Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders 32cal

Very first "scratch" built muzzleloaders I made was a .32. Prolly about 1978. Douglas barrel, Pecatonica stock, and a Siler small flintlock built from a kit. Squirrel killing machine. Wasnt too pretty but a shooter!

That's a nice little gun Mart. I built one of those TC 54cal Hawkin kits back in the 70's. It was amazingly accurate.
Too bad I didn't see your post before the auction ended. I tried to contact the seller but understandably Gunbroker doesn't want folks doing deals without paying their commission so they block the e-mail.

What about the Traditions guns. I hear allot of bad mouthing on the forums but the reviews from folks that actually buy them are pretty good over all. They're actually better than Pedersoli's which is surprising since people seldom admit that a product they pay allot of green for is a stinker.
I'd just buy the Pedersoli and be done with it but a $300 savings isn't exactly chump change to a poor ol carpenter.

Either way, setting out on the deck last night with a glass of Burbon and watching the Cottontails and Squirrels scampering around about convinced me that I really "need" one this fall.

Maybe Woodie'll build me one.

Charlie,

The second rifle I built was a fullstock Hawken style rifle. Again Pecatonica stock, Douglas bbl, and I think I used an L & R lock. This was like 1979. And this ended my career as a ML rifle builder! LOL

I put a slew of them kits of all kinds together , but that was it!!!

I only built (err,,, assembled) the one TC Woodie.
I also bought a used 36cal Navy revolver. They were both fun to shoot but about 1975 I got my first real bird dog and traded em both for a beat up Charles Daley 20ga SXS thus ending my short lived career as a ML shooter.

I've never owned a Traditions but the few guys I know that have them like them. They are solid guns. With a little trigger tuning and if you go with a flintlock, a little tuning of the system, they can be a great shooter.

In the muzzleloader fraternity, as with all the other disciplines, there are no shortage of armchair elitists for whom only the finest, custom made, tricked out gun will suffice. And they will be quick to point out the faults of anyone else's choice.

Out in the real world where we actually shoot and hunt what we have, whether it's a Traditions, a no name build that's not period correct, a TC, a Lyman or a fine custom, they all work. I wouldn't be afraid of a traditions. I like muzzleloaders, especially flintlocks, but I am not period correct with my guns. Some guys are and that's all right. I like shooting them.

I will add. In those days before I go me a mould to run ball, I used buckshot I'd cut out of shotgun shells. I think I used 0 buckshot. Best I rember without looking! Worked great.

I have looked at a buckshot size chart and it looks like 0 buckshot is .32 diameter. Would that be difficult to find a patch for? I have a T/C Cherokee with .32 and .45 barrels and a .32 Navy Arms Mule Ear rifle. Now that I have retired I want to squirrel hunt with these rifles. Factory swaged round balls are pricey and not always easy to find. Hornady sells 5# boxes of buckshot. If that would work I would be set.

get a mould and roll em.

I have those items saved to my favorites bar but I'm still trying to decide.

The Traditions price is the best I've found but the Pedersoli can be had for less.

Been over 35 years and lost lots of brain felled since then ! Whatever size buckshot I was using I used a .010 patch with no issue. Until I got me a Lee .310 RB mould. Still have it around here somewhere. Mould that it.

I have used 0 buck with .005 patches to good effect. They are available through Track of the Wolf or they were the last time I ordered.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=504421843#PIC

That one isn't in near as good of shape and he wants six fitty for it.

I have a NIB Pedersoli Pennsylvania.32 percussion I would sell for 700.00 + shipping.