Connecticut Valley Arms .32 Squirrel Gun?
10-21-2015, 04:56 AM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 198
Connecticut Valley Arms .32 Squirrel Gun?
Hey all, I recently was given a CVA .32 Caliber Squirrel gun. Looks to be in really good shape. However, I do not know much about it. I looked up the rounds for it and could only find .32 ball rounds. I think the diameter on the recommended round is .310. I did find some .308 bullets and was wondering if this would work in that little gun. Also any other history, stats, data on that particular model would be welcome, I want to know as much as possible about them. Will post some pictures here in a few.
Last edited by skiftcky; 10-21-2015 at 05:30 PM. Reason: Added Pics
10-21-2015, 06:32 AM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Virginia / West Virginia
Posts: 4,906
From what I've seen, most everyone that has the small cal bp rifles uses patched round balls. Cool little gun, I'd like to have a small cal one day. They can shoot quite well and be hell on squirrels for sure. I'm sure someone will chime in with specific experience on that gun. 
10-21-2015, 10:52 AM
#4
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 198
Yeah, All I have seen for it is the ball rounds for it. I was hoping to get something that would provide a bit more accuracy but in the end it will still be fun to shoot. I think what I will do is let my son shoot it as his 1st muzzle loader. You know you're raising them right when they walk in, see the traditional look of the rifle, jaw drops and he say's "It's beautiful".
10-21-2015, 12:25 PM
#5
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,746
You'll just have to play with it. Trying different patch thicknesses and powder charges until you find one that it shoots well.
Start with 20 gr of FFFg powder and .010" patch. Move up in 5 gr increments. Then start over using .015" patches. If you still don't think the ball/patch combo is tight enough you can go to a .020" patch. But you likely won't have to.
Be forewarned - the little .32 bore fouls quickly. You had better swab your bore out after each shot. You can use a simple spit patch on a jag to wipe most of the fouling out.
Start with 20 gr of FFFg powder and .010" patch. Move up in 5 gr increments. Then start over using .015" patches. If you still don't think the ball/patch combo is tight enough you can go to a .020" patch. But you likely won't have to.
Be forewarned - the little .32 bore fouls quickly. You had better swab your bore out after each shot. You can use a simple spit patch on a jag to wipe most of the fouling out.
10-21-2015, 03:44 PM
#6
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 198
You'll just have to play with it. Trying different patch thicknesses and powder charges until you find one that it shoots well.
Start with 20 gr of FFFg powder and .010" patch. Move up in 5 gr increments. Then start over using .015" patches. If you still don't think the ball/patch combo is tight enough you can go to a .020" patch. But you likely won't have to.
Be forewarned - the little .32 bore fouls quickly. You had better swab your bore out after each shot. You can use a simple spit patch on a jag to wipe most of the fouling out.
Start with 20 gr of FFFg powder and .010" patch. Move up in 5 gr increments. Then start over using .015" patches. If you still don't think the ball/patch combo is tight enough you can go to a .020" patch. But you likely won't have to.
Be forewarned - the little .32 bore fouls quickly. You had better swab your bore out after each shot. You can use a simple spit patch on a jag to wipe most of the fouling out.
10-21-2015, 03:55 PM
#7
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,746
One more thing. There is no need to go beyond 40 gr. And I don't think I'd even go that high. When I had mine I think I was shooting 25 gr with a .310 ball and .010" patch.
10-22-2015, 08:05 AM
#10
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 198
Awesome grouping Semisane, is that shooting the factory iron sights or scoped? I doubt very seriously that I will scope mine... just seems to take away from the aesthetics of the rifle, not to mention I want my kid to learn traditional before he shoots scoped.