.32 Rifle selection question

[UndeadPoet]

If you had your choice of a .32 Traditions Crockett rifle or a .32 Pedersoli Kentucky rifle, which would you choose, and why? Both with double triggers, both percussion, Crockett is half-stocked and has a 32” barrel (I think), and the Kentucky is full stocked and has a 35.5” or 36” barrel (I think).

 

[QuinnTheEskimo]

I have 3 Crocketts and while I really like them, I don’t think the quality is the same as the Pedersoli guns. The Crockett is probably lighter with the half stock and 3/4” barrel if that matters to you.

 

[UndeadPoet]

I have 3 Crocketts and while I really like them, I don’t think the quality is the same as the Pedersoli guns. The Crockett is probably lighter with the half stock and 3/4” barrel if that matters to you.

Thanks, Quinn. I think the Pedersoli probably has a 13/16” barrel (but I am not sure). (Silly) Question - Why do you have 3 Crocketts? Do they perform differently or do you use them for different things? Just curious.

 

[Resolve]

I’ve shot both and I’ve cleaned both. They each have their pros and cons but to me are two distinctly different rifles. They feel totally different from each other when shouldered. I would definitely try to handle each to determine if you prefer the feel of one over the other. Then you can compare pros and cons of each if still undecided.

 

[64Springer]

I'd buy a Traditions. Because it's not a Pedersoli.

Pedersoli's are high priced questionable quality. But they sure are pretty to look at.

So pretty you won't want to fire them.

Because that's why you pay 1400 dollars for a 700 gun. To look at it.

Performance be damned.

 

[azmntman]

I have owned and shot both. The crockett was more accurate and easier to handle. The Pedersoli very nice looking but a much bigger pain to swipe between shots (absolutly necessary for me anyway) and clean. Save the money and get a Kibler kit. Then yer upgraded to flintlock with a VERY REPUTABE rifle with a likely appreciate VS depreciation, gonna be more accurate and you can chose the wood, metal finish etc.

 

[UndeadPoet]

I'd buy a Traditions. Because it's not a Pedersoli.

Pedersoli's are high priced questionable quality. But they sure are pretty to look at.

So pretty you won't want to fire them.

Because that's why you pay 1400 dollars for a 700 gun. To look at it.

Performance be damned.

Thanks. I have two Pedersolis (a .45 Pennsylvania Dixie percussion rifle and a .54 Blue Ridge percussion rifle). The only Traditions I have is a .50 Kentucky pistol. I like all of them.

 

[UndeadPoet]

I have owned and shot both. The crockett was more accurate and easier to handle. The Pedersoli very nice looking but a much bigger pain to swipe between shots (absolutly necessary for me anyway) and clean. Save the money and get a Kibler kit. Then yer upgraded to flintlock with a VERY REPUTABE rifle with a likely appreciate VS depreciation, gonna be more accurate and you can chose the wood, metal finish etc.

Thanks for the info. Good to know about accuracy and swabbing. I don’t disagree about the Kibler.

 

[SDSmlf]

If you had your choice of a .32 Traditions Crockett rifle or a .32 Pedersoli Kentucky rifle, which would you choose, and why? Both with double triggers, both percussion, Crockett is half-stocked and has a 32” barrel (I think), and the Kentucky is full stocked and has a 35.5” or 36” barrel (I think).

I have owned a 32 caliber Crocket and still own a 32 caliber Pedersoli Scout with both percussion and flint setups. Both had issues, but would not trade two Crockets for one Pedersoli Scout. Different price points. The Scout I have has a just under 13/16” by 28-1/2” barrel and balances well. I do not know the dimensions of the Pedersoli Kentucky, but imagine in 32 caliber would be little muzzle heavy. The 32 caliber Crocket found a second stock that was cut down to a 12” LOP for a niece that I would not now want to challenge to a shooting competition. Young eyes are amazing.

Get what you like. Doubt either brand will be perfect, but both can be made to shoot accurately.

 

[QuinnTheEskimo]

Thanks, Quinn. I think the Pedersoli probably has a 13/16” barrel (but I am not sure). (Silly) Question - Why do you have 3 Crocketts? Do they perform differently or do you use them for different things? Just curious.

I have 3 daughters, I’m always hopeful that we’ll all have time to go squirrel hunting together but it never seems to happen. Ones in med school, ones in nurse practitioner school and the youngest is in vet school. Maybe in a few years.

 

[Y2GREY]

I really enjoy shooting my .32s. That said consider the fact that any .32 with a patent breech will be more difficult to clean. Neither of mine (Hatfield or Soddy) are patent.

 

[Tenbears]

I would Go with the Pedersoli. as a dealer of both brands I see far less problems with the Pedersoli

 

[tomm9903]

I just ordered a Crockett in kit form from gun broker. All said and done $550. I hope to have it together before squirrel season opens. I have noticed that they are hard to find most anywhere. They are out of stock at all the places I usually shop for such items. Any way so far all the reviews that I have come across seem to really favor the Crockett. I guess I’ll find out.

 

[minish]

Dixie Gun Works has the Pedersoli Scout kit in stock for $695. I have both the crockett and the scout and I much prefer the Scout.

 

[minish]

Also, as far as I know the Kentucky has a single trigger.

 

[30coupe]

Also, as far as I know the Kentucky has a single trigger.

My .45 Pedersoli Kentucky definitely has a single trigger, so I would think the .32s do also. The Frontier .32 I have has double set triggers. Mine is percussion, and I have nothing bad to say about it. The Scout is a shorter version of the Frontier with a bit more brass, similar to the deluxe Frontier. I have no experience with the Crockett rifles, so I wouldn't attempt a comparison. Word is they are very accurate little rifles.

Someday I hope to have a Kibler myself. Bucket list item

 

[tomm9903]

I got my Crockett today. Now all I have to do is find the time to go to work on it. Looking forward to getting it ready for squirrel and rabbit hunting.

 

[ETipp]

I got my Crockett today. Now all I have to do is find the time to go to work on it. Looking forward to getting it ready for squirrel and rabbit hunting.

Good luck with your new Crockett. I like mine fairly well and have done well with mine squirrel hunting but I do wish we had more options for .32 muzzleloader rifles. Going off of mine, as well as what I have read and seen on video's, Crockett Squirrel Rifles will shoot about as accurate as you can from average squirrel hunting distances. I have no problems cleaning mine, especially the breech. A ball short starter is not needed with my Crockett Rifle, which suits me just fine. Patch and ball are easily started with fingers/thumb and then seated with the ramrod.

This is not to say that I have not experienced any issues with mine. The factory ramrod is total, undersized junk. Not only was it cut too short, but its too small diameter for the thimbles, which makes it a rattle trap even when walking through the woods. There is no excuse for producing such an inferior ramrod on a ML that cost so much. I finally got fed up with it and built up my own ramrod out of a hickory blank from TOTW.

The under barrel rib was cut too short, thus leaving a gap between the rib and the front of the stock. That is only cosmetic but it still incorrect and totally uncalled for.

Also, the nipple threads are too sloppy. That, in turn, results in leakage around the nipple. This one concerns me. TOTW sells a 7-1 metric nipple and thread repair kit as a replacement for the 6-1 metric nipple. Looks like I'll be needing to order one soon. For now, I've been using thread tape as a gasket but that too, is a royal pain.

The factory nipple is also too small diameter for #11 caps. TOTW 6-1 nipples rectifies that issue. I have no idea what percussion cap sizes they use in Europe but they must be smaller diameter than #11 caps.

My Crockett Rifle is fairly nice overall but it appears that quality control was on vacation when it was pushed out the door. As a result, I doubt I will ever purchase another ML from Traditions.

Indeed, it would be nice to have more .32 ML rifles to choose from.

 

[andy52]

I have owned and shot both. The crockett was more accurate and easier to handle. The Pedersoli very nice looking but a much bigger pain to swipe between shots (absolutly necessary for me anyway) and clean. Save the money and get a Kibler kit. Then yer upgraded to flintlock with a VERY REPUTABE rifle with a likely appreciate VS depreciation, gonna be more accurate and you can chose the wood, metal finish etc.

X2

 

[tomm9903]

Good luck with your new Crockett. I like mine fairly well and have done well with mine squirrel hunting but I do wish we had more options for .32 muzzleloader rifles. Going off of mine, as well as what I have read and seen on video's, Crockett Squirrel Rifles will shoot about as accurate as you can from average squirrel hunting distances. I have no problems cleaning mine, especially the breech. A ball short starter is not needed with my Crockett Rifle, which suits me just fine. Patch and ball are easily started with fingers/thumb and then seated with the ramrod.

This is not to say that I have not experienced any issues with mine. The factory ramrod is total, undersized junk. Not only was it cut too short, but its too small diameter for the thimbles, which makes it a rattle trap even when walking through the woods. There is no excuse for producing such an inferior ramrod on a ML that cost so much. I finally got fed up with it and built up my own ramrod out of a hickory blank from TOTW.

The under barrel rib was cut too short, thus leaving a gap between the rib and the front of the stock. That is only cosmetic but it still incorrect and totally uncalled for.

Also, the nipple threads are too sloppy. That, in turn, results in leakage around the nipple. This one concerns me. TOTW sells a 7-1 metric nipple and thread repair kit as a replacement for the 6-1 metric nipple. Looks like I'll be needing to order one soon. For now, I've been using thread tape as a gasket but that too, is a royal pain.

The factory nipple is also too small diameter for #11 caps. TOTW 6-1 nipples rectifies that issue. I have no idea what percussion cap sizes they use in Europe but they must be smaller diameter than #11 caps.

My Crockett Rifle is fairly nice overall but it appears that quality control was on vacation when it was pushed out the door. As a result, I doubt I will ever purchase another ML from Traditions.

Indeed, it would be nice to have more .32 ML rifles to choose from.

I guess when I get started on this thing I’ll have to keep an eye out for these issues. Thanks for the feedback.