Author Topic: .36 for deer hunting??  (Read 6397 times)

Offline Justin Urbantas

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1331
.36 for deer hunting??
« on: September 15, 2019, 10:04:50 PM »
There was a fellow on FB saying that he is using a .36 rifle for deer hunting this year. He claims that with .60 gr ffg and a maxi ball  it matches modern magnum handgun power.  What do you fellows think?  Seems small to me.

Offline J Henry

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 685
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2019, 11:33:52 PM »
Not in Maine,,40 cal minimum.

Offline Dennis Glazener

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19343
    • GillespieRifles
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2019, 12:44:40 AM »
VA has to be 45 or larger. Someone told me NC allows 36 but not sure, I personally think 40 is too small for MOST hunters but that's just my thoughts.
Dennis
"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend" - Thomas Jefferson

Offline Fyrstyk

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 234
  • "All I ask of living is to have no chains on me."
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2019, 12:51:47 AM »
Minimum 45 caliber here in CT.

Offline MuskratMike

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2190
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2019, 01:02:42 AM »
People's Socialist State of Oregon requires .40 for deer. I have carried my beloved Kibler .40 SMR during deer season but limited my shots to 70 yards. This year I will be carrying my new Lowell Haarer .54 flintlock for both deer and elk.
The "Muskrat" has spoken!
"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Offline Bob McBride

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2828
  • TENNESSEE
    • Black Powder TV
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2019, 01:14:42 AM »
You certainly can kill a deer with a well placed .36 caliber ball. Kind of like you certainly CAN ride a unicycle to work.

Offline Bob Roller

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9300
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2019, 01:40:00 AM »
People's Socialist State of Oregon requires .40 for deer. I have carried my beloved Kibler .40 SMR during deer season but limited my shots to 70 yards. This year I will be carrying my new Lowell Haarer .54 flintlock for both deer and elk.
The "Muskrat" has spoken!

The Muskrat is right. I would be afraid that a badly placed shot would end up
with an escaped animal that would be suffering. What does the 36 caliber ball weigh?
I think a 40 only weighs about 90 grains.To me, a minimum of 45 caliber would be
the starting point.

Bob Roller

Offline Hungry Horse

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5394
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2019, 01:48:50 AM »
I don抰 know of any state that allows that small caliber for deer. I抎 also have to ask where he got the conical bullet.

  Hungry Horse

Offline Sawfiler

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 186
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2019, 02:06:38 AM »
Hunters should have a desire for a clean kill out of respect for the animal. I have heard many stories of people taking deer with a modern double deuce. (Different kind of Long Rifle) Still doesn抰 mean it抯 ethical...
Wish I enjoyed what makes my living
Did what I do with a willin' hand
Some would run, ah, but that ain't like me
So I just dream and keep on bein' the way I am

Offline Jason C

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2019, 02:13:02 AM »
I don抰 know of any state that allows that small caliber for deer. I抎 also have to ask where he got the conical bullet.

  Hungry Horse


Legal in Tennessee, but I won't; should be >= .45 in my opinion.








« Last Edit: September 16, 2019, 03:42:48 AM by Jason C »

Offline OldMtnMan

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2648
  • Colorado
    • Verified Ladies  Prime 小asual Dating
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #10 on: September 16, 2019, 02:48:43 AM »
Not legal here in Colorado. It has to be at least a .40 cal with a conical and a .50 for a PRB for deer, antelope, and black bear.

Offline WadePatton

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5274
  • Tennessee
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #11 on: September 16, 2019, 03:14:40 AM »
I don抰 know of any state that allows that small caliber for deer. I抎 also have to ask where he got the conical bullet.

  Hungry Horse

Tennessee has likely the only 36 cal minimum for big game-technically legal for bear and elk too.

Most folks should never, but I'm sure some have and it's quite possible.  Archery range might be reasonable, but I never plan to try it out. I might with a 40-I've seen what they can do close up.
Hold to the Wind

Offline Rodd.Boyer

  • Starting Member
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #12 on: September 16, 2019, 03:58:11 AM »
Not in Missouri either.... got to be at least .40 cal...

Offline RichG

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 448
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #13 on: September 16, 2019, 04:10:04 AM »
he says the load is a maxi ball. 36 maxi weighs 120+ grains witch is the same as a 45 rb.   I've shot 10-12 deer with 40 and 45 rb. Will go through a deer no problem. A 36 maxi might not be legal, but what do the rule makers know? 60 grs of 2f should be around 1700fps. Keep the range close and shouldn't be a problem. Lyman used to make 36 maxi ball moulds(I have one) and custom mould makers can supply 32 and 36 maxi's.

Offline R.J.Bruce

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 375
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #14 on: September 16, 2019, 05:48:24 AM »
Doc White has info on his website for loads and bullets he developed in .331 cal., and .367 cal.

The difference is that everything was a complete package. The inline muzzleloading rifle with thick barrel walls of 4140 CM steel, a breechplug designed for the higher pressures generated with bullets, LOOOOOONG grease groove bullets with superior ballistic coefficients,  proper rifling depth and rates of twist for said bullets, really good triggers, etc.

When T/C invented the maxi-ball and maxi-hunter slugs they were reinventing the wheel for no other reason than to market projectiles under their own brand in the hopes that customers would be convinced that the T/C product was superior to a round ball, when in fact it was not.

Every couple of weeks/months on one of the various muzzleloading forums the same question arises as the one Justin has posed here.

It must be human nature to be constantly searching for a "MAGIC BULLET" in some form of endeavor that will allow one to substitute a new product for practical skill, and the OLD way of doing things.

Doc's .331 and .367 caliber bullets in his rifles will kill deer deader than a doorknob in the hands of an experienced hunter. According to Doc they have phenomenal penetration ability, something the T/C slugs do not.

I believe Daryl has talked about this often.
.

Offline alacran

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2100
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #15 on: September 16, 2019, 02:38:07 PM »
In Arizona there is no minimum muzzleloader caliber requirement for any game species. I haven't done it myself, but a good friend has killed three Coues deer with a .36 flinter using prb.  All shot at less than 40 yards.
I personally believe that there is no substitute for cubic inches.
A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.  Frederick Douglass

Offline OldMtnMan

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2648
  • Colorado
    • Verified Ladies  Prime 小asual Dating
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #16 on: September 16, 2019, 03:51:20 PM »
In Arizona there is no minimum muzzleloader caliber requirement for any game species. I haven't done it myself, but a good friend has killed three Coues deer with a .36 flinter using prb.  All shot at less than 40 yards.
I personally believe that there is no substitute for cubic inches.

Couse deer are pretty small. You're lucky to get 30-35lbs of meat from them.

Offline Frank

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 966
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #17 on: September 16, 2019, 04:22:10 PM »
I don抰 know of any state that allows that small caliber for deer. I抎 also have to ask where he got the conical bullet.

  Hungry Horse

Could be using a modern 38 caliber semi wadcitter. They are .357 diameter and weigh 158 grains.

Offline OldMtnMan

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2648
  • Colorado
    • Verified Ladies  Prime 小asual Dating
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #18 on: September 16, 2019, 04:34:04 PM »
He said it was a maxi-ball.

You can buy them.

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/129/1/BALL-36-MAXI

Offline smokinbuck

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2959
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #19 on: September 16, 2019, 04:40:25 PM »
Ohio has a .38 minimum for deer. I've taken a few with a .40 but think that's minimal at best.
Mark

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

  • Member 3
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12522
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #20 on: September 16, 2019, 07:07:12 PM »
British Columbia has a .40 cal minimum limit for hunting big game, Justin.
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline Daryl

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14970
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #21 on: September 16, 2019, 08:31:04 PM »
Back in about 76, I finished off a deer with my wife's .36 Seneca using 60gr. 2F and a 128gr. maxi-ball. I had shot the deer when facing me, through the neck, but the round ball missed the spine & exited, however dropped him in his tracks.  I reloaded, advanced and missed his head as he was throwing it around.  She handed me her rifle & I re shot at it's head, the bullet missing, but entering the neck, about 1/2 way down, traveled the length of it's neck and entered the spine went down the cord then stopped still inside the spine, at the base of his neck.

A broadside shot would work on deer, I am sure, but it is not something I would attempt as I have better guns for the purpose.


Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline Justin Urbantas

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1331
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #22 on: September 17, 2019, 04:48:14 AM »
Yeah, I guess it can be done, but I think it's under powered. The guy is hunting in Kentucky.

Offline OldMtnMan

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2648
  • Colorado
    • Verified Ladies  Prime 小asual Dating
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #23 on: September 17, 2019, 03:33:19 PM »
I never understood using the minimum caliber for game. It's like fishing for 10lb trout with a 2wt fly rod. Dumb!

Offline Mike Lyons

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1240
  • Afghanvet
Re: .36 for deer hunting??
« Reply #24 on: September 17, 2019, 06:03:13 PM »
Ky is any caliber for deer.  .50 caliber or larger for elk.