Recommendations on a small bore rifle

[Don H]

Looking for recommendations for a small bore percussion rifle for squirrel hunting and target shooting. So far the only new rifle I've found is the .32 Traditions Crockett. I like the Thompson Center Seneca or Cherokee but they seem to be hard to come by since they've been out of production for a while. I'm OK with used in good shape or new, kit gun or not.

Any suggestions?

 

[leverfred]

Pedersoli makes a frontier in 32 and one in 36. I has both and had no complaints. The 32 was very accurate in a flinter. I had a crockett 32 but the drop on the stock made it hard to line up the sights.

 

[bang]

I use to use a 45cal with 7.5-8 bird shot and 30-35 gn powder. Kept me from worrying where a ball went plus being 45cal was good for other game and plinking.

 

[hanshi]

I owned a Crockett for years. I hunted with it and shot it a lot. While I can't speak for other shooters experiences, my Crockett was capable of 3/4" for 5 shots at 44 yards. I found it to be a delightful little rifle and wish I'd never let it get away.

 

[user 31257]

I have Senecas in .36, Cherokees in .32 and .36 and a couple Crockett’s, I prefer shooting the Crockett. The drop in the Crockett stock is perfect for me, I have to mash my face down on a Cherokee to line up the sights. I also prefer the way the Crockett hangs with the longer, thinner barrel.

 

[Don H]

I have 2 T/C Hawken rifles in .50, they fit me well. I think I'd prefer a T/C Seneca or Cherokee but am open something else. I did find a Seneca barrel in .32 for sale but they wanted $400, a little steep I think.

 

[Grimord]

Pedersoli also makes the Kentucky rifle in .32 the Alamo rifle in .32, and the Pennsylvania in .32 For squirrel hunting you can't beat a .32 although I admit I sometimes pull out my old Penebaker (1842) .35 rifle.

 

[user 31257]

I have 2 T/C Hawken rifles in .50, they fit me well. I think I'd prefer a T/C Seneca or Cherokee but am open something else. I did find a Seneca barrel in .32 for sale but they wanted $400, a little steep I think.

$400 isn’t steep if it was a .32 and stamped “Seneca”. I think the only .32’s came out of the custom shop. Cherokees and Senecas in .45 sell for around $400 in good shape. .36 Senecas and .32 Cherokees in good shape closer to $600. .36 Cherokees are very uncommon and and I’d call .32 Senecas very rare.

 

[arcticap]

Looking for recommendations for a small bore percussion rifle for squirrel hunting and target shooting. So far the only new rifle I've found is the .32 Traditions Crockett. I like the Thompson Center Seneca or Cherokee but they seem to be hard to come by since they've been out of production for a while. I'm OK with used in good shape or new, kit gun or not.

Any suggestions?

There's the Dixe Cub .36 percussion rifle.
It comes either factory assembled or as a mostly completed kit.
It's a very accurate rifle.

 

[nkbj]

I'd probably shop around for a good enough rifle with a larger caliber neglected bore at a really low price and then have it relined or rebarreled to my own preferences, including an octagonal to round lighter weight contour. That way when I spent too much money I'd still be happy with my bargain.

 

[Shot deer]

I haven't had a Crockett, but from what I've heard, their ok, not perfect mind you, but OK.

 

[SDSmlf]

Small caliber, short range, got to go with a 32 as a first pick. Prefer flint for fun factor. Currently have a single 32, a Pedersoli ‘Frontier’ model I believe. Have two locks for it, a caplock and a flintlock. Have not shot the caplock, but the flint setup has proven to be very accurate out to to 30 yards, well under an inch with a 12 to 15 grain load of fff or ffff, although I just tried the ffff to see how it shot. Neither squirrel, golf or ping pong balls are safe inside of 30 yards. Typical Pedersoli quality issues (not a complaint, just an observation after owning half a dozen) poor inletting of lock mortise with wood interfering with lock function and a rough bore chamfer, but easily corrected. Had a longer barrel TC 32 (Seneca?) years ago, but long gone. Have a 45 caliber Cherokee and find it an easy shooting and accurate gun. As long as bore is in good shape, any of the smaller caliber guns are a good choice.

 

[Kansas Jake]

It is hard to beat a 32 inside of 25-30 yards. If you are target shooting to 50 yards and longer a 36 might carry a little better in a cross wind. I have a Traditions Deerhunter in 32 and it is fun along with being easy to carry.

 

[robinsroost]

[QUOTE="Don H, post:
Any suggestions?[/QUOTE]


I have a factory assembled Crockett. The fit and finish are excellent and I am well satisfied. With 20 grains of 3fg, it makes less noise than a .22lr and hits harder than a.22 mag. It is more accurate than I am. Keep yer powder dry........robin