Recomendations, squirrel rifle.

[kopfjaeger]

Bought another .32 caliber squirrel rifle. I bought a Dixie Tennessee Squirrel Rifle ( flintlock ). Though not a custom rifle like my .32 caliber Southern Flintlock Rifle it shoots great. I had one of these rifles back in the 80's but sold it which was a mistake. I always wanted to get another one so after a long search I was contacted by Paul Bigham who said a buddy of his had one for sale. I called Paul's buddy and bought the rifle. When I got the rifle I couldn't believe the shape it was in, it looked like it just came out of the box. I won't make the mistake of selling it again.

 

[kaintuck]

32's and 36's make nice long thin rifles....southern rifles with plain iron funiture look really good haging on the wall too~especially if they are cherry stocked!

I say build yourself one....

 

[DLJ6]

It may take a long while but I am pondering trying my hand on a kit for a squirrel rifle. Small cal. as in less than .40 seem to be a bit hard to come by these days.

 

[Billnpatti]

I am not sure if you want to build a gun or buy one ready to go. If you want a ready to go gun, I think one of the T/C .32 Cherokee rifles would serve you well. T/C doesn't make them any more but they can be found for sale on the forum from time to time and on other gun websites. If you want to build from a kit, much would depend on your skill level and your pocketbook. Jim Chambers and TVM make high quality kits but you are going to be paying in the neighborhood of $1,000 for a kit. Chambers smallest bore is .40 and it is a special order. TVM has kits with bores down to .32. The parts are top of the line so you can end up with an heirloom quality rifle if you have the time and skill to finish it. For a good bit less money, you can buy from Sitting Fox http://www.sittingfoxmuzzleloaders...rrel Rifle/Tenn. Poor Boy Squirrel Rifle.htm. If you buy from them, I'd stick to kits. I have heard good and bad about their finished guns. It seems that they do not build the guns in house but farm them out to various builders of varying skill levels. Sometimes you will get a very nicely made rifle but other times, you may get one that was hastily made or made by a less skilled builder. it is a manure shoot. But, I have not heard anything bad about their kits. If you want to go with them, ask around before you buy. They are less expensive but they use Green Mountain barrels. I am not sure what to tell you about them since I have never bought a gun from them. I am just tossing the name out there for your consideration.

 

[JeffG]

I had my heart set on a 36 or 40 flinter long rifle. I then realized that in Wisconsin, it's not legal to hunt upland birds with a rifle; turkey season is longer now. On a bad squirrel day, the grouse, rabbits or turkeys might be nearby. I "settled" on a 54 caliber smoothbore on a Pennsylvania, iron mounted. It will be a kit from Sitting Fox. It also happens to be 28 gauge, so I will be ready for all manner of small game. And deer with round ball. It will likely take me till February to build her, but I think it'll be worth it.

 

[Vaino]

If'n I was getting a squirrel rifle it would be a .36 and if you're contemplating building a flinter parts set {kit}, a good choice would be an "A" weight swamped bbl X 42" lg. This size bbl would make a dandy LR w/ a decent sized wrist....built A Bucks County LR in .36 w/ that bbl and it's shown at TOW under Bucks County "kits". A L:ancaster style w/ the same bbl would be a little easier to make. Good luck w/ your quest......Fred

 

[user 13289]

... Barking means what it sounds. You shoot the tree limb under the squirrels head, so that a strip of bark it kicked up and smacks the squirrel under the chin, killing it by concussion, and knocking it out of the tree. As long as you make sure of your back ground and keep the powder charge low, you don't have to worry about your ball traveling half a mile and coming down on someone's head.

I'll be barking 'em with a 54 this year as it'll be the only one in service at the time. (40 is next on build list)