i'd love a 32cal rifle

mwells72774 · December 24, 2012, 02:03 PM

what are some of the better ones out there but are affordable on a poor man's budget?

Hawg · December 24, 2012, 02:16 PM

Better and affordable don't really go together. Cabela's has the Traditions Crockett on sale for 469.99 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Tradi...h-All+Products

Pahoo · December 24, 2012, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Better and affordable don't really go together. Cabela's has the Traditions Crockett on sale for 469.00

Ya got that right and as far as new, this is about the only thing available. Now on used, there are still quite a few around but you have to hunt them down. TC Cherokee comes to mind but again, they are not cheap. You did not state Traditional or In-Line. TC use to make a System-1 in .32. Check out Pedersoli and see what they are listing. ....

Be Safe !!!

B.L.E. · December 24, 2012, 02:27 PM

One reason you don't see more small bore "squirrel rifles" is that caliber has little to do with the overall cost of a rifle. It costs just as much to make a .32 as it does to make a .54. Most shooters, especially those new to muzzleloading think bigger is better so if they see a .54 and a .32 at the same price, they go for the .54.

Hawg · December 24, 2012, 03:03 PM

There's some nice .32's on Track of the Wolf but are priced accordingly.

mwells72774 · December 24, 2012, 03:09 PM

if someone knows where one is for trade, let me know. I Use #11 and 209 primers now for the 50's I have, so sticking with those would be nice.

local gentleman had a cherokee in 32 and a 45 barrel to go with it, saw my ad the day after he sold it.

Old Grump · December 24, 2012, 03:39 PM

delete

arcticap · December 26, 2012, 02:50 AM

Traditions lists their .32 Deer hunter for $299 which has a wood stock and adjustable lite optic sights. And it's also factory drilled & tapped for scope mounts.

http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/pr...cfa3bc824cf352

It's easiest to call Traditions directly to order:

Traditions Performance Firearms
1375 Boston Post Road
P.O. Box 776
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Phone# 860-388-4656

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday 7:45am-4:30pm
Friday 7:45-3:15pm

Beagle333 · December 26, 2012, 07:40 AM

I'd like to have a .32 for shooting squirrels and targets,

but we couldn't use it for deer here. Only .40 or larger.

Hawg · December 26, 2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

I'd like to have a .32 for shooting squirrels and targets, but we couldn't use it for deer here. Only .40 or larger.

.35 and larger here. The .35 Whelen is pretty popular.

Beagle333 · December 26, 2012, 09:20 AM

VA allows a .36 cal. I wonder who allows a .32? Somebody must, since it's called a .32 Deer Hunter

PetahW · December 26, 2012, 12:19 PM

You migh just want to try a .32 before buying one, if you know anybody with one.

I once had a jones for a .32, myself, and bought a like-new T/C Hawken stock/lock with a 28" green Mountain drop-in .32 bbl installed for $350 from another site's classifieds.

Actually using the .32 turned out to be a horse of another color, though - since the tiny ball was a PITA to patch/load, etc, although very decently accurate.
Cal .32 accessories are so hard to find, that it's easier to self-make them, too.

OTOH, I soon sold it & bought a .36 for small game (I already had another "over .40 cal mandated for deer", larger frontstuffer).

Compared to the .32, the .36 was MUCH easier to patch/load, just as accurate, and more importantly, carried the ball further with accuracy.

YMMV, of course - but that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it !

.

bedbugbilly · December 27, 2012, 07:46 PM

CVA used to make a .32 "squirrel rifle" - I had one that was a left handed rifle. I'm not a big fan of CVA as far as rifles but it was a pretty good little shooter. I bought it used down at Friendship and it had a scope on it. It turned out to be a nice shooting little rifle and pretty accurate.

I used to shoot at an informal shoot once a month. One of the guys had a H & A underhammer fitted with a .32 caliber barrel. It was kind of a standing joke as he showed up each month with a powder flask and the rest of his supplies, caps, patches, balls, etc. in a musket cap tin. A lot of kidding but when it came down to the picking of prizes - he was usually first. It was his only gun and gave credence to the old saying . . . "beware of the man who shoots one gun".

You might keep track of what is on gun broker and put a WTB in the classifieds here and see what shows up.

Pahoo · December 27, 2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Compared to the .32, the .36 was MUCH easier to patch/load, just as accurate, and more importantly, carried the ball further with accuracy.

This has been my experience as well. Started out hunting squirrels with one of my .50's than went to a .32 and eventully settled in with my .36. .....

Be Safe !!!

B.L.E. · December 27, 2012, 11:13 PM

I use a TC Hawkin with a GM .36 caliber drop in barrel. It's really sweet to shoot and very accurate.
I have been using Hornady 000 buckshot with a .020 patch. It's hard to shoot cheaper than that.
Recoil? What recoil?

Pahoo · December 28, 2012, 11:51 AM

Quote:

what are some of the better ones out there but are affordable on a poop man's budget?

Far be it for me to tell you how to spend your money but unless you have actually worked with a .32 SideCocker, might I suggest you do so. I'd just hate for you to be disappointed in it's performance. I had one and eventually sold it as I really prefer and enjoy my .36. Again, it's entirely you call. ....

Enjoy and;
Be Safe !!!

mwells72774 · December 28, 2012, 12:43 PM

Im starting to consider a .36. Reloading supplies are EVERYWHERE locally and seems a little more user friendly.

I did snag a older H&R 45 caliber huntsman from a friend for $60. thought I'd be able to use .457"s that I cast but thats a no-go

December 24, 2012, 03:39 PM	#7
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	delete __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster-- Last edited by Old Grump; December 27, 2012 at 09:14 PM.

December 26, 2012, 02:50 AM	#8
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	Traditions .32 Deer hunter Traditions lists their .32 Deer hunter for $299 which has a wood stock and adjustable lite optic sights. And it's also factory drilled & tapped for scope mounts. http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/pr...cfa3bc824cf352 It's easiest to call Traditions directly to order: Traditions Performance Firearms 1375 Boston Post Road P.O. Box 776 Old Saybrook, CT 06475 Phone# 860-388-4656 Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 7:45am-4:30pm Friday 7:45-3:15pm

December 27, 2012, 07:46 PM	#13
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	CVA used to make a .32 "squirrel rifle" - I had one that was a left handed rifle. I'm not a big fan of CVA as far as rifles but it was a pretty good little shooter. I bought it used down at Friendship and it had a scope on it. It turned out to be a nice shooting little rifle and pretty accurate. I used to shoot at an informal shoot once a month. One of the guys had a H & A underhammer fitted with a .32 caliber barrel. It was kind of a standing joke as he showed up each month with a powder flask and the rest of his supplies, caps, patches, balls, etc. in a musket cap tin. A lot of kidding but when it came down to the picking of prizes - he was usually first. It was his only gun and gave credence to the old saying . . . "beware of the man who shoots one gun". You might keep track of what is on gun broker and put a WTB in the classifieds here and see what shows up. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

December 24, 2012, 02:03 PM	#1
mwells72774 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2011 Posts: 325	i'd love a 32cal rifle what are some of the better ones out there but are affordable on a poor man's budget? Last edited by mwells72774; December 28, 2012 at 12:40 PM.

December 24, 2012, 02:16 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Better and affordable don't really go together. Cabela's has the Traditions Crockett on sale for 469.99 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Tradi...h-All+Products

December 24, 2012, 02:27 PM	#4
B.L.E. Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX Posts: 2,603	One reason you don't see more small bore "squirrel rifles" is that caliber has little to do with the overall cost of a rifle. It costs just as much to make a .32 as it does to make a .54. Most shooters, especially those new to muzzleloading think bigger is better so if they see a .54 and a .32 at the same price, they go for the .54.

December 24, 2012, 03:03 PM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	There's some nice .32's on Track of the Wolf but are priced accordingly.

December 24, 2012, 03:09 PM	#6
mwells72774 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2011 Posts: 325	if someone knows where one is for trade, let me know. I Use #11 and 209 primers now for the 50's I have, so sticking with those would be nice. local gentleman had a cherokee in 32 and a 45 barrel to go with it, saw my ad the day after he sold it.

December 26, 2012, 07:40 AM	#9
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	I'd like to have a .32 for shooting squirrels and targets, but we couldn't use it for deer here. Only .40 or larger.

December 26, 2012, 09:20 AM	#11
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	VA allows a .36 cal. I wonder who allows a .32? Somebody must, since it's called a .32 Deer Hunter

December 26, 2012, 12:19 PM	#12
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	You migh just want to try a .32 before buying one, if you know anybody with one. I once had a jones for a .32, myself, and bought a like-new T/C Hawken stock/lock with a 28" green Mountain drop-in .32 bbl installed for $350 from another site's classifieds. Actually using the .32 turned out to be a horse of another color, though - since the tiny ball was a PITA to patch/load, etc, although very decently accurate. Cal .32 accessories are so hard to find, that it's easier to self-make them, too. OTOH, I soon sold it & bought a .36 for small game (I already had another "over .40 cal mandated for deer", larger frontstuffer). Compared to the .32, the .36 was MUCH easier to patch/load, just as accurate, and more importantly, carried the ball further with accuracy. YMMV, of course - but that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it ! .

December 27, 2012, 11:13 PM	#15
B.L.E. Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX Posts: 2,603	I use a TC Hawkin with a GM .36 caliber drop in barrel. It's really sweet to shoot and very accurate. I have been using Hornady 000 buckshot with a .020 patch. It's hard to shoot cheaper than that. Recoil? What recoil?

December 28, 2012, 12:43 PM	#17
mwells72774 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2011 Posts: 325	Im starting to consider a .36. Reloading supplies are EVERYWHERE locally and seems a little more user friendly. I did snag a older H&R 45 caliber huntsman from a friend for $60. thought I'd be able to use .457"s that I cast but thats a no-go