AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: MuskratMike on January 13, 2020, 10:11:31 PM
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With all the talk about squirrel rifles I do believe there is one in the "Muskrat's" future. As I have a Kibler .40 SMR I am thinking a .32 would be a heck of a lot of fun to own and shoot. We don't see a lot of them out here in Oregon so here are my questions:
Thinking eastern Kentucky, Tennessee, W. Virginia styled mountain rifle?
Flint or percussion?
What lock to buy (style not brand)
Blued, Browned, or Aged patina?
Length of barrel?
Nose cap, patch box, grease hole, metal butt plate or checkered wood, type of wood and stain?
I know a fair amount about long rifles but really would like everyone's opinion. I have some really fancy rifles but a "poor boy" or similar would be neat to own and I know only enough about these to be dangerous.
Thank you, "Muskrat" Mike
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I bet Jim Kibler knows where some are /Ed
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What is percussion? Flintlock is the only way to get them things to go off. Percussions are an ugly waste of time.
Browned or rusted iron.
Use a late period lock, Ketland styled, rounded tail, do not use a Germanic styled lock.
44 inches. Life begins at 44 inches. 45 cal or smaller. .36 was and still is popular.
Just about any kind of hardwood native to the eastern mountains. Walnut being predominant.
No checkering no frills.
Find some good books on the subject and the answer to your questions will jump right out of the pages.
I’m big enough to have strong opinions!
Good luck with your search!!!!!!!
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Stoner Creek:
Thank you for your valued opinion. The only reason I even mentioned cap lock vs Flintlock (as I only shoot flintlocks) is many of the photos of rifles of the period and style I mentioned in .32 caliber are cap locks. I agree with all of the points you mentioned. Even though my rifles tend to be beautiful and what I would call very high quality from noted builders I truly believe that if any rifle is made out of a quality piece of wood (regardless of how much or little figure), a well made and tuned lock, and a very good and balanced barrel you will have a fine shooting and dependable rifle. Again there is just so little out here in this type of rifle or even books on small caliber squirrel rifles that I am asking for help. I also know most builders like to build fancy rifles for their clients I will be looking for a reputable builder who likes "poor boy" or mountain rifles. Would like to know your and everyone else opinion on that also. It's also why I posted about best longrifle shows as I will be looking for a builder.
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Stoner Creek:
Thank you for your valued opinion. The only reason I even mentioned cap lock vs Flintlock (as I only shoot flintlocks) is many of the photos of rifles of the period and style I mentioned in .32 caliber are cap locks. I agree with all of the points you mentioned. Even though my rifles tend to be beautiful and what I would call very high quality from noted builders I truly believe that if any rifle is made out of a quality piece of wood (regardless of how much or little figure), a well made and tuned lock, and a very good and balanced barrel you will have a fine shooting and dependable rifle. Again there is just so little out here in this type of rifle or even books on small caliber squirrel rifles that I am asking for help. I also know most builders like to build fancy rifles for their clients I will be looking for a reputable builder who likes "poor boy" or mountain rifles. Would like to know your and everyone else opinion on that also.
A whole bunch of those wonderful old mountain rifles were converted to percussion during what some refer to as “The Clueless Period”! :o
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Glad I ain’t the only one who rounds the tail of a late Ketland lock. 😁
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I had a .32 North Carolina rifle built by Phoenix Arms (Ken Blevins). It has a nice figured piece of walnut, a Davis/zorn lock, Davis set triggers, and all the metal work is charcoal blue/grey. It is a plain rifle, 43" barrel, but it shoots and looks great as far as I am concerned cause it is a field hunting rifle, not a show piece. You can see his work on the Contemporary Long Rifle web site. I highly recommend Mr. Blevins work.
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Fyrstyk: Can you post pictures of your rifle?
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Call Jim Kibbler and get a 32 barrel for your 40. It should drop tight in and you will have a switch barrel rifle suitable for small game and deer.
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Call Jim Kibbler and get a 32 barrel for your 40. It should drop tight in and you will have a switch barrel rifle suitable for small game and deer.
if your state laws allow the .40 for deer.
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Squirrel rifle, not deer. I have others to shoot game with from .40 - .54 caliber. The post was regarding .32 caliber squirrel rifles. What to build, styles, locks, wood and stains.
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Mike, If I were to build another, it would be with the special .32 squirrel barrel rice offers. You can get real nice thin profile using that barrel.
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Call Jim Kibbler and get a 32 barrel for your 40. It should drop tight in and you will have a switch barrel rifle suitable for small game and deer.
Silly suggestion... That would prevent him from having another gun. ;D
Mike
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Mike- that certainly is a consideration.
Here, .40's are classified as squirrel rifles.
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Here, .40's are classified as squirrel rifles.
Must be some really large squirrels ;D
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.40 on squirrels will work however out west we call them antelope!
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LOL - Mike
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Mike, if it were me with the .40, I would be using it on the small, speedy, and elusive Jackalope! I have heard that there are quite a few in those high elevation deserts.
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They are fun to hunt but taste like $#@*, probably all that sage.
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Mike, If I were to build another, it would be with the special .32 squirrel barrel rice offers. You can get real nice thin profile using that barrel.
Mike,
I went on the Rice site and couldn't find the "Squirrel" barrel.
Is that really what they call it?
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I had the same problem, so I went to the source and contacted Rice. They highly recommend the 44-inch "A" weight .32 caliber swamped barrels. Sounds like a winner to me.
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A .32 makes a super delightful small game rifle and I have one. But...a .45 also makes a nice rifle; and I'm quite sure a .45 can kill, or at least slow down, a squirrel or rabbit. :o
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Hanshi,
Don't you end up with ground squirrel? :o
Pun intended.
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Kill and peel with one shot - as a lazy man, that is a good thing for me!
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Mike, If I were to build another, it would be with the special .32 squirrel barrel rice offers. You can get real nice thin profile using that barrel.
Mike,
I went on the Rice site and couldn't find the "Squirrel" barrel.
Is that really what they call it?
Just call Rice. They have a thinner barrel than the A weight. Jason will know what you’re talking about. I have two rifles in A weight, one .36 and one .32. The squirrel barrel is thinner.
(https://i.ibb.co/3FWpYZ4/15-E22-AA1-B648-4-A87-AE4-C-EF12999-D4-A45.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VCDgp4J)
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Mike Lyons: I did just talk with Jason at Rice. The 44-inch A weight swamped in .32 is lighter than their 42, 45 or 46 inch comparable barrels. Completed rifle should come in at 7 to 7 1/2 pounds. I do believe we are talking about the same barrel. Add to that this would be historically correct length for the type of rifle I am considering.
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I think Jason just makes a few runs of the squirrel barrels only once in a while. When I had my .32 built he had already sold all the barrels from the previous run. He recommended I get an "A" wgt transition barrel which I did. That barrel was plenty light.
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Hanshi,
Don't you end up with ground squirrel? :o
Pun intended.
The squirrel gets ground up for stews anyhow, so what's wrong with grinding it up before I even get home? Have to lookout for bones, though. ???