.32 or .36

[WadePatton]

There's that guy making gang moulds too.  We discussed him about thirty-caliber stuff a little while back (30 cal ammo thread).  You can order any diameter you like, or mixed--which is what I want to try.  40/30 cal gang mould, and he has confirmed that he will make such. They mixed 'em back when as well- in iron rather than aluminum of course.  I won't order a gang mould until I determine exactly what sized balls I care to cast. Was hoping someone else would give that maker a go.  Marty--I think I recall.

[hanshi]

I have both a .32 and .36 and love both.  The .36 is definitely more versatile but I've used the .32 lots more for squirrels and the .36 more for general shooting.  Either will be a fine choice but I think a .32 might make more sense in your case.

[MuskratMike]

Thanks Hanshi and the others who responded. Has anyone used Ballistic Products .310 shot in their 32's? As they are hardened shot I am a little concerned in using them but since they are .310 if I use a not to thick patch they still should load easily enough. Right?

[Bassdog1]

Mike they will work fine I have several 32s  and have shot Ballistic products Buckshot, Regular swaged commercial round balls by Speer and Hornady and cast my own .315 and .310 round balls and got good accuracy by altering patch thickness from .010 up to .020. Both the 32 and 36 are a lot of fun to shoot.

[smokepole45cal]

Neither .32. or .36 - just go with a smoothbore and harvest more meat!

 Nothing wrong with smooth given a poor boy style is a minimalist, function-first gun minus all the froo-froo stuff. You then have the option of shot vs. ball as needed.

[Daryl]

I found Hornady buckshot (.320") to be too hard to load easily in my .32. I did use .311" and .320" cast pure lead balls with the same .0225" patches
without any difficulty loading either.

[Levy]

If you already have the .40, then I'd vote for the .32 for all the reasons listed by others.  I don't cast bullets anymore and use swaged shot from Ballistic Products.  I don't really enjoy target shooting very much, but use it for sighting in, of course.  A couple of things that help with the small bores is a bullet board full of already patched bullets and a small funnel for the bore so that it's easier to get all of the powder in the barrel.  I procure a couple of these small funnels from the handy dispenser on the wall every time I go for a Dr's appointment.  I hunt squirrels A LOT here in Florida and use calibers from .25 thru .40, though I prefer the smaller calibers.  Shots taken are usually from 25 yds down to 10 yds because the woods I hunt are thick (slightly better after the leaves fall).  You have my sympathies with the lack of many squirrels.
James Levy

[hanshi]

I'll just mention some shooting I did with a couple of small bores using ball I cast from old WW alloy.  They loaded and shot very well using a .390" mold and a .311" mold.

[smokepole45cal]

Gun weight, shooter stature, and manageable recoil were the 3 concerns for my current .36cal project for my sister who is barely 5ft tall.  If you're 6ft with a 14-inch trigger pull, like most contemporary builders seem to think every decent gun must have nowadays, then you have no problem I guess.  However, Chuck Dixon states in his book that most originals had about 12.5" pull lengths - so its either 2 things:  modern shooters just evolved taller in 250 years or they just dont shoot in cold weather.

I researched for a long time a couple years back and talked with 3 barrel makers:  no off-the-rack .40cal or less barrel existed that was 1) not too long for a shorter person and 2) not excessively thick-walled and exceedingly too heavy to hold. Even a swamped barrel was just too darned heavy!

Bottom line? I waited about 4 months for Rice to custom build me a 36-inch .36cal of very light weight and swamped (breech 13/16", waist 5/8", muzzle 3/4"). They call it their "squirrel barrel" and she is sweet!  Burton also said as I recall he had one similar in his "A" weight.

If heavier gun weights in a "typical" 42+inch .36 or .32cal. barrel is something you're ok with then you're all set. Good Luck

[MuskratMike]

Actually I am 6' 1" and about 230 with long arms. I shoot year around in everything from light linen shirts to heavy Colonial hunting coats. I can live with 13 1/2 inches but like 14 inch length of pull better. The Rice 44-inch "A" weight Dickert/Lancaster in .32 caliber is the perfect and most historically correct barrel they make. But you are right body size does affect stock measurements.

[Daryl]

I think I've got you by 10 pounds, same height & 34/5" sleeve works.  I like 13 1/2" to 14" too, but whatever it is, I just reposition my shoulder.
That 44" A weight in a .32 would be a perfect weight for standing shooting.