OK guys - help!

[Ladobe]

Well, after 50 years of hunting/shooting, it looks like I've procrastinated long enough gentlemen... time to buy a smokepole.   Many years ago I shot BP skeet and trap some (with pards guns), and did a few deer hunts with 50/54 Hawkens about the same time - then it kind of slipped away.   I'd like to break back into it varmint hunting - digger types (getting too easy with the modern arms), mostly ground squirrels, prairie dogs and badger.   Am trying to work a deal long distance for a 36 cal squirrel rifle, but the seller seems to know zip about the rifle's specs.   Its a CVA, and in excellent condition.  But, I don't know what twist, if rifled or not, barrel length, overall length, etc., etc., etc.   I tried emailing CVA - that was a waste of time...  guess they don't offer "customer service" when its a discontinued product.   Anyway, can someone here help me with all the specs for a CVA 36 cal Squirrel Rifle?

Also, will a .345 RB mold be the way to go with this one?

What all am I going to need?  (all I still have are two of my scrimshawed powder horns, a bullet bag and an adustable brass powder measure).

Any comments, suggestions, etc will be greatly appreciated.   I'm going to have to relearn how to do everything.

Thanks,

Ladobe   :bye:

[HWooldridge]

You can figure out twist pretty easily.  Mark one side of the ramrod then push a tight patch on a jag slowly thru the barrel.  The ramrod will rotate with the rifling.  If you are lucky the rod will make one complete turn then you measure the distance it has gone thru the barrel to make that rotation.  Most ML's are so slow that you'll only make one half revolution but just double the number and you get the twist ratio.

I would say a ball .010 under barrel dia so a .365 ball should work in a .375 barrel but twist may affect whether you use ball or bullet.

[Charles/NM]

I have a Dec 1993 CVA catalog that shows a .32 caliber Hawken styled percussion rifle called the CVA Varmint Rifle.  All the other rifles in this catalog are either .50 or 54 caliber.  Are you sure the rifle you're considering is a .36 caliber?  If it is a .36 caliber the specs might be similar to the .32.  The ad copy says the 24" long, 7/8" octagonal .32 caliber barrel has 1 turn in 56" .008" to .010" deep grooves.  The barrel is drilled and tapped for CVA scope mounts.  Has brass butt plate, trigger guard, wedge plates, nose cap and ram rod thimbles.  Case hardened lock with 45 degree offset hammer.  Aluminum ram rod, single trigger, 40" overall length and weighs 6 3/4 pounds.  Sights look like the ones on a T/C Hawken.  
Charles/NM

[Ladobe]

:arrow: - HWooldridge:
Thanks for the reply.   The rifle is still 2000 miles away, and I don't have a tape measure that long pard.    :wink:   Do know how to determine twist when I actually have it in hand - but thanks for the great instructions anyway.

Are you sure the rifle you're considering is a .36 caliber?

:arrow: - Charles:
Really appreciate your trouble to supply all those specs for the 32 sir.   Probably a safe bet is this 36 will be very close to the same as it at least for the overall and barrel lengths, and probably the flats.   Don't know if the twist would be, or for sure what ball size it'll take.   And yes, it is a 36 cal BTW.   Guy sent me a bunch of pictures he took of it... I'll include the one below that shows the barrels markings.

Still need more info if anybody can help.   Thanks gents,

Ladobe

[propredator]

I belive you have a CVA Bobcat Squirrel rifle.A fellow who goes by the name of Runner on the CVA blackpowder forum has one,and is quite pleased with it.
 10 prelubed 50cal patch cut at the muzzle
 20gr of 777 sighted at 35 yards
 60gr max for the long stuff
 xxx buckshot or 350 rb,the buckshot works good and runs about $10 for 500 balls.
 The guns were and may still be avaliable at Deer Creek Products new in the box for $137 + shipping.
 Cva dosnt make the guns any more in 36 but some are still out there new.
 hope this helps :-)

[propredator]

Forgot to mention he says Buffalo Bullets makes a conical for it.Im not sure but im thinken the twist is a 1in48.

[Ladobe]

propredator -

Thanks for all the great info - it will come in very handy now that I did in fact buy the rifle.

It is apparently an early CVA model, maybe long discontinued, that according to CVA originally sold for $330 finished and $250 in kit form.   Looks quite a bit different than the recent/current Squirrel/Bobcat models, and has double set triggers instead of a single one.   Overall its aparently just shy of 41", but I won't be able to check twist until it gets here.

Already bought a .350 double cavity mould for it, but also plan to try the OOO buckshot and those conicals that you mentioned.   Will get some .010 patches, powder and caps on hand while waiting for it to get here.

If I enjoy it as much as I did many years ago, next up will be a custom - probably a 50, but maybe a 45 or 40.

I'll be hanging around these forums now - learning.

Ladobe
 

[propredator]

Ladobe nice gun,aint never seen one,looks like the cva varmit rifle but they come in 32 cal and dont have the double triggers.Hope you have fun with it.

[Ladobe]

Found a few brown boxes waiting for me when I got home last night.   Been a long wait, but the 36 Squirrel finally showed up among them.   Seller included a parts list exploded view for the rifle and letter from BPI that recommended a .350RB, .012-.015 patch and 10 min. to 36 max of 3F Pyrodex P.   And I have propredator's info to work with as well, and printed out another earlier thread here with a bunch of loads for the 36.

As luck would have it, there is a weekend rendezvous that started last night only about 30 miles away - guess I better run up to it this morning and see if anyone has/will loan a few supplies for a 36 so I can give it a go.  

BTW, the double cavity .350RB mould also showed up last night too - I like it when a plan comes together.