32 long vs. 22lr for squirrel

[marc257]

With the cost and availability issues of 22lr. I'm considering trying to find a .32 H&R levergun and loading cast 32longs for squirrel hunting. Anybody have any experience with this? Thanks.

[45 2.1]

There used to be several kinds of rifles such as that.... single shot 32 rimfires (basically the equivalent of the 32 Long CF). I have shot exactly one animal with an original 32 rim-fire and old smokeless 32 RF Long factory ammo. The result was a very dead opossum at 45 yards with one shot (which sounded kinda wimpy).... no fuss or muss with it's demise either, so I think your idea is good, just like everybody else who has done it.

[w5pv]

My dad used a fmj in a 30 cal carbine.They were deadly on the squirrels just punch a hole through them.A .32 with a hard cast and mild load should be just fine.

[chsparkman]

Sounds like a great idea. I'm trying something like it with my 30/30.

[w5pv]

Durn shame that you can shoot a center fire cheaper than a .22 lr i most cases.

[marc257]

Sounds like a great idea. I'm trying something like it with my 30/30.

Maybe I'll try the 30/30. It would be a lot easier to find a rifle.

[beezapilot]

For what it is worth, I read an article not that long ago on hunting squirrels with a .32 S&W. The article said that the optimal load for shooting up into the trees was a wadcutter. The author stated that the wadcutter would most certainly do the trick on the target, but went on to say that the wadcutter is a ballistically unstable round, so a miss would start to tumble and scrub off velocity faster than a round nose or something designed for range. Now, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. But as a huge fan of the .32's I did read that article with interest.

[Blammer]

I'd do it, of course this is the guy who shoots squirrels for the pot with 311284's out of his 30-06 at full house loads. :)

punches a nice neat 30 cal hole in them. :)

[Outpost75]

While the. 32 Long does not carry to greater distances than a .22 LR, heavier bullets at higher velocities, such as the. 32 H&R Mag. in full loads, are dangerous to great distances when fired above the horizontal. Check local laws. In many places, using a centerfire rifle for such shooting will get you charged with reckless use of a firearm. Keep bullet weight within 100 grains and velocities subsonic, in any case. Factory. 32 S&W Long is fine.

[KYCaster]

Better check with KDFWR before you do that..........http://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/Small-Game-and-Furbearer-Hunting-and-Trapping.aspx

Here's what it says:

LEGAL SMALL GAME EQUIPMENT

Hunting small game with slingshots is prohibited.

Hunters may ONLY use the following to take small game during the fall and winter seasons:

Rifles that shoot rimfire ammunition, or .22 caliber handguns.
Muzzle-loading or breechloading shotguns no larger than 10-gauge. Breech-loading shotguns must be plugged to hold a maximum of three shells (two in magazine and one in chamber).
Lead or non-toxic shot no larger than number 2.
Muzzleloading rifles.
Archery or crossbow equipment.
Pellets fired from .177, .20, .22 or .25 caliber air guns.
Dogs may be used to aid in the hunt.
Falconry.


Jerry

[Gibbs44]

A small caliber muzzleloader would be fun also.

[Dale53]

I hunted squirrel extensively over the years. My carefully considered choice became a modern Marlin Lever Action Rifle chambered in 25/20. I used my own cast bullets (Lyman 457420 - a flat nosed gas check bullet) ahead of 4.0 grs of Unique. It would (and will) regularly shoot within the smallbore target 10 ring at 50 yards, 4x scoped, off a bench. The "X" count is not high but ten ring accuracy is absolutely reliable.

There is no better tool for the job. However, the same rifle in 32/20 should do just as well. I have a Thompson Center Contender carbine in .32 H&R Magnum (with a custom SSK barrel) was built up for the express purpose as the O.P. asked about. It will do the job, just fine, but I lost the vision in my right eye just after the rifle was finished. So, it has never been tried on game.

As a matter of information, the .32 wadcutter in a revolver has been used by me (S&W Long velocity) with a full wadcutter on edible small game with excellent results (rabbit, snow shoe rabbit, and grouse). That should be just fine in any rifle (as I was intending to do with my TC Carbine).

Keep the velocity within limits (my 25/20 load was about 1200 fps). I always tried for head shots in a squirrel but sometimes they don't offer the head for a shot. Then, a body shot with an adequate caliber does fine work without excessive meat damage.

Ed Harris has some worthy comments on these small game rifles on The Cast Bullet Association Forum. He had one built on a break open shotgun action and has a high opinion of the efficacy of such a combination.

FWIW
Dale53

[L Ross]

I really like using the 25-20 wcf, the 32-20, and a 36 cal. flinter for squirrels, rabbits, and the occasional coon and possum. I only have chrono data for the 32-20. 4.2 gr of Unique with a Lee 100 gr RN gave me 934 fps. A case full of 3fg black with the same bullet gave me 1130 fps and three shots touching at 25 yards. I use a pull thru cleaner made from string trimmer nylon cord after every three BP shots in the field. The 25-20 and 32-20 do less damage to a squirrel's head that 22 l.r. hollow point but just drops 'em like a stone. The nasty wounds created by the 36 flinter with 20 to 25 gr. of 3fg are not photogenic. Often a good part of the head is actually missing.
Just to give you an idea of how effective the 32-20 is at only 934 fps, I rolled a big boar coon running across the oat stubble at 135 yards. I had to walk up and give it a finisher, but the fist shot on the run shattered the pelvis and exited the flank. The rifle is a Stevens Model 44 Ideal. I'm sure your can equal that velocity in a 32 Long with a rifle.
I never shoot up in trees at a silhouetted squirrel, I make sure there is a heavy limb, the trunk, or a hill in the background.

Duke

[mpbarry1]

"Rifles that shoot rimfire ammunition, or .22 caliber handguns."

I would work to change this stupid law. I'm sure they intended to reduce the possibility if a long range cartridge doing damage, but they would be better off limiting the velocity of the cartridge to say 1400 fps. I would be ticked that i couldn' use my 32-20!

[WILDEBILL308]

22 hornet can be loaded with cast bullets cheaper than buying 22 now days, I think their are more rifles around in 22 hornet.
Try this 45gr cast gas check 4.0 Unique = 1750 fps. Max 5.5 =2150 fps
50 gr with gc 4.0 Unique =1692 fps Max 5.5 = 2053
Just a thought.
Bill

[marc257]

Maybe we need to write our wildlife officials to get this regulation changed. A wealth of knowledge on this forum as usual.

[MT Gianni]

22 cal handguns leaves you a 222, 223, 22 Hornet or jet in a contender. Happy hunting.

[schuetzen]

I used to use a small frame Remington rolling block rifle (#2 action I think) that was originally a 32 rimfire that I converted to .32 S&W. With a cast swc boolit at 600 fps squirrels didn't stand a chance.
Sure wish I could get that little rifle back!

[19112TAP]

I my Marlin 32 H&R on squirrels all the time, I vary rarely hunt with a 22 lr any more. I also have a .36 cal muzzle I use often.

[quilbilly]

Aren't these called "rook rifles" too?

[Mk42gunner]

With what the quoted regs say, your only other choice for a cartridge rifle is one of the older rimfires; which will make you think fondly of scalper's prices for .22LR.

Whatever you use, it is not worth getting a ticket for.

Robert

[singleshot]

32 Long is wonderful for small furry critters. You should be able to find articles from Ed Harris, Skeeter Skelton, and Mike Venturino on just that topic.

[Southern Shooter]

This may be of interest.
http://castbullet.com/shooting/rb30.htm

[mpbarry1]

When laws don't make sense, work to change them! I love the last sentence... link above.

"And if you happen to know a commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, tell him to change the danged law so we can squirrel and rabbit hunt with low velocity Round Balls in our deer rifles. "

[w5pv]

Squirrels,rabbits and other small animals may be taken with anything from a stick to a deer rifle,Eastren turkey shot gun only.Deer.antilope and sheep center fire guns.All rimfire guns prohibited for taking deer antilopes and sheep.They are getting tighter laws all the time.Always figuring some way to restrict so they may get a fine and more cash.I did read where a convicted felon can hunt with a black powder gun manufactored before 1899 but I think it also said it had to be a muzzle loader.

[Larry Gibson]

I've used .32s (.32 S&WLs and .32 H&R mags out of several revolvers and also a Contender barrel for excellent accuracy and much better terminal effect on squirrels and rabbits that the typical .22LR out of comparable guns. I also use a lot of Speer and Hornady 98 & 90 gr WCs and the Hornady 90 gr SWC along with a whole lot of Lee TL314-90-SWCs out of my .30 and .31 cal rifles. I use 2.1 - 3.2 gr of Bullseye under those bullets, depending on case capacity, for excellent accuracy. Here is 10 shots at 50 yards out of my 7.62x39 Mini Mk X Mauser. At the price of .22LRs these last couple years this load, when I cast my own bullets, is less cost than .22LRs and better performance on small game.

Larry Gibson

93548

[mpbarry1]

Nice Larry! Too bad about that one flyer in the lower left. lol

[Djones]

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/duckwhackercmon/63FCD0E9-3785-45AC-BEA3-11A6C383A225-12342-0000014836E97C6C_zpsc0a09de7.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/duckwhackercmon/media/63FCD0E9-3785-45AC-BEA3-11A6C383A225-12342-0000014836E97C6C_zpsc0a09de7.jpg.html)

125 grain truncated cone BHN~12. 38 special case with around 3 grains of TrailBoss. I had my fun with my grandpas ol 16 ga A5 on the greys. so I decided to go after the dumb fox squirrels with the cast revolver.

[9.3X62AL]

Durn shame that you can shoot a center fire cheaper than a .22 lr i most cases.

Such is the world we occupy. The rain is poison, and sex is death, too--but we manage in spite of those challenges. I have done a whole lot of small game and varmint hunting with the 32 S&W Long and the 32 Magnum--and both do a SUPERB job on critters to the size of jackrabbit. DRT, with anything like a center-mass hit. The Long in a rifle or the Mag in a revolver (pretty close to one another) might work on coyotes, given better angles and good hits. These 32s REALLY put the 22 LR from rifles in the shade, whether fired from sideiron or long guns.

[pworley1]

22lr, 25wcf, 32wcf, 32 long, 310 greener, they are all fun to use. It didn't seem to matter to the squirrel.

[Larry Gibson]

Nice Larry! Too bad about that one flyer in the lower left. lol

Down and away......couldn't handle the pressure..........

Larry Gibson

[drinks]

A quick and easy .32 rf conversion is to just change a .32 rf to cf and then use .32 COLT cartridge, no reaming of a new chamber necessary, if you use .32 S&W/ Colt New Police, ( same thing, just different names). the chamber will need to be reamed.
Lee has a nice .312 , 100gr rf bullet that works well in my #4 RB converted to .32-20.
I have seen Stevens, RBs and some pumps in .32 rf , most were pretty high but an occasional decent buy shows up, I got my RB for $250, still a lot but it is some thing I wanted.
The ss rifles may need some rework on the action, most Stevens seem to need new hardened pins and in some cases, bushed or replaced action parts.
RBs usually just need a new hammer pin and a good lube on it.

[mikeym1a]

For years, my various .32's have been fed a diet of 90gr Lee TLSWC, herco, and a small pistol primer with an est MV of 920fps. Very accurate. At todays prices, .05/primer, .01 - .02/powder, .005/boolit. That's on a par with .22LR at present prices, and you get a 100% heaver boolit, 50% greater diameter, and a similar MV. If you are set up to reload the .32, then I would go that route. If you are hunting meat with this, I would suggest head shots for less damage. With the price and scarcity of .22'w here, I don't shoot them much. But I do want to make a little carbine for the .32 round. Cheers! :-D

[Dale53]

I have a couple of TC Contender frames and several barrels. My .221 Fireball works really well with the Lyman 224415 bullet ahead of 4.0 grs of Unique. It will shoot ½" groups at 50 yards off sandbags. That flat nose bullet is a far better killer than the standard .22 rimfire without the meat damage that the .22 rimfire hollow point (in a rifle, gives). I am not a fan of the .22 rimfire for edible small game. It works well with head shots but the standard round nose bullet does not do well on body shots and the hollow point tears them up too much with body shots.

The .22 rimfire can be improved with the old Hanned Precision die that allows you to file a flat on the .22 bullet. You can read about a more advanced tool on Paco Kelly's web site. I have both and they DO work:

http://www.pacotools.com/

However, I do prefer the centerfires in both rifles and pistols. I also have a custom SSK (J.D. Jones) barrel in the .30 carbine. It works very well when used witha 100 gr flat point bullet and a light charge of Unique for edible small game. When you load it with a 160-170 and gr spitzer with an appropriate charge of RL-7 it becomes one of the absolute best cartridges for Hunter Pistol you can buy.

I have successfully hunted edible small game with the revolver in .32 S&W Long, the .38 Special, .44 Special, and .45 ACP. Surprisingly, the large centerfires work extremely well. I like wadcutters especially well but have also used 250 gr Keiths in the .44 Special to good effect. If you choose your shot carefully, there is little meat damage (head shots if close and "through the slats" if it is a 25 yard shot.

FWIW
Dale53

[WilliamDahl]

Do you have any single shot rifles? I'm thinking that you could make a small load shotshell out of pretty much any caliber in a single shot if you desired. The only question would be whether the twist of the rifling opened up your pattern too much at the distance you are shooting. At very worst with a bottleneck cartridge, you could just put a cardboard wad on the end of the cartridge and then pour some lead shot down the barrel and cap it off with either another wad shoved down the muzzle or a wax wad.

[WilliamDahl]

Squirrels,rabbits and other small animals may be taken with anything from a stick to a deer rifle,Eastren turkey shot gun only.Deer.antilope and sheep center fire guns.All rimfire guns prohibited for taking deer antilopes and sheep.They are getting tighter laws all the time.Always figuring some way to restrict so they may get a fine and more cash.I did read where a convicted felon can hunt with a black powder gun manufactored before 1899 but I think it also said it had to be a muzzle loader.

Last I read, here in TX, doves can only be taken with a shotgun. I've taken a LOT with just a .177 air rifle (they were sitting on the power line behind my house).

[cstrickland]

22 hornet can be loaded with cast bullets cheaper than buying 22 now days, I think their are more rifles around in 22 hornet.
Try this 45gr cast gas check 4.0 Unique = 1750 fps. Max 5.5 =2150 fps
50 gr with gc 4.0 Unique =1692 fps Max 5.5 = 2053
Just a thought.
Bill

Bill, I had almost the exact same thought, but I was thinking 223 in a contender.

People look at me funny and with disbelief when I state I can load cast 223 for less than 22lr.

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

I liked the idea , looked over the hunting regs looks like as long as I am not using it in a shotgun only zone during deer season I am fine, last night I was running some numbers through hornady ballistics calculator and I ran the numbers on a 47gr round ball and 90 gr swc , i found the 90 gr swc ended in the dirt at nearly the same distance as the round ball

I was looking for a mold for a round ball , but found the 90 gr swc to be in stock and I could add to my other order so on it's way is a tl314-90swc

I have already been loading the c309-170rf without a gas check , the mold will save more lead and make some nice little 25-50 yard small game bullets

and it may find it's way into a 32 S&W some day if i buy some dies

[44man]

Long ago in Ohio I built a .36 cal flintlock. Shot a ton of fox squirrels, even way up in trees. Most head shots because of the accuracy.
I sure like the idea of a .32 or the 25-20 for them.
Now we have gray's and they are never still, shot a bunch with the .22 pistol but it is much harder then fox squirrels. I miss the fox squirrels we had.

[9.3X62AL]

I am a bit leery of sending bullets out in absence of a good safe background for them to impact into. We don't have tree squirrel seasons where I live(d), and I used a 28 gauge shotgun and #9 pellets on tree rats in Michigan when I hunted there. I will take out crows that are sitting in yucca plants or Joshua trees that have only sky in their background, but the areas I do this are open and EMPTY, and the upward angles are VERY shallow--no more than 5 degrees, and often less.

A safer option might be the roundballs in the 32-20 levergun for this crow disassembly. Goodness knows, a 22-250 spreads 'em out right comprehensively, and the 223 is about as effective. But the ranging ability of those uber-fast spitzers does prey upon my mind just a bit.....I make more than certain that NO ONE or NO THING I'm not willing to see be destroyed is downrange at such times. A slower-moving roundball would greatly shorten the "danger space", I'm sure.