General discussion > Black Powder Shooting
Sign of the times: smallbores
Habu:
That sad day has finally come, I'm seriously considering building a smallbore for myself. But which one?
Caliber is probably the first parameter I need to define. Generally speaking, I'm considering something sub-.40 caliber. The rifle will get used for general plinking, small game hunting (probably nothing larger than a small coyote). I'm leaning towards something in the .36-.38 caliber due mostly to the winds we get around here. Any suggestions on which might be better logistically?
Barrel length is another consideration. How much of a bother is a long smallbore barrel to load, clean, etc? I've seen days when it was so hot and dry I had to flush the lock of my Bess just to keep it firing; will I be able to keep shooting a smallbore longrifle on a day like that without cleaning every shot?
Barrel size? I'm probably not going to spring for a swamped barrel for an experimental rifle; I'd rather save the funds for the transitional project I've got in the works.
Which barrel makers are not currently backlogged? If it is not on the shelf, I don't want it.
Thanks!
BrownBear:
I'll stay clear of speculating about your climate or any of the tech details including barrel makers. However, I can report on lots of field time with both 32 and 36 caliber cappers for small game and plinking.
I haven't shot anything as big as a coyote, but I've sure shot a lot in the wind. I'm not a long range shooter either (i.e., nothing past 50), but I would have my doubts about the 32 for coyotes at long range unless you were shooting smoking hot loads. Even then, there's the issue of wind drift. Cross off coyotes and I'll throw a 32 alongside a 36 for small game and plinking out to 50 yards. Go past 50 and poke at a coyote, and I'd be more comfortable with the 36 and a hefty charge.
On the practical side for small game, I'm taking head shots only so power isn't an issue with either caliber. I've intentionally searched for the lightest loads that shoot well. Coincidentally in my cappers, 20 grains of 3f or pyro p shoot equally well in both calibers. For whatever reason I get less fouling with the p, but I'm not running super tight patch/ball combos in order to ease field loading.
I will offer one practical bit of advice, whichever you choose: Like them or not, and pc or not, build yourself some loading blocks. When you start handling those small balls and patches in the cold, especially with gloves, you'll lose more in the snow than you'll put down the bore without a loading block.
bob in the woods:
Ref: straight oct barrels, I built a .32 with a 42 in 13/16 barrel, and found it too muzzle heavy. Just my opinion. I also built a .36 with a 3/4 in , 42 in length which was a joy to shoot. It was deadly on the raccoons which came looking for my chickens. Actually, the .36 is probably my favourite small bore cal.
Daryl:
Dave R. used a long .33 cal flinter for the squirrel match at Hefley with a split hickory rod. He had no difficulty shooting the 25 round course of fire without having to wipe the bore.
We've shot all our guns in very hot conditions without having to wipe the bore. I don't get the problem some have with hot weather - or wet weather, either. We shoot in both without fouoing problems.
As to calibre, I'd stay with a .38 to .40 with coyotes on the list of game animals. Maybe that means a .38 minimum with 75 yards as a safe max. Even at that, broadside lung shots or head shots only. Of course, we all have our opinions, but then, that's what was asked for. The size of the coyote would have some bearing as ours aren't the runty Texas dogs. They'll run to 40 pounds fora big male. Weight isn't all of it, of course, they're all quite tough and will go a long way with a small hole.
wvmtnman:
I have been doing a lot of shooting with a .36 caliber lately. It is a full stock OH style rifle, 13/16 42 inch Green Mountain barrel and a percussion Siler Mountain lock . This last time I was concentrating on the 50 yard target, geting ready for squirrel season. I was able to cover my groups with a quarter. I am using 40 grains of fffg, .018 pillow tick patch lubed with bore butter and a .350 cast round ball.
As far as cleaning, I see no difference between that and a 50 cal. Shooting off hand is also easy as the 13/16 barrel is just right in weight for me. However, for squirrel hunting, you will need to take head shots.
The only bad thing about calibers lower than .40 is the sizes of roundball. Usually there will be limited choices for each caliber unless you have a mold made.
Brian
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