45 Cal. Small Game load

[TKhuntsman]

Well with fall rapidly approaching and grouse season starting in 2 weeks here in MT. I decided to put together a small game load just for grins. The gun in a custom built Kentucky style percussion in 45 caliber. The load I started with and ultimately settled on will be 35 grns. Of 3f Scheutzen, .445 round ball, and a .015 patch lubed with Mink Oil. First target is 25 yards I pulled my second shot right and stacked 1 and 3. Then the second target is 50 yards all 3 pretty solid. The target dots are 1" and so are the squares. I laddered up in 5 grain increments to 55 grns. But 35 was the best grouping light load. I have a full charge load of 65 grains that shoots roughly the exact same group size that I can hunt deer with if I choose. I honestly probably won't carry this rifle for big game this year because I have a 54 cal. Pedersoli Hawken that is shooting great.View attachment KIMG6406.JPGView attachment KIMG6407.JPG

 

[ETipp]

Good shooting. I think those grouse birds might be in trouble.

 

[Thingamajiggy]

Yep, looks like you are good to go. Good luck.

 

[Urban Coyote]

I've shot one grouse with a .45 caliber caplock, an incredibly luck shot. It was about 40 yards offhand and there was a .45 hole directly through the center of the birds head. I was using a deer load of 90 grains FFFG under a patched roundball, the grouse was a target of opportunity.

I have shot a whole bunch of western cottontails using the same rifle, a Ted Fellowes Beaver Lodge halfstock, shooting 45 grains FFFG under the same PRB. I used headshots only, easy to do the way these bunnies cast a frozen pose.

 

[mtfishn]

I've used 40 grains for years for small game including turkeys (legal in the fall in Montana). I find it shoots very close to the same point at 25 and 50yds. My rifle is set up to place the ball right at the top of the front sight with this load.