Found a Smallbore

[SgtSchutzen]

For awhile now I`ve had my eyes peeled for a smallbore rifle. Funds are kinda tight, so I`ve been looking on the used racks for something worth buying.
I learned one thing right off. A used muzzleloader with a decent bore is hard to find.
Anyway the other day I found this little .32cal CVA. I never even knew CVA ever made a smallbore. It says "SQUIRREL" on the barrel so that must be what they called this model.
Best part is the bore looks like it`s never been fired. It`s obviously a kit gun that somebody tried to "customize" with different sights. They don`t even fit the barrel :shake: . It`s got a few other issues too. The blueing job is pretty bad, and someone did a pretty sloppy job soldering the front ramrod pipe to the rib.
I only paid $90 bucks though so I`m happy with it. the lock and triggers seem to work perfect.

Here`s some pics.

Here`s the "customized" sights and the ramrod pipe. You can also see the blueings not the best.

I plan on refinishing the whole rifle as I don`t care for the blond stock much either. The front sight will only take me a few minutes with a file to make it fit the barrel. I already have a rear sight that should fit.
I`m excited to see how it shoots, then I`ll take it apart and refinish it.
Any of you folks have one of these rifles? Are they good shooters?

 

[musketman]

The .32 are fun to shoot and very economical to boot, you get 148 balls to the pound of lead and a pound of powder can last up to 300 shots or more, depending on the charge...

Another added bonus is that you can carry the gun all day and not even break a sweat, it is so light...

 

[cowpoke1955]

Those CVA Squirrel rifles are hard to come by. Great find and even a better price :thumbsup: .

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I think you did pretty well for yourself. You may find that you like those sights too. That stock looks like European beechwood and is very strong--it was often chosen for military gunstocks in the past. I'm not sure how well it takes stain though.

 

[SgtSchutzen]

I already changed the rear sight. It doesn`t show in the pic, but somebody filed the notch in that buckhorn almost 1/8" deep. It`s all screwed up :cursing: . I had a rear sight from a traditions trapper pistol in my parts box that fit the dovetail. It is even screw adjustable for elevation. Looks really nice on the rifle too.

 

[bingo1952]

I've had one in flint since '84. They are very good shooters for the money. They will also use "0" buckshot just fine as a projectile. Mine likes 20 grains of 3F, a .015 patch, and one of the "0" buckshot. I found the comb to be a little to tall for comfortable aiming so I lowered it by 3/8". I have taken a lot of bushytails with it over the years. The beech stock will take stain just fine. Here's a pic of mine.

 

[Rogue River]

Thats a good price, you don't see them very often.I just picked up an unfired CVA squirrel barrel and it cost me $80.00 plus shipping just for the barrel.

 

[boar]

As my buddy would say, You done well. I paid 115.00 for mine at flea market, one of my better buys. Its a real shooter. I shot 20grs 3ff .311 ball,ticking patch lubed with deer tallow. My grandson loves it. Won two turkeys with it. That wood does good with Birchwood Casey Colonial Maple stain. I have used it on four guns. Then put tru-oil on. Dilly

 

[Pork Chop]

They will also use "0" buckshot just fine as a projectile. Mine likes 20 grains of 3F, a .015 patch, and one of the "0" buckshot.

Is that a tough load to start? The 0 buckshot on Track is listed as .320 in diameter. Seems like a bit oversize. How does the 1 buckshot work? It is .300 according to Track.

 

[Pork Chop]

darned computer - repeating itself so I had to wipe the duplicate post out...

 

[silverfox]

Sgt. All I will say is you are going to love it. Fun little guns. Had one traded it and now am looking for another one.
Fox :thumbsup:
Good trade though.

 

[Padre]

Great little rifles, and very accurate. Mine would put 3 balls into one ragged hole at 25 yards; that's plenty good enough!

Padre :thumbsup:

 

[bingo1952]

I just went out and looked at the bag and it is #1 buckshot. :shake:
"0" is .32 on the OD. I bought 25 lbs of it probably 15 years ago and still have almost half of it left.

 

[SgtSchutzen]

I think it`s going to be alot of fun to shoot. It`s tiny compared to my other rifles, featherlite too :thumbsup: .
I hope to try it out Saturday. I`ve got some .310 balls, and .015 patches. I`ll probably start with 20grs fffg and see how she does.
Just realized today I`m gonna need a new short starter cause the one I have won`t fit in the bore. :haha:

 

[bingo1952]

They didn't call them a "Pea Shooter" for no reason. Have fun. :thumbsup:

 

[bwhoffman]

I like the heck out of mine!
Picked it up early last summer, came with two barrels.... .32 and .45, both marked "Squirrel".
CVA sold them like that for a short period. I'm told that was a hard combo to find.

20 to 25 gr and a .311 home cast with .015 patch pleases me!

 

[Lonegun1894]

Have one also. Everything that has been said is true. They're great little guns. So accurate it's scary, very reliable, and very light. Only down side with mine, it has me wanting to build a small caliber flint lock rifle next...

 

[boar]

My buddy had one .45, a kit gun. They did sell both. Also they have a better lock then the Kentucky. Dilly

 

[kwildey]

I love my .32!! Have fun with it!

I see your on the other coast. If you get over near Muskegon in July, stop by White River Muzzleloaders for the small bore woodswalk and annual Rendezvous.