Hi, I'm a bit shy about jumping in here cause I'm new to the forum but I started shooting muzzleloaders back around 78 so thought I might be able to help you out some. I started with flintlocks. I have used muzzloading rifles, pistols, and shotguns from 36cal. up to 72cal. Love them all. Tons of fun.
The biggest factor with the rifles is the rate of twist in the rifling. The older side lock guns tended to be 1/48 and 1/66. The higher the number (the slower the twist), the better it did with round balls such as 1/66 or 1/72. The lower the number (the faster the twist), the better it did with bullets such as 1/48 or 1/32. These new inlines tend to be 1/28 or 1/24.
If your cva is an inline it probly has a 1/28. The lower the twist rate number (faster twist) the longer the bullet you want to use. This is true with modern cartrige rifles also. A 1/28 will normally do best with a 250 - 300 grain bullet. A 1/24 twist would tend to do better with 300 - 500 grain bullet.
Using loose powder gives you the advantage of fine tuning your best groups just like reloaders. I started with a load and adjusted it 5 grains at a time till I found the load I wanted. For 50 cals. with the old side locks and that slower twist rate it was around 75 grains for me. With the new inlines and the faster twist rate around 90 grains has worked best for me. It will very some with different powders, bullet weights, and primers or caps. You can tell when you get the best load when the rifle makes a really sharp crack sound. Not just a boom sound. It is very destinctive. Easy to hear the difference. Tuning in a good load is half the fun.
Hope you have fun with it.
Thanks Chief that's some good info. And jump in anytime you want we don't bite. 😆 we maybe lacy. 😆 😆
welcome chief glad to see more guys huntin and shootin black powder on here. like you said workin out loads for your specific gun is most of the fun and the reward sein them groups sure feels good to.
Hi, I'm a bit shy about jumping in here cause I'm new to the forum but I started shooting muzzleloaders back around 78 so thought I might be able to help you out some. I started with flintlocks. I have used muzzloading rifles, pistols, and shotguns from 36cal. up to 72cal. Love them all. Tons of fun.
The biggest factor with the rifles is the rate of twist in the rifling. The older side lock guns tended to be 1/48 and 1/66. The higher the number (the slower the twist), the better it did with round balls such as 1/66 or 1/72. The lower the number (the faster the twist), the better it did with bullets such as 1/48 or 1/32. These new inlines tend to be 1/28 or 1/24.
If your cva is an inline it probly has a 1/28. The lower the twist rate number (faster twist) the longer the bullet you want to use. This is true with modern cartrige rifles also. A 1/28 will normally do best with a 250 - 300 grain bullet. A 1/24 twist would tend to do better with 300 - 500 grain bullet.
Using loose powder gives you the advantage of fine tuning your best groups just like reloaders. I started with a load and adjusted it 5 grains at a time till I found the load I wanted. For 50 cals. with the old side locks and that slower twist rate it was around 75 grains for me. With the new inlines and the faster twist rate around 90 grains has worked best for me. It will very some with different powders, bullet weights, and primers or caps. You can tell when you get the best load when the rifle makes a really sharp crack sound. Not just a boom sound. It is very destinctive. Easy to hear the difference. Tuning in a good load is half the fun.
Hope you have fun with it.
Super info very informed post!
OK, I'm going out Tue. to get 250 grain T/C Shockwave's super glide ,777, and primer cap's.. Any other info would be greatfull. Going to head out with john and play with the ML on Tue.. :rockon
