Traditions Crockett 32 Cal Squirrel Rifle?

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  • Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    Yup, I have a steel one that was coming in the mail. Should be in today.

    But I like that Hoppes one you linked. Do you know if its 10-32 or 8-32?

    Using the included aluminum was just temporary. And YES if anyone was wondering, I held it close to the muzzle to load in multiple steps so that it would not bend on me.

    I have a tube with all my range rods (except my long one for the Springfield 1863) and I may get that hoppes one and use it either for my 40 or this Crockett and use the new one with the 40.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Most black powder threads are 10-32 while most smokeless threads are 8-32. You can buy an adapter from TOTW for 8-32 to 1032 male, female and just about every other cleaning rod thread.

    Too bad they don't make this in .36. I have always favored .36 and .40 for small game hunting. .31 and .32 are too damn small for my fingers.
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    Thanks for the update, Melnic. I think you're going to really enjoy your Crockett. :thumbsup:

    Here is a YouTube video of our first Hooligan shots last Sunday. It's posted on this thread, but not everyone has access to the WC: https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?232672&p=5482231#post5482231



    A couple of points and thoughts:
    • Yes, the ramrod that comes with the rifles is aluminum. It should be threaded 10/32 on both ends. The "loading tip" that comes with it will unscrew.
    • For me, the ramrod is for looks when range shooting. I used a 5/16" Delrin range rod to load the rifle. It's too big for my taste, but it worked. I'll end up adding a hickory ramrod for "looks" and find a smaller diameter range rod for loading.
    • Steel rods would be my last choice to run down the bore. I'll stick with wood, aluminum, brass or synthetic for a general purpose range and cleaning rod.
    • For starting balls I made a primitive hand starter out of scrap wood, 1/4" oak dowels and .25acp cases. It worked, but CombatAK is making something better. :thumbsup:
    • The patch thickness and ball diameter combination makes a big difference. The .310 balls and .010 lubed patches we had were easy to start. I have .015 patches coming to try. The samples of .311 balls you're providing will give me some combos to work with. :D
    • Having tools like nipple or pan chargers on hand at the range is a real good idea!

    Your accuracy was a lot better than ours. But we were using Swiss 1.5G (and it was effin' cold that morning). We've already planned to move to Goex 3F next time.

    Looking forward to more range reports on your rifle!

    :)
     

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    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    Good info
    I think I’m going to put some tape around the ramrod hidden under where the rings are. That aluminum to metal sound when I pick up or move the gun annoys me. Just messes up The genre.
    If that does not quiet it down I’ll just have to put a decorative wooden one in there and forgoe the idea of a backup rod.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    A BIG Shout Out To Melnic!

    It was great to meet you today! We gotta get you to a Hooligan shoot sometime soon! You'll fit right in with the rest of the Hooligans.

    I can't thank you enough for the .311 lead balls you cast and brought for us to try in the Crockett. They will be put to good use. Range report to follow, :thumbsup:

    Glad you and your family are enjoying your skiing and getaway weekend.

    Travel back home safely, my friend,

    :)
     

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    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    Had the Crockett (I keep wanting to call it a cricket) out and shot at 25 yards
    Sharpened a cheap folding knife on my lansky to 20 degrees for a really sharp edge so I could cut at the muzzle.
    Again with 30 grains, over powder lubed wad and the blue pillow ticking with muzzle cut patch.

    I started to use a 5/16” Delrin rod and my drawn down jag with 1” cotton squares as cleaning patches. I don’t think a button jag would work with this large a rod. Spit patch cleaning between shots.

    I also put my eyepal diopter patch on my shooting glasses to sharpen up my aim

    I’m going to drift the front or rear sight before I take it out again.

    This was about 8 shots I think.
    cbaba6c91401c26e112bcb8d8f56ff81.jpg



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    Terrific input, Melnic. And nice shooting! Glad you were able to get your "Cricket"... er "Crockett"... some range time. :thumbsup:

    We have a winter storm heading to Hooliganville tomorrow so getting my "Cricket" to the range to test your balls is doubtful. :sad20:

    In the meantime I have some .015" dry patches and some rendered bear fat provided by CombatAK to soak the patches in.

    The Hooligans are definitely looking forward to wrapping your balls in bear fat patches and shooting them!

    Stay tuned for a range report...

    :D
     

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    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I guess having a Joann's fabric store would be too much to ask if you live "Out West." :rolleyes:

    Too bad, you can get a yard of good material for what you probably paid for those cut patches. Daniel Boone is rolling over in his grave. :lol:
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    I guess having a Joann's fabric store would be too much to ask if you live "Out West." :rolleyes:

    Too bad, you can get a yard of good material for what you probably paid for those cut patches. Daniel Boone is rolling over in his grave. :lol:

    In Garrett County? :lol2: Who is this Joann of whom you speak? :rofl:

    Actually CombatAK lives about 3 miles from Joann in Allegany Co. Gonna have to entice that Hooligan to pay her a visit...

    :D
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    The lady in Joanne's in Annapolis gives me a military discount and told me how to sign up for deals on line. The first time I started going there, the woman asked why I wanted #40 drill, "are you crafting she asked. I said, actually I'm reliving history by shooting my 1700 era rifle musket. Her eyes got big and she gasped and I though we were going to witness a heart attack. :lol:
     

    CombatAK

    Hooligan #12
    Sep 1, 2015
    1,156
    Cresaptown
    In Garrett County? :lol2: Who is this Joann of whom you speak? :rofl:

    Actually CombatAK lives about 3 miles from Joann in Allegany Co. Gonna have to entice that Hooligan to pay her a visit...

    :D

    Just tell me exactly what you want and I will get enough for many Hooligans. :innocent0
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    ...the woman asked why I wanted #40 drill, "are you crafting she asked. I said, actually I'm reliving history by shooting my 1700 era rifle musket. Her eyes got big and she gasped and I though we were going to witness a heart attack. :lol:

    I'm totally :shocked3:! Yet another OMG moment of the ignorant! Thank gawd you didn't tell her you were shooting a 1700's era Assault Musket! :rolleyes: :rofl:

    So I can ask CombatAK what to get, what fabric are you using? I'm thinking thicknesses ranging from .010 to ~ .0120 with maybe some .0112 and .0115 in between. I'd like to try some different patch/ball combos to see what works best in my and all other Hooligan's ML's.

    :)
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    Just tell me exactly what you want and I will get enough for many Hooligans. :innocent0

    I figured you were "in". :thumbsup:

    Using fabric strips for patches means cutting the patch while loading. The only problem I have is Mrs. J banned me from playing with sharp objects years ago... :o:sad20: Gonna need some Hooligan help so I'll still have my fingers when I come home after Hooligan shoots...

    ;);)
     

    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    Blue pillow ticking at Walmart is my normal patch. If you don't have a Walmart within 30 minutes of you, you are definitely in the sticks :)
    The brown pillow ticking there is a tad thinner I have found.

    Just wash them after you get them.

    Even when cutting at the muzzle, I will cut into small rectangles bigger than needed so I can let soak in my mouth before using.

    For my pre cut patches I spend the time to find a bottle top of something circular and then just draw a bunch of circles with a sharpie on the fabric.
    Then take good stainless fabric shears (makes a world of difference) then cut them.
    Lots of people make or buy a punch so they can punch patches and/or wads. I"m not at that point yet.
    I'll stay at scissor cutting the .54 patches and muzzle cutting the .32
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Walmart is hit or miss but sometimes they do have the fabric you need. Joanne's pretty much always has it.

    I use #40 drill, beige color and it mostly mics out to .015-016. I also use the stripped 100 percent cotton ticking which usually mics out at .0175-.0185. I also have cotton duck which mics out to .022 and is useful in some smooth bores and worn barrels.

    I am going to disagree with Melnic on his point about washing the fabric. I use a mixture of 8 to 1 Ballistol and water or NAPA soluble oil and water. When sprayed on fabric that has not been washed, the fabric stays firmer and does not get holes blown through it. When I have washed the fabric, it gets softer and gets more burn/blow holes. I tested my theory over a few weeks and it was repeatable. Just my .02.

    Never use a caliper to measure fabric. Always use a mic and crank it down to compress it to give you a good read.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    J8064, is there a decent hotel near your range out there? I would like to come out this summer with my wife but I she needs an accessible hotel as she uses a wheelchair. If you guys will sponsor me as a guest, I will bring up a couple of interesting guns to shoot.
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    J8064, is there a decent hotel near your range out there? I would like to come out this summer with my wife but I she needs an accessible hotel as she uses a wheelchair. If you guys will sponsor me as a guest, I will bring up a couple of interesting guns to shoot.

    Since I live in Deep Creek, the WISP is my first suggestion. It's ~ 15 miles from the Savage River Range and kinda on the way for a couple of Hooligans.
    I'm thinking there are many ways to make things happen...

    ;)
     

    buellsfurn

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 1, 2015
    5,951
    southern end of Maryland
    Walmart is hit or miss but sometimes they do have the fabric you need. Joanne's pretty much always has it.

    I use #40 drill, beige color and it mostly mics out to .015-016. I also use the stripped 100 percent cotton ticking which usually mics out at .0175-.0185. I also have cotton duck which mics out to .022 and is useful in some smooth bores and worn barrels.

    I am going to disagree with Melnic on his point about washing the fabric. I use a mixture of 8 to 1 Ballistol and water or NAPA soluble oil and water. When sprayed on fabric that has not been washed, the fabric stays firmer and does not get holes blown through it. When I have washed the fabric, it gets softer and gets more burn/blow holes. I tested my theory over a few weeks and it was repeatable. Just my .02.

    Never use a caliper to measure fabric. Always use a mic and crank it down to compress it to give you a good read.

    I can't find the emoji for head exploding
     

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