mauser58
My home is a sports store
A little while ago, a fellow MDSer and owner of Saint Firearms in Essex told me he had a .36 cal CVA Squirrel Rifle in his shop. Shortly thereafter, the Squirrel Rifle left with me.
The first time I shot it, the temp was like 25* and I only shot it at 16 yards. I could see it had potential even at that range. A previous owner had added a Williams Peep sight to the rear of the barrel but it was too low for my face so I replaced it with an old CVA sight I had laying around. I also put a Patridge front sight on and removed the bead type that was on there. My old eyes need a wider sight these days.
Fast Forward to a few days ago, and I got to wring it out at 50 yards. The attached targets are the last two I shot just to show the difference a patch makes. Prior to shooting them, I worked through 25 to 40 gn loads using .350 Hornady balls and Pyrodex P powder.
The shots in the outfield are different patch material/thickness that didn't work. Those in the X ring are what works well. I buy all my patch material from Joannes fabric store and I take a micrometer (not a caliper ) when I go shopping. Additionally, I do not wash my patch material as I use a water based lube (Ballistol and water 8 to 1) which softens the sizing in the fabric just fine.
These targets were shot from a front sandbag rest at 50 yards with the open sights. To say I am happy is a vast understatement. Considering my old eyes, it is amazing that I did so well. As I said before, these two targets are representative of all the others I shot that day. I shot almost 100 rounds and got many x rings hits. I now have four types of patch material that work well with this rifle.
As for loads, 25, 30 and 40 all gave 1 to 11/2 inch groups with the good patches. 35 grains was the magic number though. Also, I have learned not to clean when shooting on .32, .36 and .40 cal rifles. Why I don't know but you get better groups if you don't clean. With my .45, 50 and .54's I clean between shots to get the best groups.
BTW, last weekend, BP was totally out of Pyrodex and they must have had 50 pounds the week before.
Good deal John. You just dont see any of these Squirrel rifles anymore. I have wanted one for years. I bought one many years ago from Montgomery Wards clearance store. I gave it to one of my sons at the time. He still has it. Yeah they are cool Black powder percussion rifles. By the way where exactly is Saint Firearms? I know the Gun Shop in Essex but not Saint