New Crocket .32 Squirrel Rifle

[ETipp]

Get a good hickory rod from TOTW and learn to use it properly (short strokes) and other than an occasional wipe down with an oily cloth to wipe off the gunk, no seasoning necessary. My .32 hickory ramrod is 50 years old and still going strong. Save the synthetic stuff for more modern guns IMHO.

I looked into some of those on some site, could have been TOTW. Where I have pause is where it states they are dried to a certain moisture content and it may bow after being shipped, or something along those lines. To be clear, I have owned several of the older ML and never had an issue with wooden ramrods. But one needs to use caution during certain applications. I'm pretty sure I replaced the wooden RR with a metallic rod on my New Englander. But that was due to the Maxis I was using at the time loaded very hard. And the last thing I needed when being way back up in the Boise mountains on an elk hunt was to put a broken RR through my hand.

However, you are correct. Just be cautious when using a wooden RR and one should be okay. I would like to have one for my Crocket Rifle for sure. So I'm not giving up just yet.

 

[French Colonial]

I looked into some of those on some site, could have been TOTW. Where I have pause is where it states they are dried to a certain moisture content and it may bow after being shipped, or something along those lines. To be clear, I have owned several of the older ML and never had an issue with wooden ramrods. But one needs to use caution during certain applications. I'm pretty sure I replaced the wooden RR with a metallic rod on my New Englander. But that was due to the Maxis I was using at the time loaded very hard. And the last thing I needed when being way back up in the Boise mountains on an elk hunt was to put a broken RR through my hand.

However, you are correct. Just be cautious when using a wooden RR and one should be okay. I would like to have one for my Crocket Rifle for sure. So I'm not giving up just yet.

I have never had a problem with a little bit of bow in a hickory ramrod, wood is not going to wear the barrel if it is clean and a small amount of bow holds the rod in the thimbles and keeps it from rattling around.

If it is bowed a lot, wood is easy enough to straighten (ask any bow maker) but I have never had any problems with TOTW rods.

 

[ETipp]

I have never had a problem with a little bit of bow in a hickory ramrod, wood is not going to wear the barrel if it is clean and a small amount of bow holds the rod in the thimbles and keeps it from rattling around.

If it is bowed a lot, wood is easy enough to straighten (ask any bow maker) but I have never had any problems with TOTW rods.

Thank you for the information. I reckon that if I go about it properly, I could make one myself. Plenty of hickory and some walnut trees in this neck of the woods. If it doesn't work out I always have the option of ordering one. For some reason I'm simply having a difficult time accepting a metallic RR on my crocket rifle.

 

[ETipp]

Good deal! do they have any more?
I've been looking for a while with NO luck.

Go to Deer Creek website and check. I saw one on another website as well but I don't remember which one. They go fast.

 

[azmntman]

I had a crockett. First outting I shot three shots at 25 yds. Was terribly disappointed that only one hit the paper (and 1" low right from the bull?). I decided it was likley in need of some serious cleanup and bore polish so I loaded it back up and shot the ROA. Now before leaving I decided I wanted to see the itty bitty prb and check the condition after shooting with 15 gr. Dug it out of the tree (three times!). Yep no clover leaf here. They shot literally in the same hole so close it looked like a single hole! The rifle did not fit me well, that I could over look. My issue (and the ONLY reason I sold) was the fact I had a terrible time with swipe and clean up. Never found a patch that would work well and not get stuck. I have seen several other folks complain about the same and a bit higher percentage say they had no issues. I do miss the lil ball, may see about a kibler .32 barrel for my .40 I still have not stained n browned! You will be amazed at the damage 10 gr 3f and a prb in the crocket does to a squirrel head, NO less than a .22 WRM.

Here's hoping you got a rifle like mine was where you can literally shoot the eye out of a tree rat! Keep us posted. (Just gotta love the guys that come round 3-4 times a year and declare the cheaper end bp rifles are junk huh?!)

 

[azmntman]

Oh ya, mine had the metal rod as well. Ordered a replacement from Cabelas they assured me was wood. Then I had two metal rods and just kept em. They were tight enough not to rattle in mine. Woulda loved a good hickory though!

 

[Ames]

I had a terrible time with swipe and clean up. Never found a patch that would work well and not get stuck.

Chuck your jag in a Kentucky lathe and shave a little brass off of it. That would give you some extra room for the cleaning patch.
I just did it for my new SMR 45. Worked like a dream.

 

[azmntman]

I learned those tricks too late. Brittsmoothie also informed me of my ignorance in selling my perdsersoli dlb 10GA. It was not well regulated and out the door it went (I move almost all guns out pretty qucik if not accurate and could not deal with the rt shooting low rt and the left shooting high left). Now per Britt I know I can take a file and get POI dialed in in a range trip or two. Got a nice 20 now though and my shoulder wont let me miss the 10GA much lol.

 

[azmntman]

Ames trick also is a must do on several barrels when following the dutch system (RIP Dutch) and swiping between shots, most cleaning jags just a tad too tight for a good in-n-out swipe.

 

[Ames]

I used to blame the bore, but now I'm convinced the tolerances on jags are the culprit.

 

[azmntman]

Agree. Brass tolerances in production likely not checked much during a run lol

 

[BP Addict]

There has to be some ramrod retaining springs down inside the stock. Its a snug fit. The thimble is too large so I'll probably try some black moleskin for starters.

Unlike other models where the spring is held in by the front lock bolt, this one is screwed into the stock.

Walt

 

[BP Addict]

Thanks. That sounds like a good option. Until all my other necessary stuff arrives I cannot load my Crocker Rifle, or even run a patch down it for that matter. I did, however, put the ramrod down the barrel and it darn near comes flush with the muzzle. If I decide to keep the metallic ramrod I would want to put an extension on the end of it some how.

I'd really like to have a .32 hardened and seasoned wooden ramrod but I have not located one yet.

I believe the reason they have a metal rod is that a wooden one that small in diameter would have more of a chance of breaking easily.

Walt

 

[BP Addict]

Go to Deer Creek website and check. I saw one on another website as well but I don't remember which one. They go fast.

They have them at the Gun Works in Springfield, Oregon.

https://www.thegunworks.com/custprodgun.cfm?ProductID=236&do=detail&Cat2Option=yes
Good Luck!

Walt

 

[BP Addict]

Looks like you got one of the best of the batch. While I am grateful for a company like Traditions still producing inexpensive side-lock muzzleloaders, the workmanship and customer service on the ones I've purchased have been lacking.

I've had a pistol where the barrel wasn't set all the way in the stock before it was pinned leaving a 1/8" gap between the nose cap and barrel.

I've had to go in and clean out shavings left from drilling the hole for the sear to engage the trigger.

I've had crooked trigger plates.

On my Crockett, I tried to remove what I thought was a cleanout screw and it broke off. They sent me a new one but because I didn't remove it and lube it before shooting the rifle (per instructions), it was not covered by the warranty. I have two of these rifles and that screw won't come out even if the gun is fresh out of the box!!! The Trigger Guard was stuck when I went to remove it. I put two fingers in the bow and pulled real hard. It snapped in two! This was last year and I'm still waiting to hear if they're going to give me a free one or pay $60+.

If the item is "New Old Stock" but is discontinued, the "Lifetime" Warranty is NIL!

I truly hope you have way better luck with yours than I did with mine.

Walt

 

[BP Addict]

This little gun seems to be based on an Ohio half-stock rifle. Although, I believe the Hawken Brothers made similar guns for the local area.

I have a Vincent on order in 40-caliber Percussion. This one was made by a master builder so I can't tell you where to get one like it. It was fairly spendy so I had to put it on lay-a-way. I should be able to have it in my hands in a few months. I'll post photos when it arrives.

Walt

 

[ETipp]

For you all that have a Traditions Crocket Rifle, will you please take a look at your rear sight and tell me if this one is on backwards. Sure looks like it to me.

 

[ORBushman]

Nope, as stated in the other thread, that is the correct facing direction. The indentation on the front of the sight is in the event of needing to make height filing adjustments. So I've been told in the past.

 

[ETipp]

Nope, as stated in the other thread, that is the correct facing direction. The indentation on the front of the sight is in the event of needing to make height filing adjustments. So I've been told in the past.

Weird but I will take it on faith.

 

[ETipp]

On another note. My cleaning kit arrived today. I didn’t have any cleaning patches so I cut my own. Pushed a patch down the barrel and it came out just slightly dirty from a thin coat of oil. No rust!