Traditions Crockett 32 Cal Squirrel Rifle?

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  • j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    Something a little different is coming to a Hooligan shoot soon. I've been considering adding one of these Crockett rifles to my collection for a few years. Don't know why, but it looks like fun. Everywhere Ive researched on the inter-webs I've seen good reviews.

    I searched the forum and found almost no info. Can anybody add any first-hand experience on shooting one? :shrug:

    I've built a couple of nice shooting Traditions Kentucky Rifles from kits. This time we'll see what their factory-built rifles are like.

    Well - Anyhow - One is on its way...

    Looking for y'all's thoughts.

    ??????

    :innocent0
     

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    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    I will be very curious because it shows it is just 6lbs which at that light caliber will be easier to handle offhand at a full load. With trying to shoot my Lyman today offhand and after gifting my TC Hawken 50 to my son I’m thinking the NEXT BP gun I buy will be a light caliber sidelock aiming for shooting offhand.

    At first look I am thinking this is a candidate so I will be looking forward to your review cause it has a lot of what I would want
    Light caliber
    Light weight
    Double set trigger




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    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    I will be very curious because it shows it is just 6lbs which at that light caliber will be easier to handle offhand at a full load. With trying to shoot my Lyman today offhand and after gifting my TC Hawken 50 to my son I’m thinking the NEXT BP gun I buy will be a light caliber sidelock aiming for shooting offhand.

    At first look I am thinking this is a candidate so I will be looking forward to your review cause it has a lot of what I would want
    Light caliber
    Light weight
    Double set trigger

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    I'm aligned with you on the light weight and shooting off hand. This should be a fun rifle. A full range report with pics and vids will be posted.. :thumbsup:
     

    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    So, you gonna build one?

    :shrug:

    I am going to initiate "SOMETHING" in the next week.
    The Traditions Crockett is on my short list. It is really the only affordable light weight 32-40 out there that I see online. The Pedersoli 32 is $795 and the Dixie Cub is $695

    I like the size and weight of my 40 cal Dixie cub Kit that I got from a Pawn shop for $200 (what a steal, the 36 kit now sells for $650 which is pretty high just a few $ less than one already BUILT!).

    If I were to find a Dixie Cub or Pedersoli in 32-40 in good shape, I would buy that.
    T/C once sold a Cherokee in various calibers including 32. If I see a Crockett kit or a used one, I may buy that too all depending on condition.

    If I don't see anything at the show, I'll likely order an already built 32 Crockett. I have enough projects on my plate right now so if its new, it will be built :)
     

    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    Saw a CVA 36 Squirrel Rifle at Chantilly.
    Double set trigger, adjustable rear site. Price was tolerable , But really like the 32 so I put an order in for a Crockett


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    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    Saw a CVA 36 Squirrel Rifle at Chantilly.
    Double set trigger, adjustable rear site. Price was tolerable , But really like the 32 so I put an order in for a Crockett

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    Congrats. Looking forward to a range report! :thumbsup:

    The one I ordered is on its way and will arrive next Wednesday. In the meantime a picked up some Hornady 32 cal balls and Cabela's lubed patches to get me started.

    Below is a pic that compares a 32 cal ball to a 50 cal and a 58 cal Minie ball. Dayum they are tiny! They weigh about 45 grains. Almost like shooting a BP rifle in 22LR... :lol2:

    This should be interesting!

    :D
     

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    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    Good pick
    I also ordered from TOTW a couple jags so I can turn them down if needed. I already have a .311 mold on its way.

    I put out the rest of the deer corn at my stand so the squirrels will be there for the rest of the month.


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    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    With all the big chunks of lead you're cutting up to cast boolits you can prolly make a zillion 32"s... ;)

    You need to get to a Hooligan shoot real soon... :thumbsup:

    :innocent0
     

    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    I will be likely able to make it out sometime in April or may. The question will be what I will take with me ;)


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    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    Lee .311 mold came in and ran up a quick 50 batch.
    I think more lead spilled over than went into the balls.
    Also measured and cut some smaller pillow ticking patches for them.
    My Crockett is shipped and should be here early next week.
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    Lee .311 mold came in and ran up a quick 50 batch.
    I think more lead spilled over than went into the balls.
    Also measured and cut some smaller pillow ticking patches for them.
    My Crockett is shipped and should be here early next week.

    I'll be real curious on how the Lee .311 balls work. It shouldn't take but a few drops of lead to fill the mold cavity. :lol2:

    My Crockett should arrive on Wednesday. I'm in Denver tonight for a meeting tomorrow morning. I'm hoping I can get home tomorrow night so I'm there to sign for it!

    :fingerscrossed:
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    Well now...

    This looks like it should be a lot of BP fun!

    The fit and finish are excellent. It's light weight, balance is nice and shoulders comfortably. The set trigger system seems light and crisp.

    The only downside so far is a 5/16" Delrin range rod I have will fit, but it's very tight in the bore. Gonna need to come up with a good 32 cal range rod to use.

    Looking forward to its first range trip!

    :thumbsup:
     

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    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    Have you run a patch down the barrel yet?
    What else does it come with? Did it come with a jag?
    Is the ramrod it comes with have an 8/32 or 10/32 thread female on the end?
    I had read a review where someone commented that there is a STEP at the breech that his patched jag kept getting caught up on.
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    Have you run a patch down the barrel yet? Yep. As expected there is a coating of preservative oil in the bore. It will get a good cleaning before its first range trip.

    What else does it come with? Did it come with a jag? A Traditions instruction book is in the box. No jag. Rod tips (jag, ball puller, fouling scraper etc.) are <$4 each at TOW. But you already knew that. I needed some other items from them anyway.

    Is the ramrod it comes with have an 8/32 or 10/32 thread female on the end? There's 10/32 threads on both ends.

    I had read a review where someone commented that there is a STEP at the breech that his patched jag kept getting caught up on. I read that too. I couldn't feel a ridge anywhere in the bore with a patched 32 cal brush. Smooth all the way to the breech.

    :thumbsup:
     
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    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    After 3 days of weather delay it finally came!

    The ramrod of mine is Aluminum and threaded on one end 10-32

    8b95f4a8cf196f91319f38a35ce844da.jpg

    5ad6968a0a06864773c984b842e8dac8.jpg



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    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    Ok I was the eager beaver this morning and took it out for a trip before work this morning

    Started out with 20gr 3F goex
    I pre cut some smaller patches and took some shots at 25yards
    The groups were bigger than I expected. The patches with my 32-36 ball starter were wellhard to use the long rod of the ball starter. I need to reduce that starter down.
    So I started to cut the patches at the muzzle and it did reduce the Flyers.

    I was using custom cut 1” cotton cleaning patches with spit between shots. For the 16 or so total shots this morning loading force stayed consistent and no issues with the stock aluminum rod.

    I then bumped up to 30grains and the groups were still centered a tad right of POA

    I happened to have some .36 lubed wads and took 4 shots adding those and they shrunk the groups down tremendously. I have those 4 shots circled in the 2nd pic.

    Hard to come to a final conclusion though as this barrel is not broken in, I will spend another day taking all my rejected balls I molded the other day and just get some break in time with it and see how it fares with the 20gr load with just patch and ball after 50 shots.

    I have lots of the brown pillow ticking so used that. Its a tad thinner than the blue stuff so I may try that next time. Its what works well with my .54 Lyman and .395 balls.

    I will leave the sights alone till I get a consistently accurate load formula

    Oh yea, some other comments.
    I had previously purchased 2 .32 cal jags from Track of the Wolf.
    As I have been finding, these jags REALLY need to be turned down in a poor man's lathe (chuck up in drill and use a file).
    Bore is .32 cal and jag was .290
    I rounded the tip and tapered it from .250 at the tip to .265 at the top
    I also DEFINITIVELY needed patches that were about 1". Any larger and the patch extends up to the point where the jag meets the rod and then there is basically no room for the patch between that and the lands of the bore.
    You might be able to see in my last pic of the jag how the top of the brass jag is actually larger in diameter than the rod itself.

    5d9b4c19e49c4621af60775e915e7a68.jpg

    bda544af4e0d8cac9280605002b8da90.jpg


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    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,735
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Try using the Button Jag with that small caliber. I find they work better with .45 and down. Also you might think about buying a steel range rod instead of the aluminum rod. You get more ummph with the steel rod and they don't pick up carbon particles like an aluminum rod.

    Here are a couple of links. https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/843/1
    https://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-Piece...&sr=1-4&keywords=one+piece+steel+cleaning+rod

    BTW, if you want info about buying felt to make your own wads (they don't have to be lubed and are much cheaper), send me a PM.
     

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