.32 or .36 percussion rifle?

[Ontario Hawken]

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a .32 or .36 cal percussion rifle. I'll be using this for squirrels in the fall and snowshoe hares in the winter. Most shots will be 40 yards or less, but I might try it on coyotes and/or ground hogs if the opportunity presents itself.

Any suggestions or recommendations on a good quality .32? Bear in mind this will not be a wall hanger and will in use 25 plus times a year and will be carried in all conditions and subject to bumps, scratches, etc.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Ontario Hawken (aka Scott)

 

[robtattoo]

I guess it depends on your budget, but the 3 that spring immediately to mind are the Traditions Crockett, the TC Cherokee & the CVA Squirrel.

I have a Squirrel & it's a lovely little gun. Ridiculously accurate to 50yds & uses almost no powder. My general skwerl/bunny/target load is just 12gn of 3F
However, it's physically very small. LOP is dead on 13½" but it feels a lot shorter as it has very little drop in the comb. I find I really have to lower my head to the stock.

I have just bought a Crockett to relace the Squirrel, smply because it's physically a little bigger. Barrel's longer (32" rather than the CVA's 28), LOP is a little longer & there's a lot more drop in the stock. I'm told that it's equally accurate & uses very similar loads.

If I had a little extra free cash, I would've liked the Cherokee, but only because TC's guns are better quality than the other 2.

Like you, I carry my little .32 whenever it's legal to do so during small game seasons. I shot a bucketfull of skwerls & rabbits last year & 2 groundhogs with no worries whatsoever. For 'yotes I'd want to bump up my load (30gn seems just as accurate in MY gun) but I would have no qualms about using it at short ranges (sub 50yds)
In my mind, the .32 is just as versatile as the .36 It's gentler on the smallest game, but still carries enough whomp for bigger stuff. In most states you can't hunt deer with a .36 either & it strikes me as being overkill for skwerls & rabbit, so you wouldn't see any advantage (My opinion)

Both the CVA & Traditions can be had for under $300 & are great 'working' guns. The Thompson seems to hold around $150 more & is quite a bit prettier.

 

[BullRunBear]

Robtattoo,

Thanks for the comments on the CVA Squirrel gun. I recently picked up a couple of CVA rifle kits that had been sitting in someones basement for decades at a yard sale. One of them is the Squirrel, the other is a 50 caliber flintlock. Now I'm really looking forward to putting it together. Sounds like a fun little gun.

BTW, I got the kits for 10 bucks apiece. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good!

Jeff

 

[Ontario Hawken]

robtattoo

Thanks for the reply. I was unaware that T/C or CVA still made .32 cal percussion rifles. I’m going to have to do a little more homework!

I think I would prefer a smaller gun as I’m not all that tall and its easier to carry a short gun through prickly ash when stomping along on snowshoes. Shooting snowshoe hares with a .22 is getting too easy and just plain boring. And I want to get my young son into muzzleloading so a .32 is perfect.

I already have a T/C .50 cal hawken so I'm fine for deer, but it is a bit heavy and overkill for small game. Time to break open the piggy bank!

 

[Zonie]

For squirrels and rabbits a .32 will work great but if it were me I would want a .36 for coyotes.

 

[hanshi]

I like the .32 and own a Crockett which has taken it's share of squirrels. It's a trim, lightweight rifle and a delight to carry. A few years ago I had a .36 flint SMR built and it is now my favorite. It works better on larger critters and is just fine for bushytails (shoot for the head even with a .32). Both like the same load, 30 grains Goex 3f and both are very accurate.

 

[rabjr]

Boy I gotta tell ya, I'm used to shooting my .58 which gets the most use. But I decided on a small game gun and had a .36 cal built. I'm glad I went with the .36 over the .32 because dang the ball size makes it difficult for me to use, you seem to be all thumbs and I can't imagine what it would be like with a .32.

 

[gonpce]

I've had a .32 cherokee for years and really like it. Never owned a .36 and don't see the need for one. The .32 does everything I ask of it. It shoots well with 20 or 30 grains of powder.

 

[Ontario Hawken]

Thanks to all for their advice. Now my BIG problem is finding a .32 (or even a .36).

Canada is not really a grat place for blackpowder rifles, new or used (lots of modern in-lines, but not my style). So far the only .32 I can find is a Pedersoli from Shooters Choice in London, Ontario - and it is not cheap $640 Canadian ($611 USD). I know there are .32's on the used market but they are few and far between...

 

[paulvallandigham]

Most traditional MLing guns can be shipped to Canada without a problem. If they are flintlocks, they don't get much of a look by your customs people. If they are percussion, they may have to be registered, and shipped to you via a local dealer, however.

I recommend looking for a .36. They seem to be more common than the .32s.

 

[gearheart]

There is a guy in Flesherton that builds ML's. Maybe he could fix you up.

 

[gearheart]

Just checked and Dixie has a 32 perc in 15/16 for T/C replacement. Add a barrel is cheaper than add a gun.

 

[Ontario Hawken]

Thanks for the info. What is the name of the fellow in Flesherton?

I don't think Dixie will ship to Canada. I know there is a Green Mountain Barrel dealer in BC, but he never got back to me with prices for a .32 barrel for my Hawken.

Do you know of any other barrel reps in Canada that sell replacements for a T/C Hawken?

 

[DarenN]

Ontario Hawken;
could you post contact info for the B.C. barrel dealer? please?

Daren....

 

[Ontario Hawken]

Darren,.

Here is the info in the barrel dealer.

Jencon Bits of Pieces
#5B ”“ 7621 Vantage Way
Delta BC V4G 1A6
Canada
Tel/Fax: 604 946-6168 www.bitsofpieces.com

Cheers,

Scott

 

[Arkyhunter]

Where can I buy a CVA Squirrel Im not finding any online.

Thanks
Arkyhunter

 

[DarenN]

thank you Scott!
i had no idea that he dealt in BP stuff. the shop is only a couple miles from my house. i think i'll pay him a visit.

Daren.......

 

[Zonie]

CVA has not imported any sidelock rifle or pistol for several years.

Sometimes there will be one on one of the gun auction sites or at a gun show.
You might also find one at a pawn shop but that is kinda a 'luck of the draw' sort of thing.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

CVA Squirrel rifles come up on the auction web sites about once a month. A premium unfired one was recenly on Gun broker for about $350. Normally half that price.

If I ever find out the SOB that stole my CVA Squirrel gun, well,,,,,,, that's what mine shafts are for.

 

[Ontario Hawken]

Hi Daren,

Please let me know what you think of his shop. I was quoted $250 plus post and taxes for the barrel I want. VERY reasonable price considering it is $212.50 USD on the GM homepage.

If you do go to the GM barrels homepage be prepared to search what you are looking for. They have a lot of stuff but it is not organized very well on their site.

Scott