New to the forum and Muzzleloading

[Murphinator]

I'm from Harford County MD. I don't hunt anymore but I do shoot all kinds of muzzleloaders. I'd be happy to make some suggestions if you like. Fire away homey, I've been shooting for more then 50 years. Did all kinds of hunting, deer, water fowl, upland bird, ground hogs, squirrel, rabbit, you name it. (Nothing like Rhinos or Elephants though)
Neil

What was the main caliber you used for Deer hunting ? Secondly what rifle caliber would you recommend for Squirrel and Rabbit and what is a good caliber for a smoothbore folwer ? In terms of use on Turkeys.

 

[hectorintca]

Yes, .62 is the same as 20 ga. I have a rifled bore full stock Hawken flinter. It likes a .610 round ball and pillow ticking patch with 80 gr. Swiss 3fg. I just got through coning the barrel so I don't need a short starter any more.

Sir;
How did you go about getting a .62 rifled barrel? Sounds awsome.

 

[LSLibelo]

Welcome from California.

 

[david w]

Sir;
How did you go about getting a .62 rifled barrel? Sounds awsome.

Rice sells .62 caliber barrel. Their may be others, just haven't checked.

 

[Capnball]

What was the main caliber you used for Deer hunting ? Secondly what rifle caliber would you recommend for Squirrel and Rabbit and what is a good caliber for a smoothbore folwer ? In terms of use on Turkeys.

That's a big can of worms there. There's always some healthy debate on this forum that addresses just those questions. I used to hunt with modern guns. If I were to hunt with BP, I'd use a smaller caliber or even shot for squirrel or rabbit and shot exclusively for birds. .45 to .58 for deer but you really have to check you local hunting regulations regarding muzzleloader minimum and maximum calibers. Smoothie fowlers come in gauges and that's for shot. There are some smoothbores that can use either shot or ball. I'd go to the search feature and just ask one question at a time. "Loading smoothbore Fowler's" for example. Best caliber for squirrel? Then get a big cup of coffee and absorb whatever you're looking for.
Good luck

 

[Murphinator]

That's a big can of worms there. There's always some healthy debate on this forum that addresses just those questions. I used to hunt with modern guns. If I were to hunt with BP, I'd use a smaller caliber or even shot for squirrel or rabbit and shot exclusively for birds. .45 to .58 for deer but you really have to check you local hunting regulations regarding muzzleloader minimum and maximum calibers. Smoothie fowlers come in gauges and that's for shot. There are some smoothbores that can use either shot or ball. I'd go to the search feature and just ask one question at a time. "Loading smoothbore Fowler's" for example. Best caliber for squirrel? Then get a big cup of coffee and absorb whatever you're looking for.
Good luck

Thanks for the pointers

 

[Capnball]

Thanks for the pointers

My current dance partners are Pedersoli Kentucky flintlock rifle and pistol in .45, I also have an original 1862 .58 cal. Bridesberg I restored to working order. I also have an unmentionable muzzleloader in .50 cal

 

[Murphinator]

My current dance partners are Pedersoli Kentucky flintlock rifle and pistol in .45, I also have an original 1862 .58 cal. Bridesberg I restored to working order. I also have an unmentionable muzzleloader in .50 cal
View attachment 127886

Civil War era percussion rifles are always good looking. Definitely want an original Tower Enfield one of these days or a repro Whitworth Rifle with one of those Brass scopes that good from one end of the rifle to the other. But for now a simple flintlock will do me. Thanks for sharing the picture by the way, really cool stuff you got there.

 

[moose23]

Welcome from Beaver County PA