Finally, took a deer with the CVA Wolf

[anweis]

Finally, i killed a very large doe with the CVA Wolf. I used 80 grains of Blackhorn 209, a Nobel Sport primer, a Harvester crush rib sabot and a 250 grain .451 Hornady XTP. The shot was at 80 yards or so. I expected a complete penetration and some sort of "dead right there" effect. The doe ran 15 yards before dropping. The bullet hit a bit low on the front shoulder (humerus) bone, the bullet and shoulder broke to bits and pieces, and the bullet exited in three pieces, each in a different odd place of the body. I did not expect the bullet to fall apart on such a mild load. I still like this bullet, (i get incredible accuracy out of this load), but i will aim more carefully to avoid heavy bones in the future.

[Redhawk1]

Congratulations.. 

[tacklebury]

XTP's are pretty notorious for exploding on bones.  Try the 300 gr. XTP Magnums as there's no bone on N.American game that'll stop or splinter it by all reports.    I load these in my .45 LC Carbine going about 1800fps and it takes deer down very well and should always pass through at those speeds. 

[Jim_Ole_Timer]

Finally, i killed a very large doe with the CVA Wolf. I used 80 grains of Blackhorn 209, a Nobel Sport primer, a Harvester crush rib sabot and a 250 grain .451 Hornady XTP. The shot was at 80 yards or so. I expected a complete penetration and some sort of "dead right there" effect. The doe ran 15 yards before dropping. The bullet hit a bit low on the front shoulder (humerus) bone, the bullet and shoulder broke to bits and pieces, and the bullet exited in three pieces, each in a different odd place of the body. I did not expect the bullet to fall apart on such a mild load. I still like this bullet, (i get incredible accuracy out of this load), but i will aim more carefully to avoid heavy bones in the future.

Are you using the .451 dia or the .452 dia. The 452s are meant for muzzleloaders. The .451s are for cartridge using in 45 cal pistols and rifles, such as 45acp or Colt 45.
 
The 452 dia will give you much better performance and maybe even better accuracy, that is unless thats what you're already using.   

[lonewolf5348]

I did take a buck this year with the new cva optima my load 95 gr. BH209 with Hornady XTP .452 bullet 240 Gr.:The shot 80 yards the deer never took a step DOA I was surprise to see it do a 180 flip off it feet:
The bullet broke the shoulder going in and made a excellent exit hole I would it held together never did find the slug

[T.R.]

Those XTP bullets do a lot of damage.  I've had good luck with 'em too.
 
Congrats on your ML hunt.
 
Sounds like your CVA Wolf is a keeper!!
 
TR

[anweis]

Jim, the box says .452, but i measured the bullets at .4515; Regardless, i have the pet load for the rifle, i know the trajectory to 150 yards, and i have bullets, powder, sabots, and primers for the next 15 or 20 years (about 300 shots).

T.R., i am very happy with the Wolf. I would not replace it with any other muzzleloader. It is short, handy, balances well, and it is very very accurate. Also, it has a crisp, "breaks like glass", 3 lb. trigger.