What distance should I zero a 32 cal squirrel rifle?

[stiles1410]

I took out the new crockett 32 this morning and at about started at about 35-40 yds. I was shooting pretty low and groups weren’t so good but I couldn’t see the brass front sight well in the sunlight as I was shooting into the sun. I’m thinking now that I should have started about 20-25 yds? I really don’t want to have to file on the sight but I’m afraid I might have to.

Also the cleaning patches I had for 32 cal were 1 3/4” and were really really tight so I stopped for today.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

2FG,
You are not giving us much info to help you, but all you asked for was yardage to zero. If you are hunting squirrels why don't you zero the distance you will be hunting them? If you want help with your zero, there are lots of seasoned men on this forum that can help you. We need more info: ball size, powder type, (black or pyro) your measured charge, patching, and lube for starters.
Don't mess with that front sight just yet!
Flintlocklar :wink:

 

[Boomerang]

I would sight it in for 25 yards. Most squirrels are around that distance or less if you put your hunting skills to use. Sighted in at 25 should be good out to close to 50 yards, but any wind at the longer distances will really blow that little ball off course.

 

[robinsroost]

My Crockett is sighted in 1" high at 25 yards, so a 6 o'clock hold is minute of squirrel head and a dead center hold at 50 yards. Keep yer powder dry...”¦”¦.robin :hmm:

 

[mooman76]

How far can you see to shoot, I assume squirrel? I'd go with what DD said. If it's a little high you can adjust Kentucky windage by dropping your aim a little but if you have to raise you aim, you cover your target and can't see it. 1" at 25 would probably get you right on at 50 or close. Practice at varying distances so you know where it hits.

 

[stiles1410]

I was shooting a .310 ball and I had .010 .015 and .018 pillow ticking patches.
I ordered a jag from track for a .32 but on the threaded end it flares to larger diameter almost as large as the barrel, larger than the cleaning rod. to a point I was worried about damaging the crown so I have a muzzle guard on the way.

 

[coloradoclyde]

25 yards......

The average tree height is 50 feet. If we assume the average shooting angle at a squirrel in a tree is 45 degrees, that gives us a distance of 23.3 yards.

Round it off to 25 and there's your answer.

I shoot all my squirrels in the head.

 

[BrownBear]

I sight my small game rifles at the usual distance I'll be shooting heads: i.e., 25 yards. Then I shoot it at closer and longer ranges to learn the POI there.

 

[Vaino]

25 yds worked for me on snowshoes and squirrels. .45 w/ 30 grs 3f and 99.9% were head hits ....wanted some meat to eat and 6 pcs of squirrel or rabbit was the rule......Fred

 

[stubshaft]

I sight my small game rifles at the usual distance I'll be shooting heads: i.e., 25 yards. Then I shoot it at closer and longer ranges to learn the POI there.

That's the ticket! :thumbsup:

 

[SDSmlf]

I’d first figure out your accuracy load(s) before touching sights. I am playing with a new 32 right now with 10, 20 and 30 grain loads just to understand groups at different distances out to 75 yards. Initial tests seem to indicate that things start falling apart past 50 yards. Believe I will settle on 20 and/or 30 grain loads (have fixed powder measures for both), but still need some more range time.

As an FYI, consider ordering some buckshot. I got an 8 pound container (nearly 1300 pieces) of 1-1/2 buck (.310 diameter) for about $40 from Ballistic Products (https://www.ballisticproducts.com/mobile/Super-Buck-Lead-1-1_2-8-lb_jar-310/productinfo/SBK15/). They are consistent and work great in my 32, although they are a bit harder than pure lead. And I am a diehard mold your own round balls from pure lead guy. Times they are changing.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Go to the woods and look about for squirrels.

How far are they?

Zero it at that distance.

 

[Grimord]

I also use this sight setting. A lolli-pop hold for 25 yards or less, and a dead on hold out to about 55 yards. If I were to take a shot at 75 Yards, my shooting at the range, on a calm day) indicates that I will hit about 1.5-1.75" low. I have never shot at a squirrel or rabbit farther than 50 Yards. I prefer to get closer for a sure shot.

 

[Sparkitoff]

I do not have a .32, but I do shoot a lot of squirrels. Sometimes between my sons and I we shoot a couple dozen a week. The rifle I use is sighted dead on at 34 yards precisely. That is because it is about 3.8" high at 25 yard and 5/8" low at 50 yards. 50 yards would be my maximum shot so I can be confident in a good hit from nearly point-blank out to 50 yards. Once you have a very accurate load, I suggest shooting at distances of 5 or 10 yards apart and seeing what zero distance best compliments a closer and further distance.

 

[robinsroost]

. 1" at 25 would probably get you right on at 50 or close. Practice at varying distances so you know where it hits.[/quote]
20 Grains OF 3FG OR 777 gave me a top of a 2" bull's eye target hits, with a dead center hold. Lowering my POA to a 6 o'clock hold gave me dead center hits. All without adjusting the sights. 75' is about as far as I would ever shoot at a squirrel. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. :hmm:

 

[Zonie]

These .32's can develop some really high muzzle velocities without using big powder loads.

The Lyman BLACK POWDER HANDBOOK says a powder load of 30 grains of 3Fg powder under a patched ball will develop a velocity of 1940 fps !

Unfortunately, that's the smallest powder load they show so I ran a linear regression calculation on their data and came up with a MV of around 1850 fps with a 20 grain, 3Fg powder load.

Using this velocity in the roundball velocity program I have on my computer and sitting the top of the front sight .7" above the center of the bore it says if I zero the point of aim at 25 yards, the ball will be hitting .2 low at 15 yards, .1 low at 20 yards, 0 at 25 yards, 0 at 30 yards, .1 low at 35 yards, .2 low at 40 yards, .4 low at 45 yards and .7 low at 50 yards.

Now, .7" is about 1/16" less than 3/4" so maybe a slight adjustment would need to be made for that distance but at that distance I'm not so sure I could even see a 3/4" difference with my aim.

I therefore pronounce sighting in at 25 yards to be fine for a .32 squirrel rifle. :grin:

 

[BrownBear]

I'm down to 10 grains of 3f in my 32's these days, trying to get the ball down into the realm of 22LR velocity. It's as big as a fully expanded 22 pill and even at 10 grains, flat raises cane with eating meat if your shot drops down out of the head even a little. Blood-shoot the whole front quarters with a neck shot.

Saying all that cuzz my rifles are super accurate even down at 10 grains, and the trajectory I'm seeing isn't that far off what you're citing. I never shoot them any further, but at 35 yards I doubt they're even half an inch low with a 25 yard sight-in.

If I was shooting further or doing a bit of varminting, of course I'd snort up the charge. But as it is, I get 700 shots from a pound of powder and 150 .310 balls from a pound of lead. Hard for me to beat those economics.

 

[George]

Can anyone give me the muzzle velocity of a .32 caliber rifle from Lyman or personal chronograph with 20-30 grains 3F?

Thanks

Spence

 

[mushka]

I've got some big pecan trees nearby and they stand about as high as where squirrels are hunted. Got the old range lazer out and it ended being about 16 to 17 yards distance to the top of the trees. A zero whether you use the six oclock or top of sight sight picture should be good with a 25 yard zero.

Personally I'm limited by my old eyes like a lot of others here.

 

[nhmoose]

Seeing [pun intended] a squirrel's head beyond 20 yards is not happening I sight any caliber at 20 yards for them.

My unmentionables with glass I use for further yardage when they are spooky but prefer the flinters