Flintlock for squirrel?

A fantastic idea. And one that I have played with in my mind as well.

I've been hooked on black powder shooting for about 30 years now. And all of my black powder rifles are flintlocks. But I am not one of the buck-skin wearing guys that is an expect on all things black powder. I am more of a 30 year novice that never got out of the novice stage.

I saw a few years back where Cabela's was selling some 32 caliber "squirrel rifles" - both in caplock and flintlock. I thought, 'I gots to get me one of dem dare flintlock guns for shootin bushy tailed tree rats.'...

But before I made my purchase, I asked some hardcore black powder shooters. The kind that take their flintlocks out on the opening day of the regular hunting season - when everyone else is carrying a 7mm mag. The ones that actually go bear hunting with a flintlock muzzle loader. This is what they told me...

The 32 caliber guns are a joy to shoot...for the first shot. Possibly the second shot. After that, you'd better have your cleaning equipment with you, because the black powder fouling on a long barreled 32 caliber rifle makes it nearly impossible to load after shot number 2.

A better bet would be to go with a 45 caliber rifle and simply use a reduced load with a patched round ball. This isn't my advice...but the advice of folks that know a whole lot more than me. Just sayin.

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RE:

Flintlock for squirrel?

I want to get a flintlock muzzleloader for squirrel hunting. Would one of the small .32 rifles be best or something like a 24 gauge Northwest gun loaded with birdshot be best? Where I hunt most of the shots are around 20 yards and on stationary squirrels.

Black Powder Squirrel Rifle

Black powder hunting small game is a challenge that many people enjoy.

Most of these people prefer to use a .32 caliber rifle, using a shotgun for taking squirrel just isn't very sporting.

Use a .32.

Never heard of flint locking for squirrels, deer I have heard, better be able to get your one shot!

Good luck and happy hunting!

Haha, its funny to see General Paton asking for squirrel hunting tips. A 24 gauge would be a good shotgun, but I wouldnt trust the spread of birdshot at 20 yards. Also I would check your local gun shop and see how often they have 24gauge in stock, its not something I see all the time. A 20 gauge is still pretty powerful of a squirrel so 24 might be good. I think the best thing for squirrel would be a .22lr or a 17hmr. Or if you have the money, and AR-15.

Well congratulations on a real 'sporting' option.

Just do remember that just because it's a smoke pole

the carrying distance factor doesn't disappear.

That .32 pill will carry well over a mile if you've got no backstop.

either way you wont have much meat left for the table.

Unless you have sizable squirrels.

I'd recomend the .32 because you can use it for bunny and groundhog and other critters.

not totally knowagable with sighting flintlocks- is it a smoothbore?

.24 is a strange gauge, i'm not familer with. you might have a hard time reloading or buying ammo.

I've shot .10,.12, .16,.20. ,28 and .410 but .24 is one I've never seen

Either one would work quite well, which one does your states laws let you use. Some states do not allow the rifle for squirrels.

Go for the .32 General, head shots are quite challenging. :)