Ozark Mountain Arms Muskrat Rifle .36 Cal

[Tom in Pittsburgh]

These date back into the 70s and 80s. Anybody have any experience with one of them? I would appreciate load recommendations, as well as information on who made the barrels, locks, and triggers.

TIA

[bob208]

with any muzzleloader the general rule is shoot the caliber. for your .36 a starting load would be 35 gr. of 3f work up or down from that.

[mooman76]

with any muzzleloader the general rule is shoot the caliber. for your .36 a starting load would be 35 gr. of 3f work up or down from that.

I agree except with smaller calibers like 32/36. They tend to do better or as well with smaller powder charges more like pistols. In this case I would start with 1/2 the caliber size in powder grains so start with 15 or 20 gr and work up or down from there. heavy charges in the smaller calibers tend to just waist powder and make accuracy fall off some what.

[Maven]

Tom, Sam Fadala published data for your rifle in his "Black Powder Loading Manual" (DBI Books, 1982). He primarily used GOI FFFg powder with a .350" swaged Hornady RB and .020" Ox-Yoke prelubed patches + CCI #11 caps:

20grs. FFFg -> 1,477fps
30grs. FFFg -> 1,721fps
40grs. FFFg -> 2,015fps

40grs, FFg -> 1,751fps.

According to Fadala, the rifle was "highly accurate" with the 20 and 30 gr. loads, but "accuracy fell off with the 40 FFFg (sic) load." (All of the above may be found on p. 152 of Fadala's book.)

[bedbugbilly]

I've never seen one of these - at least that I know of! Any way you could post a photo of it? Just the name of it - "Ozark Mountain Muskrat Rifle" makes it sound interesting!

In my .36 under hammer - Green Mountain Barrel - 36" - I use a .350 ball and for me, it shoots best at around 28 gr of 3F. I'm just "plinking" at 25 and 50 yards. Your rifle may shoot a whole lot different than mine - different barrel length, etc. Start on the lower end and work up until you find something that works for the distance you are shooting. Good luck with 'er!

[Tom in Pittsburgh]

Well, you guys are great -- but I jumped the gun :(

There was one of these for sale on GunBroker, and I put in what I thought would be a killer, sure-fire winning bid -- but lost out while I was sleeping last night.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=428498770

I had one of these back in the early 80s -- when they were still in production. That's how I knew about the "Muskrat Rifle" name.

Oh, well -- maybe next time around.

Thanks for all the good info. Will stick with my .40 caliber percussion poorboy for now...

[Nobade]

That sure looks like the barrel and lock used on the Dixie squirrel rifle. If it is, I wouldn't have paid that high a price for it. But it sure has some sexy wood! I bet it would be a neat little rifle to shoot.

-Nobade

[GARD72977]

Really nice but dang that is a lot for a production gun. Looks like better fit and finish than any of the shelf gun if have seen

[Boogieman]

Ozark Mt. Arms was a semi-custom maker located in Southern Mo. It was sold & moved to Ar. near Millwood sometime around 1983. I think the new owner's name was Robert McKellar don't know when He quit building rifles.
He used quality parts & his guns were well thought of around here. The gun pictured on Gunbroker has a Siler lock

[JeffinNZ]

Maven in on the mark with Sam's data. I guy in my club has an underhammer .36cal RB rifle. Shoots 60gr 3Fg. Dang thing roars like a tiger and sprays lead everywhere. You can't tell him though.

[Odinbreaker]

I have a Cva 36 cal 1x48 RB with 20 gr T 7 good to 40 Yds. 25 Yd is 20 gr for squirrel.