Crockett .32

[Boomerang]

I think I'm going to pick me up a 32 cal Crockett rifle for squirrel and economical plinking. The question I have is since it doesn't have a hooked breech, wouldn't removing the tang screw constantly for cleaning the barrel eventually strip out the wood? Or should I just leave the barrel in the stock for cleaning?

 

[Spikebuck]

Leave the barrel in the stock. I have both pinned barrels and hooked breech and while a hooked breech is handy, it's no issue at all to just leave the barrel in a gun to clean. Just try to keep any fouled water off the wood and immediately wipe any that might get there and you'll have no issues.

 

[Crewdawg445]

As Spikebuck mentioned, you shouldn't need to remove the barrel. Leave it secured and you'll be fine. However, use caution not to get any water down in between the barrel channel and stock areas as he also mentioned. Welcome and enjoy your rifle, fine little piece they are.

 

[BrownBear]

I go t'other way on mine. Since we're not talking bunches of recoil, I just never reef that screw down tight. I've been removing the barrel on mine for 10 years of busy shooting, zero issues.

 

[Shifty]

I have one of those ,great little rifle and you can take more than squirrels with it.I do like Brown Bear says take apart to clean and lube real good and just snug the screws back down.
I only use 10 grns of FFFg in mine for squirrels and target practice.
Also a good rifle to start someone out shooting MLs.

 

[azmntman]

I take mine off as well. 15 gr will do twice the damage of a .22 mag

 

[Grimord]

Another option would be to buy a flush nipple from TOW. I have been using one on my .32 Pedersoli Pennsylvania gun for years with no issues.

 

[hanshi]

I owned a Crockett for many good years and simply cleaned it like a pinned flintlock without removing the barrel. They are rugged and reliable and extremely accurate. They're really not that difficult to care for.

 

[Boomerang]

Thanks guys. I picked it up today. The fit and finish are really good. Alot better than I expected. I love the way it feels and points. I think the local squirrel population are already planning an escape route! LOL :rotf:

 

[Rat Trapper]

On a hooked breech why would you have to remove a screw? While I do not have a rifle like this all my hooked breech rifles only require knocking out the brass wedge key.

 

[Boomerang]

The Crockett doesn't have a hooked breech. The tang and breech are one piece. Even though it has a wedge, you still would have to remove the tang screw in order to remove the barrel.

 

[Boomerang]

Ok fellas I got a chance to shoot it some this morning. I bought a box of Hornady .310 balls and a box of .315 balls. I started out with .310 balls .015 pillow ticking and 20gr of 3f Goex. At 30 yds I was getting 2-1/2" to 3" groups at first. I kept playing arround some more and my best groups were about a 1" 7 shot cluster with 25gr of BP, a .315 RB and a .017 denim patch. So far I'm happy the way it is shooting. The only thing is that it's shooting about 4" high at 30yds. So I will have to get a taller front sight and file it down until it is point on.

 

[mancill]

I got one this year and is is a fine shooter.

 

[Boomerang]

Oh ya and one other thing I forgot to mention. The tang screw actually screws into the trigger plate and not the wood. So I don't need to worry about stripping out the wood if I take it apart to clean it.

 

[Boomerang]

Nice chootin' Mancill! :hatsoff:

 

[KansasSmokePole]

Nice shooting! However, in my opinion, 25 grains seems like quite abit for a 32. While safe, I think 15-18 grains would be more than adequate for taking small game at the same range.

 

[Boomerang]

Ya 25gr is kinda on the magnum side, but so far that is what is giving me the best groups. When I get more time, I'll have to experiment more.