Why should I buy a .36 caliber?

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Legionnaire

Legionnaire

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I still consider myself a BP newbie. Nevertheless, the modest cap and ball collection now stands at two Uberti 1847 Walkers, two Uberti 1848 2nd Model Dragoons, one Pietta 1858 Remington Sheriff, and two stainless Ruger Old Armies. And I have designs on a couple more. All the above listed are .44/.45 caliber, and I think they're great!

One of the best things about BP is that one can adjust the load from gentle target load to full power "business" load right there at the range. So why do I need anything in .36 caliber? Anything the smaller bore will do better than the .44? Why should I want to make smaller holes?
 
Because you may be more accurate with a .36. Notice I did not say a .36 is inherently more accurate, although there is plenty of evidence that would suggest that may be the case. The point is that many people find they can be more accurate with smaller caliber guns, and that may be so in your case. If you don't own at least one good .36, AND become proficient with it (at least as proficient as you are with your .44's) you'll never know.

That's one reason why.
 
Is there a shibboleth or holy grail standard of accuracy for BP revolvers? Centerfire rifle shooters all want a rifle capable of 1 MOA, and then practice shooting tiny 1-inch or smaller groups. What's a practical aspirational standard for BP revolvers? 4" at 25 yards? I really don't have anything in mind, just wondering. I've been pretty happy with the accuracy of the .44s to date, but when shooting handguns, I guess my standard is more lax than when shooting my rifles.

Just trying to get a handle on how to measure "more accurate," mykeal.
 
I can only comment on my own standard, because it's what I can achieve. Odds are you can probably do better. I don't know if there's some golden standard - actually, I know there is because Phil Pilburn's wife and daughter can outshoot me all day long any day of the year. Look up [email protected]'s posting of NMLRA's pistol championship results on this forum - that would be a good place to start.

But, in personal terms, "more accurate" is better than you have done before. If your standard for .44's is, for example, 5 shots inside a 6 inch bull at 25 yards, 'duelist' standing, then "more accurate" would be 5 shots inside, say, 5 inches, same stance and distance. The argument for owning a .36 would be to get proficient and see if you can do that. It's not a compelling argument, i grant you, but it does have some merit at least.
 
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Centerfire rifle shooters all want a rifle capable of 1 MOA, and then practice shooting tiny 1-inch or smaller groups.
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1 inch rifle groups are fine if you are shooting at 100 yards (1 MOA). Being realistic, 6 inch groups at 600 yards or 10 inch groups at 1000 yards are also nothing to snivel at (also 1 MOA). The thing to look at is can the group size be achieved CONSISTENTLY. I use 3 inch groups at 25 yards one handed (duelist style) as my 'gold standard' for my BP revolvers. BTW, Phil's girls can out shoot me too! :p
 
X amount of lead will produce more .36 caliber balls than .44 caliber balls. Whether you cast your own or not, your cost per shot is less with a .36. (Actually I use .380 balls in mine)
 
Why a .36?

1. Because black powder is addictive. You will find reasons to carry one in the woods and fields as time goes on, if you haven't already... Colt Pocket Models like the 1862 Police and 1862 Pocket Navy in .36 are just easier to pack around.

2. You seem to have a small collection started. No collection is complete without a Navy Model.
 
Legionaire,

Sounds like you hav an excellent collection of Cap and Ball pistols. I would add a .36 CAL 1851 Navy, they are sleek and well balanced pistols that have a deserved reputation for accuracy. I think you'd enjoy it.
 
I get the field carry thing. Just picked up a nice cross draw holster for my 1858 Sheriff for just this purpose. Just seems like anything I might need/want to shoot would do better with a .44 caliber hole.

In the same vein, as a centerfire reloader I've pretty much standardized on the .44 and .357 mag cartridges for field carry, and were I starting over, I might not even include the .357. I can standardize on .44 components and still shoot everything from mild .44 specials to full house hunting loads. I'm more of a shooter than a collector, so the "every collection needs a (fill in the blank)" doesn't carry much weight with me. And relatively speaking, I can't see there's much of a significant savings shooting .36 over .44, given the relatively low cost (compared to center fires) of shooting either.

I'm enjoying the feedback, so keep it coming. The more practical the reasoning the better.
 
Me? I love a good 1851 Navy. Best natural pointing pistol I've ever had. However, it sounds to me that you've already talked yourself out of a .36 and would rather stay with the .44. I would not try to twist your arm and tell you to get a .36 if you really like the .44.... If you like the .44, then by all means go for it. This sport is all about what one likes and what works for them. That's why threre are so many different weapons available to us. Freedom of choice!

Wade
 
Legionnaire,
Unless I missed it, I think everyone left out one of the most obvious differences with the commonly available reproductions between .44s and .36 calibers. GRIP SIZE... If you are talking Colt's pattern revolvers or pistols that were copies like the Leech and Rigdon revolvers the .36 caliber "Navy" models have the smaller grips.

All of the Colt's pattern revolvers you currently have are large grips, the ROAs are larger and the Remington Pattern grip is just different feeling. You need at least one Colt's style Navy model to play around with the grip shape. Some people consider it the best Single Action grip shape ever and was more or less carried over to the SAA, all of the clones and now even the Ruger "New" Vaquero. I like bigger grips, and you may as well but you need to at least play around with the Navy size.

Sounds like as good of an excuse to try one as any...

~Mako
 
i need to get a good .36 sometime. i need something for squirrel hunting, and i figure a .36 should suit my needs just fine. i am really thinking i would never buy a brass .44 Colt, i have a brass framed Remmy in .44 caliber, but only because it is a stronger design with a one piece frame and a top strap. i would like to get a .36 caliber 51 Colt sheriff or something like that. i could shoot rabbit, squirrel, maybe even turkey (I'll have to ask a Fish and Game guy to make sure turkey is legal to shoot with that)
 
Makos, that's what I'm talking about; thanks. I'll see if I can find and handle a Colt Navy. Don't think I want to order one just to check out the feel.
 
I have two Peitta 1858 Remington in .36 cal, these are smooth as silk, I almost goofed and sold these, if you can find one you'll like it.
 
mykeal said:
Try an 1860 Army if you want to have the smaller grip in a .44.
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Mykeal,

First of all the "regular" 1860 Army grip is larger than the "Navy" size grips. But I believe his original question was why he needed anything in .36 caliber, the 1860 doesn't address that, it just introduces another grip size different than all of the other pistols he owns.

Regards,
Mako
 
My point was that IF a smaller grip size were the motivation for buying a .36, that desire can be satisfied by going to a different .44. There are other reasons for buying a .36.
 
i need to get a good .36 sometime. i need something for squirrel hunting, and i figure a .36 should suit my needs just fine. i am really thinking i would never buy a brass .44 Colt, i have a brass framed Remmy in .44 caliber, but only because it is a stronger design with a one piece frame and a top strap. i would like to get a .36 caliber 51 Colt sheriff or something like that. i could shoot rabbit, squirrel, maybe even turkey (I'll have to ask a Fish and Game guy to make sure turkey is legal to shoot with that)
Click to expand...

For squirrels, i'll stick with my Ruger Mk 2 with 2x optic, 1" groups at 50 yards. My .44 brass navy shoots about 4" at 25 with its 5.5" barrel and about 3" with the 7"er I bought for it off gunbroker. I down load it, no worries about stretching anytime soon. Even in .36, though, with the primitive sights, I'd not attempt to hunt squirrel with it. My Ruger Old Army will shoot about 1.5" off the bench at 25. That one would be capable of taking a squirrel. I'm anxiously awaiting a Pietta 5.5" Remington to play with, hoping it does better than the Navy. It's a steel framed gun on sale at Cabelas right now and on backorder. :banghead:
 
I have two Peitta 1858 Remington in .36 cal, these are smooth as silk, I almost goofed and sold these, if you can find one you'll like it.
Click to expand...
Is the .36 caliber a smaller frame? I like my .44 1858 Sheriff just fine.
 
because every respectable gun collection must contain at least one of every caliber available
 
the modest cap and ball collection now stands at two Uberti 1847 Walkers, two Uberti 1848 2nd Model Dragoons, one Pietta 1858 Remington Sheriff, and two stainless Ruger Old Armies
Click to expand...

You have a good start on the horse frame Colts, now it's time for some holster frame and pocket frame Colts, or about six more revolvers.
 
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