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Thread: Rifle for prairie dogs and ground squirrels

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub
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    Rifle for prairie dogs and ground squirrels

    Is there a small caliber black powder rifle that can be used for prairie dogs and ground squirrels?

    I would prefer a cartridge rifle.
    Last edited by roscoe; 01-16-2019 at 06:47 PM.

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy Snow ninja's Avatar
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    Pedersoli makes a .32 caliber percussion.

    https://www.realtree.com/small-game-...-muzzleloaders
    Do the best you can, with what you've got, where you're at. -Theodore Roosevelt

  3. #3
    Boolit Bub
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    Quote Originally Posted by Snow ninja View Post
    Pedersoli makes a .32 caliber percussion.

    https://www.realtree.com/small-game-...-muzzleloaders
    Thanks for the information. I should have stated I prefer a cartridge rifle.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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  5. #5
    Banned
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    I have always wanted a Marlin 1894 in .25-20.

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master Good Cheer's Avatar
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    Larger boolits work when you aim at the rock next to them.

  7. #7
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    Kraschenbirn's Avatar
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    I've got Cimarron Low Wall in .32-20 (with Lee Shaver sights) that's easily good for 'minute of beer can' out to around 125-150 yds. Won't match my .243 (or even the .22 Hornet) but, at 50 yards or so using hollow-pointed 312008s, it nearly vaporizes brown rats.

    Bill
    Last edited by Kraschenbirn; 01-25-2019 at 02:58 PM.
    "I'm not often right but I've never been wrong."

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  8. #8
    Boolit Master



    skeettx's Avatar
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    Ruger #3 in 30-40 Krag is black powder capable.

    Should be good for 3 to 5 shots before it get fouled

    Mike

    p.s. maybe a single shot 30 caliber carbine loaded with black??

    Why use black ?
    If loading for a felon, the law has been changed and they can not have cartridges
    of any kind, only muzzle loaders.
    NRA Benefactor 2004 USAF RET 1971-95

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master
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    The .32/40 was one used a lot in the early days. It has a good reputation for accuracy.
    Don Verna


  10. #10
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    Chill Wills's Avatar
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    I would stay away from the 32-40 Ballard and BP loading. It is a very steep learning curve. Maybe even cure you from shooting BP completely.
    Chill Wills

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    I have an original No.3 Ballard in .25-25 Stevens. Since this is a cast action, I am only using "real" black powder (Swiss 3FG). Bullets are 100gr. from original Ideal moulds, cast 20-1 lead-tin alloy & lubed with SPG. These are seated with only last band in case mouth..first band touching rifling. I use an original Ideal nickel plated #3 tong tool for bullet seating. Sights are vernier tang rear & windage adjustable globe front...taking Ballard sight inserts. Using blow tube, I can hold all shots in 1" at 50yds. By wiping with 1 barely damp patch run thru after each shot..match accuracy of 3/8" 5 shot groups are to be had. I at first dreaded shooting black in such a small bore..but clean up takes only 3 patches wet with Butch's Black Powder solvent. This is a really fun gun! when the dbl. set trigger is pulled, target is hid behind dense white smoke..and deep throated report all out of proportion to caliber echos down range...yet recoil is not much different than a .22 rimfire.

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy
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    I was going to suggest the 32-40 but someone else beat me to it. It was very popular in the day for it's accuracy, which would be desirable for varmit shooting.

    dave

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    How about try with the 22 WCF. The BP predecessor to the 22 hornet.
    A Ruger No 3 Hornet I have would be one to try. With smokeless loads it
    has in the past been deadly on PDs.
    Indeed. Fouling control would be what its all about
    beltfed/arnie

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy Huvius's Avatar
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    I guess it would depend largely on what ranges you anticipate.
    Many of the English Rook rifles would work - I shoot 360 No.5 with black and paper patched boolits and it is a ball.
    A Martini Cadet in 310 or 32/20 may be worth looking into as well.

    In new rifles, a Low Wall in 32/20 or 38WCF which I have could be an option.
    100yd shots on prairie dogs or squirrels is doable with any of these.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    25-20 single shot. Not WCF repeater. Or if you want to go modern with brass you can buy, 25 Hornet.

  16. #16
    Boolit Bub Owen49's Avatar
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    Personally, given those parameters, I'd opt for a long-barreled .25-20.

  17. #17
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Do you want to use iron sights or a scope? A C Sharps Low wall or high wall on 32-40 or 38-55 should be useable

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
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    I really like my Stevens 44 1/2 in 25/20 single shot, remember that any cast boolit varmint gun is gonna ricochet on every shot.

  19. #19
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    .32-20 cases are readily available for cheap while .32-40 aren't.

    however, a henry s/s in .357mag should do quite well for bp loads and varmints.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master




    Boz330's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chill Wills View Post
    I would stay away from the 32-40 Ballard and BP loading. It is a very steep learning curve. Maybe even cure you from shooting BP completely.
    I tried an 8X58R in a roller and the fouling was horrendous. A duplex load might be a possibility if you can live with that but the guy who recommended the 357 might be on the right track.

    Bob
    GUNFIRE! The sound of Freedom!

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check