AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: Buckscoshooter on January 12, 2011, 05:55:58 AM
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Just wondering how everyone views the topic of how many guns do ya need for hunting. I used to have 4 main hunting Muzzys. Now I have 2. My original Siple which is a .50 and my Daly Hawken. One long on short both in .50 so no need to change out bags or pouches. I did have a .40 for small game and Turkey but hardley used it and my.54 seemed like overkill with a 56inch barrel. So I have one old and one contemporary that get the job done. I know this is subjective but as always I am interested in what you guys are up to. BucksCoShooter. Please chime in. :)
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I am actually aiming to one have one, a rifle. I will be beginning it late this spring. It is going to be a .44 caliber J.P. Beck with a Hollanback lock & set triggers. Head shots on squirrel, big enough for whitetail and the set triggers for target shooting.
Brian
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Hunting only, small game, deer, and Antelope, the .45 works for me if I was to have only one rifle gun for hunting.
Were I to hunt game that included larger then deer size animals such as Elk, as well as small game such a rabbits, I'd probably opt for a smoothbore Trade gun in .62/20ga...
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Just wondering how everyone views the topic of how many guns do ya need for hunting.
Most likely the key word is "need".....also influenced by the type of hunting.
For my hunting in North Carolina where the biggest game is a whitetail in thick woods and small game includes turkey, squirrels, doves, rabbits, crows...I would really only "need" my .62cal smoothbore Virginia.
But… ;D ...I also “like” my:
.58cal as my main deer rifle;
Smaller .28ga smoothbore for squirrels / rabbits;
PRB out of the .28ga at the end of an afternoon squirrel hunt to sit for a deer;
.50cal as a change of pace for deer hunting;
.45cal for year round range shooting;
.40cal that is just plain fun to shoot;
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I need more time. Plenty of guns. But if I was to make a list of a comfortable minimum, a .32-.36 squirrel/small game rifle, a .54 all-rounder big game rifle, and a 12 ga long barreled fowling gun would do it for most situations.
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.54 Jaeger for deer and 28 Ga smoothy for bunny hops assuming hunting will still be in my bag of tricks on down the road.... :-\
My first thought was to say "As many as the attic floor would hold."
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I am kind of like Roundball and Roger. But if at a bare minimum as in owning one gun it would be a 12 bore smooth rifle. I do not own one but have a 20 bore smooth rifle and it is good for large game out to at least 75 yards. I do have a 12 bore fowler and have owned others and like the shot capabilities better. To scratch my itches I have a 25 squirrel rifle, would stay with the smooth bore for grouse and possibly ducks and pheasants, and a 58 for deer. So you are looking at about three guns that would fit into my normal hunting. One gun would limit me in range for deer hunting and be too big for squirrels or else fill them with shot, although at times a shotgun on squirrels is not all dumb. Sometimes one kind of hunts both grouse and squirrel.
Just the pleasure of having some guns is also considered. Also am I in the mood for percussion or flint?
DP
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My first "all around" flinter was 12 ga. NW trade gun, 36 barrel with mod. jug choke. I used to to harvest squirrels, bunnies, and birds with #4 or #6 shot, bb or buck for varmits, and each fall a .715 pumpkin ball would be rammed over 100 grains of FF for white tail deer. Thats all that IS NEEDED. Now how many do I actualy own???? Sheesh, I gotta count'em????...Ed
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Let's see. Not counting bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, and laundry room.......I have 7 rooms in my house with 4 corners each. That's 28 corners, minus the three rifles I have that leaves 25 empty corners. So......25 more for me. :D
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Oh my! At a bare minimum a .36 for small game, varmints and fun shooting, a .40 for all around, a .45 for deer & down, a .50 for a spare, a .54 for general larger game and a .62 fowler. this leaves a lot of holes but I think I might be able to just get by with these. ;D
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Beware of the man with one gun as he probably really knows how to use it!!!
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needs, Two.
One for "Big" game and one for small game. But $#@*, who wants only two? I'd like a .62 smooth for in close big game, a smooth .28g for the trail, a 54 rifled for longer range big game, throw in a few pistols, and a cannon; a 6 pounder! Needs and wants don't match. ;D
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Theres a tremendous difference twixt "NEED' and "DESIRE"
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Greybeard - from where do your hail?
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hi Daryl; Duncan on Van Isle.
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Beware of the man with one gun as he probably really knows how to use it!!!
I don't know about that; back when I had only one gun I wasn't worth a #&%@$.
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I figure at least 20 or 30. But if you have to narrow it down, I'd say a small bore .32 or .36 for squirrels- plus it saves lead and powder. For serious hunting- a .45 or .50 cal.
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I guess you are refering to how many ML guns one needs?<g>
I'm in the slow process of upgrading my ml guns and want to end up with four. A cap and flint .40 cal and a cap and flint .54 (or maybe .58). That will cover all hunting I do and also allow me to shoot all of the rifle classes in the local shoots.
Probably won't live long enough to make the upgrade!<g>
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For me? all the guns I can get ;D :D ; AL
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I really wish you guys would not post a topic like this!
"Wifie" already asks me this ridiculus question, every time she walks in to the gun room.
So next time this is discussed, if less than 20 guns, it should be in code.
There are 365 days in a year, right, and why not one for each day of the year, kinda like shoes. My daughter gets away with that concept.
So in other words any of you guys with less than 10 guns, are just newbies!
So keep it in code!
Best regards
Old Ford
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I used to have a MLing rifle in every [standard] caliber plus two 20 gauge smoothies--I still have too many. I guess I am sort of a collector [or maybe "accumulator" would be more accurate]. I have three .50s--overkill perhaps, but they are all different--two .54s, two .45s, a .32, a .58, and a .62 smoothie. I used to have another .58, another .62, a .36 and a .40. The .32 serves me well for small game and for big game I have a problem: which rifle-gun to take out? Too many choices and I'd probably be better served with one or two big bores instead of all the ones I have. Some of these rifles/guns were bought more for reenacting than hunting, so I do have favorites for hunting that narrow down the choice. Frankly a fellow could be well-served with two or three and if starting over I might make different choices. I have the same problem with modern rifles/guns--too many and a lot of favorites--and yes I still hunt and shoot cartridge guns--I was raised with them and they are old friends with many memories in the field to entertain me in my old age...
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I firmly believe that a person "needs" as many rifles an smoothbores as he/she wants. I am no where near that number, but it is a lot of fun not to have to shoot the same rifle or smoothbore weekend after weekend. There are favourites, like the Kodiak double barreled .58 which must use 100gr. or 110gr. 2F to regulate and the old 9 7/8 pound .45, exceptionally accurate and easy shooting offhand rifle with it's .45 x 7/8" straight 42" bl., but the other .58, a Musketoon, the 14 bore rifle, 20 bore smoothie, .40 and .32 are fun as well and sometimes I really enjoy using those over any others. Variety is the spice of life. Yeah - beware the man with one rifle - or shoot enough to be good with them all.
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I will add that it does not hurt to have one as kind of a spare. Broke a fizzen spring on a flintlock one year and went to the percussion for deer hunting. Its a matter of reference I guess as I could keep spare parts on hand, but a spare rifle is still handier. So now you can double the number you think you need. I still like keeping the caplock on hand for that purpose. Like Daryl says also, if you shoot a lot on weekends then a little variety does not hurt. I have often thought I would like to play with a civil war rifled musket.
DP
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I have often thought I would like to play with a civil war rifled musket.
DP
Taylor bought one for that purpose, but hasn't played much with it yet. So far, it's got it's new sights - that's all for now. I really like shooting my Musketoon with patched round balls - very accurate - just about as accurate as any othe rifle I have - honest. It shoots well indeed.
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My answer would be two, a 50 cal, and a smooth bore. It has been an idea of mine for a long time that when a settler needed a deer to feed the family if all he had was a .50 then the .50 became a deer rifle, or if what he had was a .50 and he saw a squirrel then the .50 was a squirrel rifle. I enjoy owning several rifles but I really only need one. However a smoothie is an excelent all around gun.
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I already have 3 .54 flintlock rifles which are fine for deer hunting but really want to get a .36 flintlock for small game ect.
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My answer would be two, a 50 cal, and a smooth bore. It has been an idea of mine for a long time that when a settler needed a deer to feed the family if all he had was a .50 then the .50 became a deer rifle, or if what he had was a .50 and he saw a squirrel then the .50 was a squirrel rifle. I enjoy owning several rifles but I really only need one. However a smoothie is an excelent all around gun.
So many are oriented to match shooting such that the smooth rifle is an orphan. I have one in 20 bore and can get accuracy out to at least 75 yards that gives me confidence in using it as a deer gun. It ahs good sights and a rifle lock with a rifle trigger pull. A good fowler with sights would also work double duty. As my shots can be a bit longer I tend to use a 58 rifle, but the smooth bore deserves more consideration.
I think if I got a civil war musket I would likely play with and then put it up with other guns I do not shoot. I am now cleaning the closet with modern guns.
DP
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For a long time, the .69 was the only rifle I needed. It handled shot well enough to kill grouse at 25 yards, quib loads of 30gr. of busting bunny heads, barked a couple squirrles with 165gr. and shot some moose with the same load.
Then, my needs were simple. Now, I need a lot more.
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For a long time, the .69 was the only rifle I needed. It handled shot well enough to kill grouse at 25 yards, quib loads of 30gr. of busting bunny heads, barked a couple squirrles with 165gr. and shot some moose with the same load.
Then, my needs were simple. Now, I need a lot more.
When I read this the first hting that poped into my mind was how we like to spend $4-500 in parts not counting time or more cash for a small caliber so we can save money shooting a more economical rifle. Wonder how long it takes for payback doing that ;D ;D
DP
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I've got around 20 right now, so let's see.... I guess that means I only have to pick up another 40 or so to have what I need. ;D
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At least six in various calibers and styles to cover everything. Starting at .25 and stopping at .62, styles from 1760 to 1870. Then ya need some spares, originals and others for fun after the necessities are covered.
Boy I got a long way to go!!
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Why stop at .62??? My wish list has a 10ga Chambers New England Colonial Fowler on it. I've already got a .25 at the small end. Want a .40 too, to fill in the middle of my batch.
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I have five flintlocks:
A Early Virginia 50 caliber
A Late Lancaster 50 caliber
A Indian Trade Rifle 58 caliber
A Indian Trade Smoothbore 24 guage
A Southern Rifle 32 caliber
I'd like to get two more. Another Southern in a 40 or 45 caliber, and a 20 guage fowler.
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For me the correct answer is 1, as in 1 more.
Although the response pointing out how many corners there are in the house hit below the belt just a bit. I could've saved a lot of money if I'd thought far enough ahead to build a round house. Na, probably would'a went crazy looking for a corner to take a leak.
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For me the correct answer is 1, as in 1 more.
Although the response pointing out how many corners there are in the house hit below the belt just a bit. I could've saved a lot of money if I'd thought far enough ahead to build a round house. Na, probably would'a went crazy looking for a corner to take a leak.
You've seen the ceiling racks for fishing poles ... with a few slight modifications the same concept works great for guns.
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I guess I'm a hoarder. I have 75. They say if you know how many,you dont have enough! I also have 4 classic cars. The guy with the most toys wins?????
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In Ohio you only need one gun. A. .40 cal is the maximum allowed for squirrel and the minimum for deer. Don't see the need for anything else. Not interested in birds because in my county you can't shoot turkey and there are no pheasants anymore. :-\
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The answer to this question is really quite simple. Since I can only shoot one long gun at a time the answer is one. Times toe number of different kinds of guns and game I want to try. The answer to that is infinity. FRJ
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"How many guns needed?"
That sounds like the first question the female marriage counselor asks.
I prefer the old Viking maxim of "never being more than an arm's length from a weapon". That takes a lot of guns.
Yeah...I know. I'm one of those "clingers".
Steve
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Maybe we should only own one of everything.
one gun
one car
one television
one knife
one Dog
one cat
etc.
Now that I think about it, it would of saved me a whole lot of money. "LOL"
On the serious side: My Dad ( bless his soul ) was one hard working man, plus he was a real tight wad with his money. He died in 1975 at the age of 46 years old of a heart attack. I'm enjoying my life, even though you can't take material things with you I'm enjoying my toys while I can. Why ? Because you never know when it will be time for you to go. Here today, gone tommorrow. I'm only 53 years old and I've buried way to many friends and family already. And alot of them never made it to 60 years old, some didn't make it to 50 years old. So I say "Life is a gift from GOD, enjoy it." ;D
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Many years ago ( more than I care to remember ) I owned a .36 caliber Southern Rifle. It had browned steel furniture and a plain maple stock. But it shot real good, kept between a 1/2" to 3/4" group at 50 yards. I sold that rifle about twenty years ago and still regret the day I sold it. So if I "had" to have only one flintlock I'd like that one back.
I had some good times in the squirrel woods with that gun.
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J Dancy has a good view on the subject but I'm a bit more conservative. BASIC: .32 flinter & spare, .36flinter & spare, .40 flinter & spare, .45 flinter & spare, .50 flinter & spare, .54 flinter & spare, .58 flinter & spare/24 ga smoothbore & spare, 28 ga smoothbore & spare, 20 ga smoothbore & spare.
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Ok then.
I'm in pretty good shape, I just need a few spares. ;D
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No way to have too many, but you can have too few.
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I already have 3 .54 flintlock rifles which are fine for deer hunting but really want to get a .36 flintlock for small game ect.
I guess I have to update this post....got a .32 flintlock for small game and now thinking about a 10 gauge flinter.
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My next one will be:
Southern Mountain Rifle
Flint ( either siler or round face english lock )
40 or 45 caliber
Barrel 42" - 46" inches / 13/16" wide
Browned Steel Furniture ( side plate, nose cap, toe plate, butt plate, three thimbles, trigger guard, )
Southern Three Piece Patch Box
Stock super premium maple or walnut stained ebony )
Triggers Double set/ double phase
Plus I'll get my brother in law to do some light carving on it.
Small enough for squirrel, yet big enough for coyote, fox, turkey, etc. ;D
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I'd like a nice little 16 bore English rifle.