amount of powder

What would you recommend for the amount of powder for a 36 caliber rifle? I just have 50 caliber rifles.

Brian Sweeney said:

What would you recommend for the amount of powder for a 36 caliber rifle? I just have 50 caliber rifles.

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Not shooting any 36 caliber rifles right now, but I typically sight my 32s in at 25 yards to be an inch high (think chin hold on a squirrel) using 12 grains of 3F Swiss under a patched 1-1/2 buck. Find this load about an inch low at 50 yards.

If I were starting with a 36 caliber rifle, I would see how 20 grains or so work, and adjust from there until the gun got happy.

It's been a while since I loaded for a new caliber and don't have a 36. I usually start a little below the caliber and work up from there. With the 32 calibers, I began with 20 grains 3F. With the 45 it was 35 grains of 3F. In your case perhaps 30 grains would make sense to start.

I'm rather parsimonious with powder and I don't hunt anymore so I just go with the smallest load that gives good accuracy in that rifle.

Jeff

I've been using 25 grains of 3fg in my .32 caliber. A hot load for squirrels, but that load shoots accurately out of my rifle

My 36s shoot 20 Grains of Swiss or Ole Eynsford 3F very well. And I get equal accuracy with 25 Grains of Standard Goex 3F. I shoot them out to 50 yards with this load. My guns will still group well with charges up to 40 grains I just dont have a need for more velocity and am greedy when it comes to powder.

My .36 SMR does best with 30 grains of 3F and about the same using 20 grains.

I get excellent accuracy in my TC Seneca .36 with 40 grains of 3Fg WANO (scheutzen) powder

25-30 grns of fffg shoots well in my Hopkins Allen under hammer.36.

20-25 grns 3F is about all you need. 36's seem real friendly for the most part with this much powder. It's an easy caliber to load for.

I'd start off at 20 and go up in 5gr increments looking for accuracy and fouling control. Your load will be where it groups best with acceptable fouling. Guns vary, have fun experimenting.

The only way to know is to shoot groups off the bench. It is pointless to develop loads off hand. Try different patches lubes, balls and powder charges. Try to change one variable at a time. Make a temporary peep sight.

I found best accuracy of my Kibler 36 with more powder than suggested above.

I have noticed that generally, as I increase the charge groups change. The group will string vertically if the charge is too low. The group will tighten when it is right for that gun. IF you use too much it will enlarge the group but in no particular pattern. IF you use several targets, one for each charge, you can track the changes.