New 40 Cal

[Gilbert J Taylor]

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.

 

[Spikebuck]

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

 

[oldwoodchas.]

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