Light Load

[HEAD0001]

I was hoping to do a little squirrel hunting with my MZ this coming year. I have been looking around for a 32 caliber rifle, but I have not ran across anything left handed(that I can afford). So I was thinking about hunting with my Lyman DeerStalker in 50 caliber(flintlock). Has anyone down loaded a 50 caliber for this purpose?? I am not new to down loading. I do a good bit of it in my 45-70 and 45 Colt rifle. But I have never done it with an MZ. Anyone have any good loads I should try?? Ball or bullet?? Or is it just a bad idea?? Tom.

[cayugad]

I have shot squirrel with 50 grains of powder and a roundball out of my scoped Knight Wolverine. Works real good. Just remember that if your shooting up into the air, that ball will be flying a good distance.

[nchawkeye]

It works just fine...My deer load for my .54 flinter is 80grs, my squirrel load is 50 grains, just take head shots...

My dedicated small game rifle is a .40 flinter loaded with 25grs of FFF, head shots are still used...

[falcon]

I often hunt squirrel and rabbit with my .50 caliber inlines using 70 grains of powder and a .430 240 grain XTP bullet. It limits one to head shots but it works well for me. Have also killed hogs with that load while small game hunting.

[Semisane]

Fifty grains of FFFg in my .54 Great Plains is head-shot-accurate. Check your trajectory at various squirrel ranges and you're good to go.