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A Day With The Crocketts

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Joined
Sep 22, 2005
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Location
Montana
Usually when I hunt small game with a patched round ball I use my .54 or .58 caliber guns with a light powder charge. Yesterday I realized it had been years since I took out my .32 caliber Crockett rifle. I decided to take it on today's grouse/snowshoe hare hunt and brought along my Crockett pistol too. I've taken grouse and squirrels with the rifle before. The pistol has gone to the range many times but I've never carried it hunting.
Crockett .32 Cal Grouse and Snowshoe Hunt 040.JPG


Here's a look at the guns.
Crockett .32 Cal Grouse and Snowshoe Hunt 131.JPG


If you're not familiar with the Crockett pistol, it doesn't have a ramrod channel (or come with a ramrod). I made a ramrod for it and designed a holster that would hold the ramrod. Even though the pistols grip keeps the ramrod from coming out I added a thong to ensure it stays in place.
Crockett .32 Cal Grouse and Snowshoe Hunt 161.JPG


Crockett .32 Cal Grouse and Snowshoe Hunt 167.JPG


Crockett .32 Cal Grouse and Snowshoe Hunt 170.JPG


Back to the hunt.

I hiked up high and covered quite a bit of ground but wasn't seeing any birds. I decided to hike back down to my vehicle and try another area. When I was about 100 yards from the dirt road I was parked on I jumped a grouse. I raised the rifle, took a head shot and missed!

Luckily, I think the ball whizzing past the birds head confused it for a second. I quickly pulled the pistol and shot the bird. This is the first game taken with this gun. I went to my vehicle, cleaned the bird and put it in the cooler. Then I headed to one of my favorite snowshoe hare areas.
Crockett .32 Cal Grouse and Snowshoe Hunt 158.JPG


It was getting late. I only had about an hour of light left to hunt. I started working the cover, looking for a hare. After about 30 minutes a hare ran from a patch of cover and paused with a tree partially blocking its head. I raised the rifle, held just behind the hare's left leg and fired. This time I didn't miss. This is the first snowshoe hare I've taken with this gun.
Crockett .32 Cal Grouse and Snowshoe Hunt 234.JPG



It was starting to get dark so I headed back to my vehicle to clean the hare. It was a great day!
Crockett .32 Cal Grouse and Snowshoe Hunt 248.JPG
 
Last edited:
Awesome hunt! It’s amazing that you actually shot a grouse on the fly with your pistol. That, my friend, is very impressive 👏
Looks like you had some tasty supper!
Oh yes, by the way, your leather work looks very good!

Thank you.

I didn't mean to give the impression that it was flying. When I said I jumped it, the grouse was bedded and hidden but showed itself when I approached. I'm sure it was about to fly when I shot.


Super cool. Great hunt. Nice looking guns too.

Makes me wish I’d been there!
Good shooting and many more days like it.


Thank you both!
 
Usually when I hunt small game with a patched round ball I use my .54 or .58 caliber guns with a light powder charge. Yesterday I realized it had been years since I took out my .32 caliber Crockett rifle. I decided to take it on today's grouse/snowshoe hare hunt and brought along my Crockett pistol too. I've taken grouse and squirrels with the rifle before. The pistol has gone to the range many times but I've never carried it hunting.
View attachment 165175

Here's a look at the guns.
View attachment 165176

If you're not familiar with the Crockett pistol, it doesn't have a ramrod channel (or come with a ramrod). I made a ramrod for it and designed a holster that would hold the ramrod. Even though the pistols grip keeps the ramrod from coming out I added a thong to ensure it stays in place.
View attachment 165179

View attachment 165180

View attachment 165182

Back to the hunt.

I hiked up high and covered quite a bit of ground but wasn't seeing any birds. I decided to hike back down to my vehicle and try another area. When I was about 100 yards from the dirt road I was parked on I jumped a grouse. I raised the rifle, took a head shot and missed!

Luckily, I think the ball whizzing past the birds head confused it for a second. I quickly pulled the pistol and shot the bird. This is the first game taken with this gun. I went to my vehicle, cleaned the bird and put it in the cooler. Then I headed to one of my favorite snowshoe hare areas.
View attachment 165177

It was getting late. I only had about an hour of light left to hunt. I started working the cover, looking for a hare. After about 30 minutes a hare ran from a patch of cover and paused with a tree partially blocking its head. I raised the rifle, held just behind the hare's left leg and fired. This time I didn't miss. This is the first snowshoe hare I've taken with this gun.
View attachment 165178


It was starting to get dark so I headed back to my vehicle to clean the hare. It was a great day!
View attachment 165181
I always enjoy your stories and it was great being able to take some game with your Crockets. I took my Crocket rifle out yesterday and shot it for the first time. All I can say is it was a great experience. Great shooting!
 
A fun day. That's a great job on the holster. You could sell those.


Thank you!

I always enjoy your stories and it was great being able to take some game with your Crockets. I took my Crocket rifle out yesterday and shot it for the first time. All I can say is it was a great experience. Great shooting!


Thank you! Hope you enjoy your Crockett. They're fun little guns
 
Nice shooting. I also enjoyed your story.


Thank you!

Nice, I have both of the Crockett’s but have not hunted with them yet. I really enjoy the rifle but have not had the pistol long and have only had it out once. I may “borrow” your holster idea.


Feel free to borrow the holster idea. That was the best solution I could think of. Its working well so far.
 
the photos rely put us right into the hunt with you. a great article! the LILL CROCKETS PUT MEAT ON THE TABLE!
 

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