Squirrel Hunting in PA caliber?

IS there a caliber limit in PA for small game?

Looking to build a squirrel gun. I thought the limit was 36 cal? Leaning towards 36 over 40 anyways though....

Current regs are that centerfire rifles and pistols must be under 23 caliber and muzzle loader rifles and pistols must be 40 cal and under.

However. PA has no rule or definition that would differentiate a smooth bore pistol from a shotgun if loaded with shot. Nor is there are such rule about a smooth rifle loaded with shot. Some of us have been trying to get the Game commission to draw some lines and they refuse to do so. What I can tell you is Commission's legal department apparently decided that the "Judge" pistol in 45 colt/410 is ok for small game when loaded with 410 shot shells. ie a shot gun when loade with shot shells and a pistol when loaded with 45 colt. There is no guarantee they would follow the same logic as to muzzle loader pistols. I have a 62 smooth bore percussion pistol. Does it become a shotgun if I load it with 20 ga wad and shot?

My personal preference would be to built a 36, but I know a 40 has a certain following. I under stand somebody is making a 38 cal muzzle loading barrel that will shoot patched .375 balls sold for cap and ball revolvers. That to me has some advantages over both a .36 and a .40. Just for ease of finding commercial swaged balls to shoot

If I'm not mistaken "00 buckshot" can be used in a 36 caliber muzzleloader...making it easy finding ammo!

Lead Shot, Sizes, Diameter And Weight:
#12 Lead Shot = .05" Diameter, Pellet Weight = .19 Grains.
#9 Lead Shot = .08" Diameter, Pellet Weight = .75 Grains.
#8 1/2 Lead Shot = .085" Diameter, Pellet Weight = .88 Grains.
#8 Lead Shot = .09" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 1.06 Grains.
#7 1/2 Lead Shot = .095" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 1.25 Grains.
#6 Lead Shot = .11" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 1.94 Grains.
#5 Lead Shot = .12" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 2.57 Grains.
#4 Lead Shot = .13" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 3.24 Grains.
#2 Lead Shot = .15" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 5.02 Grains.
BB Lead Shot = .18" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 8.75 Grains.
#4 Lead Buckshot = .24" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 20 Grains.
#3 Lead Buckshot = .25" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 25 Grains.
#2 Lead Buckshot = .27" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 30 Grains.
#1 Lead Buckshot = .30" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 40 Grains.
#0 Lead Buckshot = .32" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 50 Grains.
#00 Lead Buckshot = .33" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 61 Grains.
#000 Lead Buckshot = .36" Diameter, Pellet Weight = 71 Grains.

Lead Round Ball Bullet, Weights:
0.350" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 64 Grains.
0.375" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 79 Grains.
0.433" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 122 Grains.
0.440" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 128 Grains.
0.445" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 132 Grains.
0.451" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 138 Grains.
0.454" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 141 Grains.
0.457" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 143 Grains.
0.490" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 177 Grains.
0.495" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 182 Grains.
0.530" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 224 Grains.
0.535" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 230 Grains.
0.570" Diameter Lead Round Ball Weight = 278 Grains.

So "00 buckshot" can be used in a .36 caliber...Just need to find the right patch!

I did not say it say could not be used... You said If I am not mistaken and had came across that chart a few days ago and it had shot, buck shot, and round ball sizes and thought it might refresh your point... I don't really have any experience with 36 caliber.... Mine is limited to 45, 50, and 54 but have always had an interest in the 32/36 cal but its further down on my wish list...

No rifling is a smooth bore called in modern terms a shot gun.

Shape should mean squat.

No offense intended. ..I appreciate you posting those sizes!

I use 00 buck made by Hornady in my .36's. It is .350, which works fine in a .36 rifle. Be advised, this shot is not pure lead. It is some what harder than pure lead, but for plinking and small game hunting, you really don't need a ball that expands.

i just got done building a .36 cal underhammer for pa small game. cant wait to shoot it next wk

I just got done building a .36 cal underhammer for pa small game. cant wait to shoot it next wk

Click to expand...

Mein Gott! hotoSmile:

LD

No rifling is a smooth bore called in modern terms a shot gun. Well not exactly in this fantasy land. The Game Commission legal office has given the opinion, that a smooth bore muzzle loading pistol loaded with a single ball is a pistol, a rifled cartridge revolver loaded with 410 shells is a shotgun, a 12 ga semi auto with rifling firing a single projectile is a shotgun.