New squirrel rifle

[MeliusCreekTrapper]

My father just finished up my new squirrel rifle. The build was inspired by the John Rupp rifle with the side opening patchbox. Rice Allentown barrel in 36 caliber, L&R Dickert lock, maple stock. Had it to the range yesterday for the first time, let's just say the squirrels better watch out now.

[Kopfjaeger]

Nice. Beautiful rifle.

[Bigmon]

I'm betting you have a great Father!!  I know I did!!  Enjoy and love him, I miss mine every day.  Mom too.

[bama]

Ditto on the miss mine. Great rifle and I wish you many successful hunts.

[MeliusCreekTrapper]

Bigmon, yes my father is amazing, just like his dad was. I cherish the time I get to spend with him.

[Daryl]

That's a fine looking rifle. As long as the comb is not too high, it should be a pleasure to shoot.

[Tony N]

Fine looking rifle!  Happy Hunting!

Tony

[MeliusCreekTrapper]

That's a fine looking rifle. As long as the comb is not too high, it should be a pleasure to shoot.

Its probably a touch high, but being a 36 the recoil is very slight. I didn't notice any of the dreaded Lehigh cheek slap. My 54 made to the same pattern on the other hand will let you know if you have your face too far forward. One of these years I might bite the bullet and modify the comb.

[jgraham1]

Very nice work on that rifle.

Jerry

[wapiti22]

That’s very nice!!!

[Bigmon]

What is your load you are using?  I was shooting my 36 yesterday.  Really tough with my bad right eye.
I was using 30 Gr 3F, .350 ball and18 patch. n Shooting the same hole at about 15 yds.  I just cannot see any better if I move it out.  Shooting at a mark about the size of a quarter.
I had a nice ragged one hole for most shots.  With a few off mark here and there.
Do you guys think 30 Gr is enough.
I also have a 8" gong at 65yds and was hitting that every time.  So it must not drop off too much?
I was just thinking, a 30-40 Krag and 30 30 Winchester both were designed initially for black powder and they only used 40 and 30 gr respectivly??

[MeliusCreekTrapper]

What is your load you are using?  I was shooting my 36 yesterday.  Really tough with my bad right eye.
I was using 30 Gr 3F, .350 ball and18 patch. n Shooting the same hole at about 15 yds.  I just cannot see any better if I move it out.  Shooting at a mark about the size of a quarter.
I had a nice ragged one hole for most shots.  With a few off mark here and there.
Do you guys think 30 Gr is enough.
I also have a 8" gong at 65yds and was hitting that every time.  So it must not drop off too much?
I was just thinking, a 30-40 Krag and 30 30 Winchester both were designed initially for black powder and they only used 40 and 30 gr respectivly??

I was shooting 35 and 40 grains 3F Goex, .350 ball and spit lubed .018 patch. Swaged balls from Gander Mountain (old stuff) and hand cast from an old Dixie scissors mold. All shots in the ten ring at 25 yards off the bench. I'd like to get back to the range with some thicker patching, like .022 denim and see if I can tighten the group up a bit. My patches did have a few nicks from sharp rifling, so I need to address the muzzle, like I have read on here using a ball and some emery cloth.

[Daryl]

What is your load you are using?  I was shooting my 36 yesterday.  Really tough with my bad right eye.
I was using 30 Gr 3F, .350 ball and18 patch. n Shooting the same hole at about 15 yds.  I just cannot see any better if I move it out.  Shooting at a mark about the size of a quarter.
I had a nice ragged one hole for most shots.  With a few off mark here and there.
Do you guys think 30 Gr is enough.
I also have a 8" gong at 65yds and was hitting that every time.  So it must not drop off too much?
I was just thinking, a 30-40 Krag and 30 30 Winchester both were designed initially for black powder and they only used 40 and 30 gr respectively??

I use the same ball dia. in my .36, Bigmon, however I use 38gr. of 3F GOEX. I used to use .36gr. in the .32 barrel on this rifle, and after removing all I could from the horn measure, 38gr.
is the load. When I use a different powder horn, I use an adjustable and run it at 40gr. This load shoots quite well and the little bunny rabbit silhouette at 109yards gets hit if I don't screw up & flinch from the flash.
The 2 ctg. you mentioned are and were always smokeless rounds, 30 and 40gr. respectively.

[alacran]

Very nice rifle. It is really long or you are very short. The incised carving is well done and crisp. Skwerls will be proud to be kilt by it.

[MeliusCreekTrapper]

Very nice rifle. It is really long or you are very short. The incised carving is well done and crisp. Skwerls will be proud to be kilt by it.

The rifle has a 45 inch barrel, I am 5 foot, 8. I am still waiting for the first suicidal squirrel to offer me a shot.