32 Caliber Black powder Squirrel Rifle???

I have a CVA 'squirrel rifle' that I have taken many with. What a fun hunt to use a bp rifle!
Of course, a .310ball is like a cannonball for small game, but it has been my experience that .32 fouls quicker than the bigger bores like ,36, .40, or even ,45.
The CROCKETT SMALL GAME RIFLE is highly sought after piece.
I likemy .45 rifle because it is the minimum bore to hunt deer legally in my state. It still works for small game too.
I have a .40 that is a traditional size bore, in fact its an original gun...an heirloom. I like the .40 for targets too.
Lots of rambling here, but do your research. 32 is small. Ramrods are small. Guns sometimes are small.
Gunbroker bp section is your friend. Most ship to your door.

Choose wisely.
Best wishes.

Lokichoki said:

I've read that most 32BP rifles twist rate are a little slow for accuracy with lower charges needed to preserve the meat is this as big a concern as im meant to believe?

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NO, it isn't a concern at all.

It's likely coming from a modern rifle shooter who may (or may not) own a small caliber muzzleloader, or couldn't get his one example to shoot well (perhaps he's not such a good shot with iron sights) or perhaps doesn't own any muzzleloaders, and the assessment is based on what he's learned about modern projectiles, NOT patched round ball. The twist rate to stabilize a 45 grain .22 LR bullet is very different from what one needs to stabilize a 45 grain .310 sphere....

Further, one should be going for head shots with a .32 in my opinion, NOT body shots. So this may be the origin of the idea that there is a twist rate problem. (I've taken both squirrel and rabbit with a .54 caliber and a deer load.... a head shot is a head shot.)

The smallest current barrel offered by Colerain is .36 with a 1:48 twist rate. Their .40 caliber rifles also offer a 1:48 twist rate.
The Traditions Crockett rifle in .32 is a 1:48 twist rate
The Pedersoli Alamo, Pennsylvania, Scout,when made in .32 are all 1:48 twist rate

Now these three companies have a vested interest in making these small game rifles accurate, and can have barrels made in any twist rate, so I think if the twist rate was any sort of problem then somebody would've made a change.

The rule-of-thumb is that one tries a starting load of grains equal to caliber, rounded to the nearest 5..., so one should start with 30 grains of 3Fg in a .32 and adjust up or down five grains at a time to see what's the most accurate. I figure one should use from 20-35 grains for hunting.

LD

I have several .32 rifles, 3 percussion and one flinter. They are great small game guns that are very economical to shoot. 15-25 grains of 3f is all that is needed to take most small game. Head shots are preferred on game such as squirrels and rabbits. The .32's can be and are very accurate out to 35-40 yards but you must be mindful of the wind cause the little ball can and does get blown off course easily. As for fouling, alot depends on the lube used and the size (thickness) patch. I can usually get about 4 shots before swabbing the barrel is required, but the degree of difficulty in seating a ball with those thin ram rods will determine how often you will need to clean between shots.

I havnt owned a 32, but have been around them for many years. Having said that, it's the reason my go to little rifle is a .36. The quick fowling thing is true, but you can always clean it, not like having to use it for a defensive item. What I found was the tiny components were sort of problematic hunting rabbits in way cold weather. But, each to there own, I'm not advising against the .32, just mentioning that they are a bit finicky.

A 32 caliber rifle takes a 0.310" ball.
A 31 caliber revolver takes a 0.320" ball.
Go figure.
(The insanity of cartridge designations isn't new!)

Lokichoki said:

*Note:I'm a BP Noob* I have read articles and looked over rifles for a 32 Caliber small game rifle, I've read that most 32BP rifles twist rate are a little slow for accuracy with lower charges needed to preserve the meat is this as big a concern as im meant to believe? Having never hunted small game with Blackpowder I do not have personal reference as to how true this is. Do you Guys/Gals have a recommendation for a good small game BP rifle? Thanks

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The TC .32's have a 28" barrel which the round ball velocities are listed as being 1714 FPS with 30 grains of 3F and 1929 FPS with 40 grains of 3F.
--->>> SEE Page 72 OF THE MANUAL - https://www.scribd.com/document/321169256/Shooting-TC-Side-Lock-Black-Powder-Guns

The high velocity creates a lot of RPM's which offsets the perceived slow twist rate.
Some TC .32's may have had a faster twist rate because TC offered a .32 Maxi-ball conical.
But even then the ball loads may have needed powder charges to be reduced.

Most folks have high praise for the accuracy of the Traditions Crockett .32.
By using 777 powder, folks can get just as much velocity while loading less powder with much less fouling residue.

There's not as many .36's available that don't have an extra long barrel unless going with the Pedersoli Scout Carbine kit. --->>> https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...5+Dixie+Deluxe+Cub+.36+Caliber+Percussion+Kit

It's a level one kit that basically only needs the stock to be finished.
Dixie also offers it in .32 with the difference in price due to the elaborate patch box on the .36. --->>> https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...soli+Scout+Carbine+Kit+.32+Caliber+Percussion

The price of the factory finished .32 Scout carbine is $185 more than the .32 kit. --->>> https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...R3085+Pedersoli+Scout+Carbine+-+.32+Cal.+Perc.

I'm more of a fan of the 36 due to personal preference, it allows for shootng more variety of game while out in the field and makes larger holes for target shooting.
The Traditions .32 Crockett is hard to find since many places including Old South Firearms are out of stock.
But Midway has it in stock and lists 23 reviews. --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1015810760
One reviewer mentions that it's more accurate than his TC .32.

The .32 Crockett can be quite accurate, even to 50 yards. I got to play with one years ago, and the .310 RB with a .010 patch was very good. Shot 20gr of Pyrodex P (3F) and didn't foul any worse than my .45 Kentucky rifle. Buffolo Ballets were at the time made in .32, and tried those that day also. Maybe they are still around? Didn't impress me, they were hardly bigger than the round ball. I'm sure less than 20gr of charge would have worked well also. At 20 gr, it had a really nice crack, going sonic.

I enjoy my Crockett 32 rifle. It's accurate and cheap to shoot. I don't hunt anymore (lack of places and limited mobility) but it's fun at the range. A .310 ball, 20 to 30 grains of 3F Goex with a .010 patch lubed with Hoppe's 9 Plus gets 4 or 5 shots before needing to swab the bore. If I hunted I would use it for squirrels or rabbits without worry. I did replace the ramrod with a steel range rod for shooting and cleaning.

Jeff

unspellable said:

A 32 caliber rifle takes a 0.310" ball.
A 31 caliber revolver takes a 0.320" ball.
Go figure.

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Both are .32 bore... so to speak...

The former is "fit" to the bore with a gasget....
The latter swages the ball onto the rifling...,

This is why the .36 [bore] revolver uses .375 bullets...it swages them down, twice. Once when loaded, and even a bit more when fired

The modern folks have the problem with their .44 using .429 bullets while the Cap-n-Ball revolvers that have .44 bores use .451 or .454 bullets that also swage down twice, finally to .44 when fired.

LD

The smaller caliber rifles do hold their value and there are always folks looking for them so if you decide to pull the trigger on a .32 or .36 you wont be stuck with it if you change your mind.

Built a .31 cal percussion full stock back around 1968 for my wife. Numrich 13/16" barrel, 1 in 36". Fantastically accurate with a .295 ball, linen patch and 25 grains of fffg. Squirrel head accuracy to fifty yards.
Go for it.
Dumb me traded it off for something long forgotten. Just found her horn and possible a bag last week.