New 40 Cal

So about a month ago I was at a pawnshop and saw this Dixie Deluxe Cub rifle in 40 cal listed as like new with box, for half the price of a new one at DGW. I was looking at it and noticed there was not a mark on the frizzen. It did have a couple minor scuffs on the stock so I figured it was a wall hanger or safe queen someone inherited and pawned for a fast buck. It was in 40 cal so I was t exactly sure I wanted it because I thought would destroy squirrels, but after looking at it and thinking about it for a bit, I opened up my wallet and took it home. The first thing I noticed when I got it home was it still had the packing grease in the bore.

Once my mold arrived two days later,(thanks Amazon) I casted up a bunch of .395 dia balls and went to work. On my range. Being a 40 I started my load development at 50 yds figuring if I got it dialed in there the squirrel load at 25 should be about half that powder charge. 65 grains by weight not volume of Schuetzen 3F with a .012 patch on the .395 ball was hitting 5 shot groups consistently under 2 inches. A couple quick sight adjustments and I went to knocking the heck out of my 2” gong.

I cut the load to 35 grains by weight and moved up to 25 yds and without changing anything was hitting dead center bullseye and keeping 5 within 3/4 of an inch. So now she was ready for her maiden squirrel hunt. On her first day out she went 3 for 3 and the next Day I only saw one on my morning walk so it was then 4 for 4. The following morning I went for my morning walk and decided after making a head shot on one barking at me at about 35 yds giving the rifle a perfect 1000 batting average I would try and stretch its legs for even longer shots. After missing a couple I decided with 35 grains and a patched ball 35 yds was about the limit.

The first thing I noticed was with the 40 cal there is no question of a hit or a miss, as a hit at that low velocity jerks them off the limb and sends them sailing a few feet. They just don’t roll off the limb like they do with my 32. The second thing I noticed is that it doesn’t seem to tear them up any worse than my 36 cal does with light loads. As I am typing this I’m sitting in the woods and there are several squirrels just out of range but I have the little Cub laying across my lap waiting to see which one will fall victim to its near laser precision accuracy within its limits and that of my own.

Sounds like it was a great buy for you...and a shooter!

You done well , Sir. I'm a .40 fan from way back , once I discovered how well it performs. Doesn't vaporize tissue using normal squirrel loads , but kills or disables squirrels most anywhere hit. Also , no recoil. I have a bum shoulder , so recoil's important , to me. LOL

oldwoodchas. said:

You done well , Sir. I'm a .40 fan from way back , once I discovered how well it performs. Doesn't vaporize tissue using normal squirrel loads , but kills or disables squirrels most anywhere hit. Also , no recoil. I have a bum shoulder , so recoil's important , to me. LOL

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Oh I know all about a bum shoulder. A few years back I ended up with about a 3” triangular shaped piece of shell casing from an Iranian HM16 Hadid Mortar. Lost an inch of collar bone, and part of the humoral head. There is 36 pieces of surgical hardware holding it together. To say I’m a bit recoil sensitive is an understatement. I am so glad the State of Missouri allows 40’s for deer season. It use to be 44 cal or larger.