The only time I have any concern whatsoever about sending a .310 round ball up into the trees while shooting at squirrels is if there is a home or road nearby. Other than that, unless I know someone is out and about in very close proximity, it bothers me not. In short, I'm not about to pull the trigger if I know someone may be in danger.
When ballistically compared, the RB is nowhere near that of a .22 or .22 Mag, even when speeds are the same at the muzzle. By basic design, the round ball looses its velocity/ momentum much, much faster. 20.0 grains of 3F will most of the time be sufficient enough to produce a pass through at normal squirrel hunting distances. But not always. In the image below, the .310 RB was dug out of a squirrel that I shot from only about 15 yards at most. The charge was 20.0 grains of 3F. This was not the first squirrel I have shot with the same type load and RB that did not penetrate fully.
Now consider how distorted the ball is. Even if it had been a complete pass through, how far do you think that RB would have made it? And even if it did, what are the chances it still had enough energy remaining to do harm to someone?
And then we have the very high possibility that the RB is going to hit something else after passing through a squirrel. The tree trunk, tree limb, leaves, another tree limb or tree trunk, etc.
Indeed, we must do our best to ascertain we never hit anyone with whatever projectile we are shooting. However, some basic common sense must be applied as well.
If one is overly concerned about possibly injuring someone when hunting with a RB and shooting up into the trees, then either find a more secluded location to hunt or use a scatter gun. But remember, it is legal to hunt squirrels with a .22 or .22 Mag. Both of which will travel faster and farther downrange than a .32 caliber or .36 caliber RB.
After much actual squirrel hunting and testing with all kinds of squirrel tools over the years, it is to my belief that doing so with a .32 caliber muzzleloader is a close up and personal situation. Regardless of how well one may think they are, or how tight of groups they may shoot from a bench on paper, the real McCoy often gives us a dose of reality. Considering most folks do not equip their .32 caliber muzzleloaders with a a scope, then the idea of getting close has more meaning yet.
When ballistically compared, the RB is nowhere near that of a .22 or .22 Mag, even when speeds are the same at the muzzle. By basic design, the round ball looses its velocity/ momentum much, much faster. 20.0 grains of 3F will most of the time be sufficient enough to produce a pass through at normal squirrel hunting distances. But not always. In the image below, the .310 RB was dug out of a squirrel that I shot from only about 15 yards at most. The charge was 20.0 grains of 3F. This was not the first squirrel I have shot with the same type load and RB that did not penetrate fully.
Now consider how distorted the ball is. Even if it had been a complete pass through, how far do you think that RB would have made it? And even if it did, what are the chances it still had enough energy remaining to do harm to someone?
And then we have the very high possibility that the RB is going to hit something else after passing through a squirrel. The tree trunk, tree limb, leaves, another tree limb or tree trunk, etc.
Indeed, we must do our best to ascertain we never hit anyone with whatever projectile we are shooting. However, some basic common sense must be applied as well.
If one is overly concerned about possibly injuring someone when hunting with a RB and shooting up into the trees, then either find a more secluded location to hunt or use a scatter gun. But remember, it is legal to hunt squirrels with a .22 or .22 Mag. Both of which will travel faster and farther downrange than a .32 caliber or .36 caliber RB.
After much actual squirrel hunting and testing with all kinds of squirrel tools over the years, it is to my belief that doing so with a .32 caliber muzzleloader is a close up and personal situation. Regardless of how well one may think they are, or how tight of groups they may shoot from a bench on paper, the real McCoy often gives us a dose of reality. Considering most folks do not equip their .32 caliber muzzleloaders with a a scope, then the idea of getting close has more meaning yet.
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