel gun the .36 can easily take anything under deer in size.  It, too, excels at small game BUT also on larger varmints.  It's cheap to feed for lots of shooting (I like that).  The balls are pretty small but not nearly as difficult to handle as the .32s.  A pound of lead gives you 106 balls and a pound of powder gives you 200 (35grns) shots.

[Rasch Chronicles]

Interesting topic.

I am of the mind to build me a Tennessee rifle, and I was debating what caliber to make it in. It's going to be a tackdriver if I have my way with it, but it has to be a multipurpose gun too. I had almost settled on the 32 simply because I found it "different." Considering what you fellows have said though, the 36 caliber seems to be more practical if you are taking a wider variety of game. I'll have to look into it further, and make a decision.



Best Regards,
Albert “Afghanus” Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
Preserving and Tanning Small Hides

[AZ Longrifle]

I have one I bought back a couple of years ago, it's used, from a BP shooter about 2 hrs away from me.
I got the gun and thought it too small for me, and it was to be used by my young son, who's 8 now. He still can't hold it out too long. So, I ended up shooting it and totally falling in love with it! According to Dr. Fadala's Lyman BP book, the 60 grn FFFG load with a 125 grn, .360 Bullet is going at 1800 fps! In my experience, that's full house .357 Mag loads from a Lever Action rifle. As long as legal in your state, I believe this will take a Deer, Coyote or any other Medium size animal, very easily. This will be my 1st choice for a BP Javalina gun, next years season.
Light loads in 20-25 grns with a RB, are for small critters, Squirrels, Prairie Dogs, Birds, etc.
This rifle is about 40-50 yrs old and was purchased at a Rendezvous in 1986 by the previous owner, who bought it from a man in his 70's back then. He was told that a builder in WA state built it with the initials "SK"
I still I have no idea who it was that built this little beauty! But, it's by far, next to the faithful .45 Flintlock, one of the most versatile calibers of Flintlocks I own.
Here's a few pics of this fine old Flinter...

[Caddo]

Nice rifle, sounds like a lot of history behind it.

[Captchee]

also to add to this discussion . one might want to read on the Small rifle  that Clark carried  with him on the  L&C  expedition
http://lewis-clark.org/content/content-article.asp?ArticleID=2355

[No Rod]

I figure my best excuse to get a .36, eventually, is that I already have a pretty good supply of roundballs and old T/C Maxi-Balls for a .36.  And, if it's twisted right, I can't see how a .36 wouldn't do well with soft-case HBWCs, etc., from a .358"ish mold.

I never even thought of that when i ordered my .36... which by the way arrived today.  

now I'm going to have to try that too.

Jon

btw I'll post picts in a new thead.

[Rasch Chronicles]

Captchee,

Thanks for the informative link!

Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
Beekeeping- Just Not by Design…
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