Groundhog Rifle?

Looking for something on the smaller side for small game and summer groundhog hunting. I was considering a .32 or .36 squirrel rifle, but appears that production rifles are scarce. Also, I prefer something that is full-stocked.

What are my options?

If your NOT locked into a full stock, the Traditions 32 caliber is a nice choice. Its a hawken style, reasonably priced production rifle. Very accurate and fun to shoot. I’ve had mine for a few years now and love it. I’ve heard that the wood to metal fit on some can be a little off but other than that no issues.
I live about an hour drive from their store in Ct. so I drove there and hand picked one out! Very nice.
Hope this helps. Art

Nothing wrong with a 45 caliber Round ball for what you seek.

Hi,
I had a Thompson Center .36 and it was totally evil on ground hogs to seventy five yards.
That soft round ball would turn them inside out.
They were lucky at one hundred yards, the wind made it difficult at farther distances.
I also had a .45 Thompson Center that shot a hollow based minie bullet very well. I still have the bullet mould for that, which I use in my .45 longrifle for target shooting.That would punch a neat small hole in them, and stop them in their tracks.
That same .45 minie bullet was tough medicine on raccoons.
There are still a lot of options available to you, but you have to look for them.
Fred

Looks like Dixie has a .32 Pedersoli Kentucky Rifle in their inventory.

Pedersoli's Frontier/Blueridge series is a full stock available in .36. Also keep an eye on the gun auction sites that have a muzzle loading section, bargains often show up. Keep in mind a .36 uses a .350" ball, generally. Took some figuring out many years ago with my first H&A Minuteman! :wink: :haha:

45 is not legal for small game in PA. I have shot many with my .32 flint, the longest at 97 yards and several in the 70-80 yard range. plenty of power for woodchucks. I built a '36 for chucks, why I don't know, but haven't used it yet. currently working on another .32 for myself, again i'm not sure why? I guess because I need something to do in the winter!

what part of PA you in?

blackpowder62 said:

=
what part of PA you in?

Click to expand...

I'm in the Lebanon/Berks area.

Thanks for all the replies!

.36 with the right twist would let you shoot round ball as well as the multitude of commonly available " .38 " caliber molds.

Jim Kibler, makes a nice small caliber kit. Not your ordinary kit. I've seen a novice complete it, in fairly short time. The rifle is CNC machined to close tolerances and that makes it very close to finished. The barrel, lock, and trigger are top quality. The barrel is swamped, which is great for field use.

I have a custom built, but I am considering the Kibler, after seeing a couple of my friends, build one. I wouldn't call it building, more like assembling it.

Just another option.

Also you should be able to find a good selection at Dixon's, in Kempton PA. Great place, to shop, if anyone is near there. If I lived a little closer, I'd be broke.

no caliber restriction in PA. for groundhogs

With no caliber restrictions in PA for chucks, I think, , may I suggest a 45? A full stocked flint 45 for prb. You can use it for deer in your flint only season, but you can powder it down for chucks and rabbits.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it looks like you could get the best of both from one gun. I'm doing it with my SMR 45 up here this year. Deer in the fall, snowshoe hare and fox till spring. Same gun. :thumbsup:

In spite of the fact that he says he wants a small-caliber percussion rifle, here is a suggestion to get a .45 flintlock. Makes you wonder.

Let's give the OP a little credit here for stating his own preferences.

My suggestion would in a production rifle would be the Pedersoli/Blue ridge in .32. Mine shoots well and will do the job on out to 75 yards or more.

Gene L said:

Let's give the OP a little credit here for stating his own preferences.

Click to expand...

If folks knew what they wanted, they wouldn't ask others for opinions....

I would get a .45 or at least a .40

again, in our goofy state a .45 would be alright for deer and woodchucks, but not small game and the.40 would be good for woodchucks and small game but not for deer.

That's you. I would point out he was asking for opinions on the Percussion board for a groundhog rifle. Actually, upon re-reading, he wasn't asking for opinions, he was asking for options.

What can you say to validate your choice of a .40 or 45 that trumps his desire for a smaller caliber? Do you really need a .45 caliber to kill a groundhog? Certainly not for squirrels or rabbits.

It's kinda like going to a fruit stand and telling the guy you want a cantaloupe and him telling you, "No, You need a watermelon."

+1 on the Jim Kibler kit.

You owe it to yourself to do a kit. Most everyone here does it and it's the main source of enjoyment of the hobby for many. Don't take the lazy way out and buy a pre-made rifle. Make it yourself and earn it yourself!

Kiers are flint only I think?

Yes, Kibler kits are Flint only.

If your choice ends up being a .36 caliber rifle, one option for a good bullet with poop in a .36 rifle, is using a hollow based .38 wad cutter bullet in your .36.
Very accurate, BUT you "MUST" swab between each shot.
A 140 grain flat nosed .38 cal. bullet at 2000 feet per second is awesome.
You must use a card over the powder for best results.
That bullet will still perform out to 100 yds.
All the best!
Fred