New Bobcat owner

[footsimoto]

I just picked up a new Bobcat (couldn’t resist the price) but I wish I would have read the directions before buying powder and balls, so, now I’m hoping that y’all can help answer some questions:

I bought round balls that measure .495.  CVA’s information booklet calls for .490 diameter balls.  Are the .495 balls safe to shoot in the Bobcat?

I also bought American Pioneer Powder Sticks.  However, CVA does not recommend using Pyrodex pellets in side-locks.  Are the Sticks in the same category as the Pyrodex pellets and therefore considered unsafe?

Finally, has any one changed the sights on these rifles?  To help out my tired old eyes I’m considering replacing the sights with the Lyman Hunter Sight set. Can you recommend any other replacement sights?

[gustmouse]

I have one of those rifles in 36 caliber, as for the sticks I wouldn’t use them. Get some loose 3F black powder. Pyrodex or Triple 7
 the balls may work if you can load them with a patch. But if you buy powder get some .490 round balls too!

[gustmouse]

or 2F

[Snowshoe]

As said get some Pyrodex, Triple7, or better yet some real black powder in 2 or 3f. The .495 will work with a 10th patch, but they may be a little tight to load. As far as sights go, I would get a set of Fire sights, they really show up.

[captchee]

.495 will work fine  and are safe . as said above you  will need a .010 or a ,005 think patch . i also would not use pellets . the pellets are not designed for these rifles  as such they do not fit correctly . get lose powder and you will not only be better off but will be able to find a correct load  to make the rifle accurate .
As to the sights , depends on which bobcat you have , some have a dovetailed buckhorn standard , others have a cheep version of a Winchester sight with no dove tail .
 Changing the sights  in either case is not a real big issue

[Slamfire]

I put a set of fire sights on mine, you'll have to file down the dovetail on the sights though, the metric dovetail is smaller than the standard inch size. The biggest problem with the .495 balls is usin' the thin patch, it might burn out. Other'n that, it oughta be safe. I'll go along with the loose powder idea though, and real black is cheaper, even with the hazmat fee for shippin' the danged stuff. Just buy 10 lbs at a time, mix the f grades up to make up the shipment. My rifle prefers the FFFg to the FFg, and Grafs pay the shippin'.