Affordable Small Caliber Rifle
- Thread starter rodwha
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Longhunter1700
Member
Thats about it unless you can find an old CVA Squirrel Rifle somewhere, they usually run in the $250-$350 range.
I think I'd prefer a .36 or .40 cal. I read often enough the complaints about quick fouling in the smaller calibers.
Something I've also thought about is having a barrel lined. I'm a bit leery of used BP guns as you just don't know how it was treated. Lining it would take the concern away as well as the hefty tag if a rifle can be found that is under 15/16" and light enough.
Something I've also thought about is having a barrel lined. I'm a bit leery of used BP guns as you just don't know how it was treated. Lining it would take the concern away as well as the hefty tag if a rifle can be found that is under 15/16" and light enough.
Longhunter1700
Member
I have owned a dozen or more .32cal muzzleloaders in both caplock and flintlock, shot in matches where i fired twenty or more shots and never wiped the barrel between shots. If you use a good patch lube and real black powder you should never have a problem.
Caliper_Mi
Member
What lube do you use? I shoot with a guy who has a .32 and using spit lube w/ BP he has to swab sometimes 2-3 times in a 15 round course.
For patch lube I've only had grape seed oil so far as its all SWMBO would allow me to use as most of our (her) oils are on the expensive side. I have made up some 10:1 water/Ballistol mix but never tried it.
We've moved to a place where the nearest range is about an hour one way and so I haven't been.
We've moved to a place where the nearest range is about an hour one way and so I haven't been.
Longhunter1700
Member
A lot of the old timers use spit and it will work buy it does not keep your fouling moist. For cold weather shooting I use Trappers mink oil.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/132/1/MINK-OIL
In warm weather I like Hoppe's No. 9 for black powder
http://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-Powder...pebp=1441641427828&perid=19V62PN0H2Z3D10V31Y6
Zeke/PA
Member
You are correct!
T.C. made some excellent rifles in the "squirrel hunting " capacity and I do in fact own a T.C. Seneca in .36 caliber.
With home cast , patched round balls, the rifle is a fun gun on Squirrels here in Penn's Woods.
From a bench rest at 50 yards, I can shoot a 3 shot, one hole group with ease.
The original sights stunk( pistol sights) so I made my own as an update.
In the past, in archery season. after I'd hung my buck, I'd travel to a spot where I would not bother my buddies bow hunting and harvest enough squirrels for a hunt camp "end of week in the mountains", squirrel stew with dumplings and home made biscuits!
The Thompson Seneca is a super rifle and IF you can find one. Jump on it!
T.C. made some excellent rifles in the "squirrel hunting " capacity and I do in fact own a T.C. Seneca in .36 caliber.
With home cast , patched round balls, the rifle is a fun gun on Squirrels here in Penn's Woods.
From a bench rest at 50 yards, I can shoot a 3 shot, one hole group with ease.
The original sights stunk( pistol sights) so I made my own as an update.
In the past, in archery season. after I'd hung my buck, I'd travel to a spot where I would not bother my buddies bow hunting and harvest enough squirrels for a hunt camp "end of week in the mountains", squirrel stew with dumplings and home made biscuits!
The Thompson Seneca is a super rifle and IF you can find one. Jump on it!
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rodinal220
Member
Another vote for the T/C Seneca in .36 .
Longhunter1700
Member
I believe he said affordable. If you can find a T/C Seneca or Cherokee you are going to pay $400-$600 for it, IMO they arent worth it. They are not that much better than the Traditions.
rodinal220
Member
Depends where you live and what type of places you buy from. I purchased an excellent condition T/C Seneca in .36 for $150,plus a Hawkin .54 and a Big Boar .58 for $165 each, from a major firearms retailer,deals can be had.
IMHO T/C guns are better made than the Traditions. I do like my little Traditions Crockett .32 and I purchased it from the same retailer for 80 bucks.
IMHO T/C guns are better made than the Traditions. I do like my little Traditions Crockett .32 and I purchased it from the same retailer for 80 bucks.
Next time you see a t/c hawk in .45 for your prices buy it and add 100 bucks to it and I'll buy it.
Do you mean as far as if its pitted? Theres a couple ways to help see the bore. I took a small mirror and scratched the silver backing off in a small spot in the center. A strong light can be reflected off it into the bore and I could see through the hole in the backing. I've also simply shined a really bright light down the bore, and dropped something shiny down it that would reflect light back, but I dont recall what I used. If you have access to a bore scope, that would tell the entire tale.
I had a TC Renegade that was neglected and rusted. I took a chance on it. it cleaned up ok and shot fine, it was fine surface rust, it didnt seem to have pitted badly or deeply. For the price I couldnt complain.
Steel Horse Rider
Member
If you are capable of doing some tedious wood and metal finish work you can buy a kit from Dixie Gun Works and end up with a fine Pedersoli firearm. I have completed several of their kits and the finished product both looks and shoots very well. They do have a variety of offerings in .32 and .40 caliber.
BCRider
Member
If this is during a continuous string of fire then I'd suggest he simply doesn't drool enough
A few months back I realized that I'd left my Ballistol and water "Moose Milk" back at the car but the group I was with was starting out on the BP trail. So I opted to just use spit patching. As long as I got the patch well soaked this worked out fine and the fouling drag on the ball and patch stayed constant and light for the whole 27 shots I had to shoot to finish up the day. So I'd say he just wasn't generous enough with the spit. To get it to that point I had to lay it on my tongue while I was measuring and pouring in the powder.
The Ballistol and water mix is what I usually use and it works like a treat. Again after the first two shots from a clean bore there's a slight increase in the ball and patch drag when ramming. But with around 6 drops or so of MM on the patch ruffle left when the ball is started then pushed home the fouling drag remains light, consistent and more than easily managed for the rest of the day without any swabbing. If I do notice a build in the drag it's due to skimping a little on the MM. A couple of extra drops for a shot or two and it's back to normal.
I originally tried Canola oil based on how well it worked in my BP revolvers. But I found that this produced a portion just ahead of the chamber where the fouling was bad. Switching to the MM with the oil and water mix gives me a smoother and more consistent ramming home.
Oddly enough the spit patch was just as good. But I just could not get used to the fabric on my tongue and about ever second or third time I'd put a patch on my tongue I'd give a big "nails on a chalkboard" sort of shiver....
Sunray
Member
Isn't under $600 but Dixie lists a percussion or flint, Pedersoli, .32 cal Pennsylvania and a .32 and .36 cal., "Frontier Rifle". Plus a .32 Calibre "Scout Carbine."
The Pedersoli kits Steel Horse Rider mentions are within your budget. Only just though.
The Pedersoli kits Steel Horse Rider mentions are within your budget. Only just though.
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