Has anyone used a 36 caliber black powder replica pistol (Sold by Cabelas) for small game hunting? I would like to go afield with one of the replica Colt Army models, like the 1851 or 1861 Navy models. Are they accurate enough to take squirrels or rabbits out to 30-40 yards? I would like to know before I plunk down the cash.

My evil twin suggested carrying a 44 cal version for hog hunting here in Florida, but I think I would still rather use my 8mm Mauser. But, if I was hunting with my muzzleloader, it might be nice to keep a 44 cal handy in case of needing a second shot up close.

I use a .44 caliber F.L.Lippeta model 1858 revolver and have used it for small game. I bought the target model a number of years ago from Cabela's. With 25 grains of Goex 3f and a roundball this is very accurate. We snowshoe rabbit hunt with the revolver in the winter time. Put on snowshoes, and truck the marshes looking for bunnieswith the revolvers, makes hunting a whole new aspect to hunting. I am sure your .36 caliber is more then enough for rabbits and squirrels. Whether you would want to tackle something largers such as hogs is another thing.

As far as deciding between the two calibers, if there ever was a chance you wanted to hunt something larger then rabbits, the .44 caliber would be a better choice. They are accurate, and there is no recoil at all with the revolver. They are very nice to shoot. Our whole group was shooting mine the first weekend I got it. All the husbands and wives were blasting aways with it. The women actually did very well with revolver.

Just make sure you pull the cylinder between shootings and wipe all the parts of the revolverframe and wipe the cylinder down. Makes future reloadings easier.

I know that a snowshoe hare is a bit bigger than the standard bunnies we get around here, but I worry that there won't be anything left if I hit him with a 44 in the midsection.

I like hunting small game with a pistol. Challenge is all part of the game. I use a Ruger 22 pistol now with iron sights. But I always liked shooting BP more.

Chubber

Actually we shoot for the head, but if it does hit them in the mid section the ball does not usually expand. It does blow a hole mind you, but when we clean a snowshoe, all I take is the quarters anyway. What little is on the back and ribs is not worth the effort. If you do head shoot them then we will skin the whole bunny and crock pot them with vegetables...

I have a Navy Arms .36 replica that shoots pretty well. I had to put a taller front sight in it, but otherwise is box stock. Normally, I load the cylinder as full of Pyrodex P as it can be and still leave room for the round ball. Velocity is 770 fps. I took it along once while cross country skiing - shot a showshoe hare through the ribs. Worked pretty well and didn't destroy much meat.

i ordered a 1851 36calfrom cabelas this year with the plan to carry it behind my beagle hound this year when chasing bunnies this winter. i have had it out to the range twice and it is a very sweet gun to shoot. it groups well but my shotgroups are about 5" high and right at 20yrds. it would be nice to have some kind of adjustment on that. i will probably carry it with my 22rifle and use it in case i get overrun by rabbits.

is it possible to drift the sight or file down the front sight? Usually there is some manner in which you can get them adjusted reasonable...

I cut a .300 X 60 degree dovetail in the barrel, and installed a .125 wide front sight blank. The dovetail gives you the windage adjustment - and you shave down the top of the front sight until the point of impact is correct. Any decent gunsmith should be able to do this fora small charge.