Squirrel Rifle

[EMTJER]

@Jack Barnes , Don't mean to keep flogging a dead horse, but to reiterate what @Johnny Too-Tall said above, if you can save up enough to get the Kibler (or any other quality American kit, for that matter - Chambers, Caywood, etc) and can successfully complete it*, you can have a squirrel rifle worth more than your investment. Don't count on that with the Italian and Spanish guns. I'm retired and have to watch the dollars, but sell things, trade around, etc to fund my hobby. So far, discounting labor, its a zero sum gain, which is all I ask.

I resisted for a long time myself, but have to admit Jim Kibler hit a home run with the little SMR. If there is squirrel rifle perfection, this is getting close to it. (I can't believe I just said that - I'm a pathological perfectionist detail person, and basically cant be pleased - NOTHING's perfect LOL).

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* A big caveat, and a plus for the Kiblers, as they require less skill to complete.

I am fairly new to black powder with just having acquired a CVA Mountain Stalker and CVA Wolf both in 50 calibers. My question is what caliber is the “squirrel rifles” you all have been mentioning?

 

[yellowhammer]

I am fairly new to black powder with just having acquired a CVA Mountain Stalker and CVA Wolf both in 50 calibers. My question is what caliber is the “squirrel rifles” you all have been mentioning?

Search and you'll find many threads on it in here.

Our good friend and resident expert on the subject, @ETipp , authored an excellent book on the subject: [ LINK ]

 

[Ditt44]

I am fairly new to black powder with just having acquired a CVA Mountain Stalker and CVA Wolf both in 50 calibers. My question is what caliber is the “squirrel rifles” you all have been mentioning?

. 32 or .36 generally and some nuts like .40 but much depends on your states regulations for small game. You should be fine with any of those in most places. ETipp has a fine .32 posted in the "for sale" sub forum...

 

[nhmoose]

After having a blast hunting deer all weekend with my 50 cal flintlock, I've decided I need to extend the fun and invest in a squirrel rifle! I just need help deciding between 2 rifles. I would love a Kibler, just don't have the extra funds right now with newborn twins. The rifles I'm deciding between:

https://muzzle-loaders.com/products...MVjdT7u_NYWOXz3Y3LPHw_6urGY_wLMBeVsnzFtw0ODfE

And:

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...20+Pedersoli+Kentucky+Rifle+.32+Cal+Flint+Kit

Give me your thoughts!

Kibler's are a KIT how's your skills with mechanicals and such? That is the answer.

 

[Jack Barnes]

Kibler's are a KIT how's your skills with mechanicals and such? That is the answer.

I built my traditions ky kit. I figure a kibler is probably easier than that!

 

[longcruise]

I built my traditions ky kit. I figure a kibler is probably easier than that!

I've built several CVA and Traditions kits and heartily agree with that. There's a lot to be learned about building by figuring out how to fix problems on the CVA Traditions kits.

 

[yellowhammer]

I've built several CVA and Traditions kits and heartily agree with that. There's a lot to be learned about building by figuring out how to fix problems on the CVA Traditions kits.

Agree; they dont just fall together.

Like I've said before, I wish Traditions would sell the Sonoran Desert Institute Muzzleloader Class kit to the public. It is so much better than their other offerings. It would probably cost a lot more, tho....

 

[Rudyard]

Best decision you could make, here I am in Australia envying you guys for the opportunities you have over there nowadays; a Kibler kit is worth the patience and budgeting from everything I read and heard.

Not heard of any reaching NZ no saying but MLs are fairly quiet getting anything in or out is a hassle .No squirils but do have rabbits so made a 290 cal flint Baltic bird rifle Cheers Rudyard

 

[Rudyard]

Not heard of any reaching NZ no saying but MLs are fairly quiet getting anything in or out is a hassle .We don't have Squirrel's but I had a 290 cal barrel So made a Flint Baltic bird rifle we do have rabbits . Cheers Rudyard

 

[smoothshooter]

After having a blast hunting deer all weekend with my 50 cal flintlock, I've decided I need to extend the fun and invest in a squirrel rifle! I just need help deciding between 2 rifles. I would love a Kibler, just don't have the extra funds right now with newborn twins. The rifles I'm deciding between:

https://muzzle-loaders.com/products...MVjdT7u_NYWOXz3Y3LPHw_6urGY_wLMBeVsnzFtw0ODfE

And:

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...20+Pedersoli+Kentucky+Rifle+.32+Cal+Flint+Kit

Give me your thoughts!

You can squirrel hunt with your .50; just back off on your powder charge to 35 grains or so. Do not go over 50 grains.
For a dedicated small game rifle save your money for a couple of years and go for the Kibler. The Italian production guns in smaller calibers have that horrendous Roman nose butt stock architecture that fits almost no one.

 

[Ditt44]

You can squirrel hunt with your .50; just back off on your powder charge to 35 grains or so. Do not go over 50 grains.
For a dedicated small game rifle save your money for a couple of years and go for the Kibler. The Italian production guns in smaller calibers have that horrendous Roman nose butt stock architecture that fits almost no one.

Not in every state. PA has a max .40 cal for small game and .45 min for big game.

 

[Ditt44]

Deer hunting this AM and this guy hit within 5 feet of me. I was sure he'd jump onto me or the shooting bat of the ladder stand. He had no worries at all with me. I followed him with my head and took several pics and he just didn't care. Sitka EV 2 pattern. I will testify under oath animals can't see you or figure you out. My chickens act like I'm an apparition. Same with the cat and strays that you can pet on our deck but not in camo. Anyway, that squirrel livened it up for awhile in the early snow fall.

 

[smoothshooter]

I couldn't get my face down far enough on the stock to see the sights align. It is my neighbor's gun, he doesn't shoot it very accurately, but he can't shoot very well with anything. I shot it but knew I wouldn't be accurate is was more for a feeling of how the gun performs. Going from full customs that are made to fit me to a production gun was night and day comparison. I did take apart the lock and try to smoothen it out and increase performance, but it is what it is for a production gun.

Those Roman nosed combs are hard for most people to get their face down on for a decent sight picture.
It seems that sometimes the Italian manufacturers reps picks on what to style to copy are made by people who know nothing about shooting; and if they were to finally realize that they could have done better by copying a Lancaster-style (which fits more people) they would refuse to change anyway.
The Italians are not a shooting culture. Especially when it comes to rifles.
The odds of finding an Italian flintlock that actually ignites properly is quite a crap shoot at best. Their percussion locks usually work okay because they are simpler to make.
Generally, you have to have a $200 or more flint lock (lock) to get something good. The Italians have a real problem with soft screws and lock spring tension.