Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

I am really contemplating hard on getting a .32 cal Crockett Rifle. I want it just to plink with and probably be fun to squirrel and rabbit hunt with it. But I have been reading about how fast they foul up (that tiny bore). Do you guys think it is really a problem. What the heck, most of us swab between shots anyway.
If I do decide on one, I will be using the .310" lead balls and wondering what patch thickness would be best to start with. I can get it in .010", .015" or .018". The load would probably be 20 - 25 gr of FFFg or Pyrodex P.
Lets hear your thoughts.

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

bronko22000
I went the same route back before commercial muzzle loaders became popular I wanted a good squirrel gun, I started with 30 cal and ended up with a 40 cal with a 36 in between. Yes they can be bad about fouling and the very light balls limited the range more than I could believe at first. Yet they are a barrel of fun[no pun intended], i would recommend a 36 as it seems like the fouling is less difficult to deal with from there on to the bigger calibers and it is much easier to find the equipment to match the caliber, even if you make your own accessories it is a good choice.Lee

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

I've read some posts by Crockett owners on other forums and all I have heard is how much fun they are to shoot. 20 grains of 3f and a roundball and they plinking begins. I would bet that they make a good 50 yard squirrel rifle. BUT I do not own one or shoot one... yet. Sportsman's Guide have them on sale.

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

I'd go with a .36 cal. One reason is cleaning and swabing between shots . The cleaning or ramrod is smaller on a .32 and would be easier to break.

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

I have a 36cal and really like it I got it from the Possible's Shop It is a CVA bobcat good shooter I think they are selling for 200 now I know Big 6 on Modern Muzzleloader just bought one

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

The 32 cal crockett is a great gun . I bought one 2 years ago . I use 30 gr 3f,.310 ball and a .018 patch. It is accurate for me to 40 yards. I haven't tried much beyond that. I intended it to be the first blackpowder gun for my kids to learn on.It was so much fun that I shoot it more than they do. I never really experimented a whole lot with loads. I used Shockeys gold and different have a fouling problem. I figure for the distance I was shooting the velocity variation with APP wouldn't matter a whole lot. I used t7 3f also. That definitely is a swab every shot powder. I might have to dig it out and experiment some more now that you have me thinking about it.

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

Had a friend that had to sell most of his guns due to bad times. I picked up his Traditions Crockett .32 cal Squirrelly gun and have nothing but fun ever since. They are easy to handle and shoot. I have no problems with crud buildup. I only use the real stuff, Goex BP. I am using the .310 ball with a .015 or .018 patch. They both seem to work and both go down fairly easy.

This is my first go to fun gun in my safe as to BP guns. Go out and get one and just have some fun. But Iwould think of shooting the real stuff. It has no issues on ignition. Goes bang everytime. ;)

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

Traditions also makes the Frontier in a 32 cal. It isn't as nice as the Crockett but it shoots good and is a lot cheaper. The only thing about the Crockett is it is expensive, Nice gun but over priced in my opinion.:D

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

Chet - thanks, I will have to see if I can find anyone who has one or can order one. Tradition's site only lists the 50 cal. But is a neat looking rifle. I like it even better than the Crockett.

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

Sounds like a fun gun - flintlock, no doubt! IF a flinter, you'd have to put a couple of grains of black in the barrel first to ignite a Pyrodex main charge, and of course FFFFg in the pan.....

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

I bought mine last year through the local hardware store. they get a lot of their stuff from BassPro, so think that is where it came from. It is listed as the "DeerHunter" . Punch in Traditions Deerhunter 32 cal. and you should find it. i paid about $300.00 with shipping but you could probably find it cheaper online ( less than 250). I try to shop locally as much as possible so i pay a little more sometimes.It is a nice gun except the fiber optic sights look out of place:D

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

http://www.openseasongear.com/Deerhu.../R36128101.htm

this link has it for only 235.00 The picture is nickel and composite model. Mine is wood and blued. The description says wood and blued, so I don't know why the picture is different. I know in the 50 cal model they offer nickel, camo and a couple others. I checked bass pro and they want 314.00 now. I guess they went up since last year. Good luck

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

Actually I found a site that has the Crockett rifle for $329 NIB.

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

I don't think this the the gun he is looking for. It is not a squirrelly gun. Here in Virginia we can't use a .32 cal. to hunt deer.

I think this is what he is looking for: http://www.cainsoutdoor.com/shop/large.asp It is however a little expensive at $380.

I'm sure there are some a little cheaper then this.

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

Thanks to all that replied. But the Crockett is on hold now that I got a T/C Hawken Silver Elite on the way.

RE: Need honest opinions from those with experience
 

About 25 years ago I built a 32 caliber halfstock percussion rifle. I used a drum and nipple system on a Montana Rifle BarrelCo. barrel. It is 3/4 inch across the flats and 35 inches long. I used a Dixie Tennessee mountain rifle percussion lock and a stock blank from Doc Hopkins Long Rifle Shop. Over the years I have put many squirrels in thefreezer with that little rifle. It never gave a minutes trouble. I use 25gr of GOEX 3-f behind a .310 round ball and is a delite to shoot.

A couple of years ago I converted it to flint ignition with a L&R drop in replacement for the Dixie lock. If I find a limb or something to rest the rifle on I can still get a head shot on a 25 yard squrirrel.

When I retired, my buddies at work gave me a Crockett .32 as a gift and I have shot it quite a bit and have had no problems with it. It also is a great shooter. Mine likes 35gr of 3-f behind a .310 rb.

_________________________________

Hunting with a flintlock is more fun than peeing off the back porch.

RE: Mr. Flint Lock
 

Mr. Flintlock, Do you know anyone that makes a drop in Flint lock for the Hatfield rifle? I think the drum could be replaced with a threaded liner.