cva question

[Phoneman]

I have a brand new cva optima pro. Took to the range for the first time today. Things started out poor though. My trusty bsa scope I mounted on the gun is junk. couldn't keep on a 4 foot piece of card board. Before any one jumps to conclusions let me explain. I mount scopes for people every day. so it's not an issue of being loose. first shot was 1 in. low at 50 yards. second shot was off paper, third shot was no where to be found. put the bore sighter back on the gun and it was 4 foot left. Scope has been used on 3 other rifles and had a hard life. he is now buried in the bottom of my parts drawer. So I put the open sights back on and held nice groups.

  My question though since I am new to 209 ignition ML's. When I took the plug out of the gun to clean it there was a-lot of build-up were the pellets sit when loaded. I am useing some left over winchester primers and 100 gr. of pyrodex pellets. pushing a powerbelt. Does any one know what could be causeing the build-up? Maybe too hot a primer. or am I not cleaning  well enough between shots? I don't clean but about every 5 shots. there was also a-lot of build-up around the end of the plug.  Any info would help out a-lot. Thanks

[Lane]

Ya, we call that a crud ring.

If ya change to American Pioneer Powder FFFg that will disappear!

Or you can swab the bore with 90% alcohol wet patches between shots, followed be 2 dry patches.  This will keep the Ring under control.  Pyrodex is really corrosive and dirty, so don't be surprised if it takes 4-5 wet patches, front and back to get her clean.

Hope this helps

[TN.Frank]

I must be missing something because I've never thought that Pyrodex was "dirty", in fact, as a long time REAL Black Powder shooter I'd say that Pyrodex is a lot cleaner the real black. Here's a quote from the Hogden site.
"Pyrodex RS - Rifle/Shotgun Powder Pyrodex RS can be used in all calibers of percussion muzzleloading rifles and shotguns. It has a wide application of uses and is the most versatile powder in the Pyrodex line. Like all grades of Pyrodex, it burns cleaner and produces less fouling than blackpowder. RS compares to 2F blackpowder on a particle size basis."

Also, the fouling that Pyrodex makes is self-lubricating from all that I've read about it, in fact they don't recomend that you swab between shots.  
 Personally, I do have a problem with Pellets because of the price. I won't buy em' because it just too easy to measure out and make pre-loads from RS. Anyway, different strokes for different folks I guess.  In Frith.  :wink:

[Phoneman]

This is my first time useing pellets. Have always used pyrodex though.
 Did some reading on pellets and they are supposed to burn more consistent and use the full charge quicker because of the hole in the middle of them. which increases velocity and accuracy. I probably put 30 rounds through the gun before I took it apart and cleaned it to put away until next time.

Is there a primer that is better than the rest or is it all the same?

What is the most accurate round you guys have used in that gun so far?