Small Game Load

[rodwha]

I have a .50 cal Lyman's Deerstalker. I'm still breaking it in currently.

I've read that many people use their larger caliber muzzleloaders for small game hunting with light charges. I'm a bit curious just how light a load can go and reliably expel the PRB, and also what loads others have found work in their 1:48" twist out to maybe 50 yds. As head shots are required it has to be a tight group for little critters!

 

[J-Bar]

I would shoot the load that gave me the smallest group, no matter what sized game I am aiming at. No 50 caliber ball is going to have an explosive shock effect. It will kill by making a big deep hole in a large animal or a big hole all the way through a small one.

But that's just me.

 

[rodwha]

True. It seems, from what I've been reading, that most rifles have 2 or so accurate loadings. One is mild and one is more practical for standard use.

it would seem a bit overdone though using a 70 grn charge to take home some squirrels.

I'm set on finding a hunting load 0'd at either 75 or 100 yds, and I'm hoping I'll find a mild load that will do well with the sight setting out to 25-35 yds without need to alter the sights.

 

[faustopph]

Chances are you will have to move the sights unless you learn to compensate for the POI change. That is something I sure wouldn't recommend when it comes to taking game.

 

[25cschaefer]

Why not use shot, try useing a shot cup and see how bad it spreads. I would bet it isn't too bad for squirrels.

 

[rodwha]

That was my first thought, and the responses were that the pattern would doughnut far too quickly.

It seems rather odd to use a .50 cal rifle for small game hunting, but many do it, and I suppose it gives one more time with one rifle than with two...

I have talked to a custom barrel maker about a smoothbore drop in barrel. I like the idea that I could have a gun case with a few barrels much like a T/C.

I keep thinking I just need a Traditions .32 "Deerhunter." But until then I figure I'll try my hand at mild loads in my .50. The price of all I'd need would buy all of the patches, balls, caps, and powder I'd need for a very long time... But we all need a few rifles, eh?

 

[AJumbo]

I've eaten a mess of rabbits that fell to my .54. I usually load a patched .530 RB on top of 50gr of 3f or "p" Pyrodex.... this is also my plinking and informal target load. I know how it shoots all the way out to 100 yards, and if I can see a rabbit's eye, I'm within head shot range.

Find a light load that prints well, and shoot it a lot, at different distances, at different-sized targets, in various weather conditions..... kinda like David Crockett had to do.

 

[Hanshi]

For small critters like squirrels/rabbits, always try for head shots. Even with .50s charges in the 25grn to 40grn range can be accurate. You don't have to change sights, either. Sight your deer load for 75 yards and your light load should be dead on at 25yds.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Hanshi is right. Try your light load, like half of your deer hunting load, or perhaps a bit lighter, at the ranges you think you will be head shooting the squirrels and rabbits.

Why not use shot, try useing a shot cup and see how bad it spreads

Well I wonder where one would fine a shot cup for a .50, but even if you did, the temp of black powder or Pyrodex will melt an ordinary shot cup's base, and deposit plastic in your barrel that is a bit€Ħ to clean.

LD

 

[rodwha]

As for shot, I had considered a felt wad, shot, and another felt wad with 40-60 grns of 3F and 1+ oz of #6 shot. Not the standard way to load shot, but I figured since I have felt and a punch I'd try it first. If it didn't work well enough it would give me the need to get into casting so as to make use of the lead shot.

I hear lighter powder charges help keep the shot closer a little longer. I've also heard of using paper cups. Guess you'd need a wad in-between though...

I've contacted a custom barrel maker about a smoothbore barrel though, and I'd like one. Not so much for small game, but in hopes of being able to hunt turkey or even dove/quail/pheasant.