Old guy with new rifle

[tomaldridge]

I'm not sure how it happened, but there's a new CVA Hunter Bolt .45 rifle in my case.  I've been shooting and reloading for decades, but know absolutely nothing about this blackpowder stuff.  I want to shoot this rifle in carefully, learning its likes and dislikes, and I don't know here to start.   It's primary use will be as a deer rifle.   I own common reloading tools, and have 209 primers on hand.  I own no black powder accessories.   For the experienced shooters:  If you had to start over, what would you do?  What would you avoid?

[quickdtoo]

Start readin!

http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2h.muzzleloader.htm

[BuzzKill]

Hey Tom-
I have had the same firearm as you for nearly three years now.  I like it's performance very much.  I use between 85-100 gr loose Triple 777 FFg powder in it with 225 gr Powerbelts.  I think the CVA has a nice barell and it shoots well at that.  Ity has been very dependable, never misfired, and shot during the last two seasons in the rain.  I would try 80 or 85 gr 777 or Pyrodex powder with powerbelts first.  I have never tried pellets, but they could be a lot less hassle.  I have never had a problem with the breech plug as long as I coat it with my antisieze lube.  I would not use Bore Butter on the bore, sabot or for protection.  I would stick to Rem Oil or similar for protection during storage.  I clean the gun very promptly after use with hot water and a .45 cal bore mop.  I take the barell off, put the muzzle end down in a bucket of hot soapy water, and use several strokes with the bore mop in and out of the water, up and down the bore.  Spend a lot of time up near the breech end as crud build up will be worse there.  After this I do use a quick patch with copper solvent on it as I use the powerbelts.  Clean dry with several dry patches and then run a lite coat of Rem Oil down the bore.  That is the easy part.  I have found that with the bolt, blow back is horrible in this and other similar guns.  Your breech plug, bolt, firing pin assembly and bolt housing will be covered in burnt primer blow back residue.  I drop the plug and bolt parts into the hot soapy water to soak while I scrub the inside of the bolt housing.  Very difficult to get clean, but a brass 16 or 20 ga. brush with solvent will eventually work.  I do have some permanant staining in this areas as it is nearly impossible to get fully clean.  Clean and oil the parts, replace plug with antisieze, oil up all exterior metal surfaces and spray a small amount of oil on the trigger assembly.  I t is a blast to shoot as it is very accurate.  I shoot with two buddies having 50 cal TC encore and omega.  I can outshoot them, however the Omega is now right there with me.  Ask away with any questions as there are many good people here in similar situations.  BuzzKill

[Kodiak-50]

My Hunter Mag likes  240 gr. Percision bullets pushed by 100 grains of Pyrodex loose.  1.5 in. groups at a hundred even with my 54 year old eyes.