Author Topic: CHEAPER CVA More Accurate and easier Cleanup (Read 960 times)

EJ · « **on:** April 03, 2003, 06:39:37 PM »

Finally took the challenge today and confirmed what thought for some time.My cheaper CVA Hawkin rifle which haven't shot much the last years is more accurate and easier to clean then my more expensive ( five times the cost) semi-custom Southern Rifle..Both in 50 Cal.

Realize there are many factors affecting accuracy,ease of loading and of course the important,how long it takes to clean:How the rifling was cut.Whether barrel is broken-in.type of BP,size of ball,it's load,patch & thickness,lub..However,with all the above being equal,the CVA was more accurate at 25 yds.for after a couple of opening flyers was able to obtain two very close 3 shot groups with shots in each group touching.The Southern with four shots was somewhat scattered;Have achieved better groups with it,but nothing close to the CVA.This was disappointing.I haven't kept records of number of times CVA has been shot,but would guess somewhat over 100 rounds and keeping more detailed records on the southern,it being fired about 140 times.With some magnification at muzzle the bore in Southern,see more cutting marks,while the CVA bore seems much smoother.More shooting will further smooth Southern out and realize each rifle is different and I'll need to work more on right load,ball.patch and lub,etc.Concerning time tocleanup,(long-time frustration)the CVA,using Moose Milk took 6 patches to pre-clean some at range and once home some cold water and 3 more patches and patches came out white and she was done! Using same procedure,Southern took about twice as many.In conclusion,I do think strange that the first load tried today in CVA produced such a close group and still working on Southern's accuracy..Thoughts appreciated

Bob_K · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2003, 01:51:02 AM »

An interesting exercise is to see which of your rifles gives the best group of first shots out of a clean barrel. I started exploring this when I had a Hastings BP barrel for my Remington 1100. With 100 grains of Pryodex and a 370 gr Maxiball, I could get 1.5" groups at 50 yards, but only after a fouling shot or two. The problem was in hunting, it's only the first shot that counts. I finally figured out the the first shot out of the clean Hastings barrel would not stablize, and would go off to the right. I confirmed this by finally backing up to 25 yards and shooting a shot from a clean barrel, and catching the bullet sideways at the 3 o'clock edge of the paper. Thereafter, when going hunting, I would wrap a rag around my barrel (to minimize noise at 4AM), fire a round into my bullet trap in my garage, take the rag off and stomp the fire out, then reload and head out hunting. Sold the barrel and bought a Knight that seemed less sensitive to the problem. Ultimately started using other BP substitutes.

peter nap · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2003, 02:18:00 PM »

Welcome to the world. I've seen the same thing happen dozens of times. I expect that some serious tinkering and perhaps lapping with your semi-c8ustom will make it shoot better but price is never a sure way to determine shooting abilities.

The funniest thing is to see people at the range with their 2500.00 slug guns, get the pants beat off of them by someone using a 125.00 underhammer action, 300.00 barrel and a home grown stock.

simonkenton · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2003, 03:58:04 PM »

A fouling shot every time before you go hunting? I would have sold it too. I leave mine loaded during hunting season.

johnt · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2003, 04:28:09 AM »

EJ,
It's fairly typical for all these bp guns to want a specific load/combo.
The first thing that popped into my mind was
"Do they have the same twist ?"

Ironwood · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2003, 08:51:31 AM »

Simonkenton, I'm curious to know how long your hunting season is? I discharged my rifle everynight before leaving the woods. I thought that's what you were supposed to do. :grin: Are you shooting a patched round ball, conical, or saboted bullet?

EJ · « **Reply #6 on:** April 05, 2003, 08:51:37 AM »

Johnt,

Not sure about twist.As said,with each gun being different in load,patches,ball etc.,After the initial breaking-in,it just takes time and work to find what a particular rifle likes and it's all part of the enjoyment (sometimes frustration)

of BP shooting...Thanks all for the help

EJ