CVA 54 cal. 1:38 twist

[hangfire mike]

Hi does anyone have any info on loads for this twist does not like round balls tried maxi and Buffalo bullets little better but no consistency 
black powder from 70 grains up to 120 pyrodex same thing buffalo bullet are heavy 520 grain I think, kicks like a mule
any help will be greatly appreciated . It's  a CVA RMEF Elk Hunter

[30-06man]

Have you tried a lighter conical? take a look at these. my brother says thats what works best in his traditions kentucky rifle http://www.blackwidowbullets.com/bulletcalibers.htm

[hangfire mike]

Thanks those do look interesting I was going to try something lighter sabots and bullets of some kind but I may order the venom's to try out
I will keep trying to find something it shoots well enough for hunting.

[30-06man]

I think you will like that conical.

[huntersmurf]

Ya might try some NoExcuse 535 grain conicals in it too.

[Buckskins & Black Powder]

Hi does anyone have any info on loads for this twist does not like round balls tried maxi and Buffalo bullets little better but no consistency 
black powder from 70 grains up to 120 pyrodex same thing buffalo bullet are heavy 520 grain I think, kicks like a mule
any help will be greatly appreciated . It's  a CVA RMEF Elk Hunter

Try a hornady great plains conical or a heavy powerbelt.

You also need to re-read your manual and take notice to the 400 grain conical limit.  With a .54, it may allow a little heavier, but you should contact cva and ask what the limit on that model is.
Great plains conical really shot well out of y cva staghorn with the same twist your rifle has.

[30-06man]

Yes that is the first thing you should've done when you got the gun. Always read your instruction manual no matter how boring it is.

[hangfire mike]

Hi I bought the gun cheap no manual or breech tool had to get one after the first time shooting couldn't hardly seat a round ball guess you get what you pay for when you buy a used BP rifle never know how it's been took care of. Very hard to remove sabot plastic and or powder
fouling, lots of hot soapy water and a little comet on a wet patch six or seven run thoughts, bore looks good loads easy just no consistence on target not shoot it much 60 or so times, round ball's didn't expect to do too good but couldn't get much out of the bullets ether but it might be a little on the shooter  didn't like the recoil much, a lot lighter than my T/C Hawkins. I live in WV and really don't need a mag. load just for deer really didn't need a 54 cal but it was cheap and needed a home. Have been shooting BP since 1977 but this is my first in line. I appreciate any help with bullet powder loads and safety suggestions! I like my head the way it is well maybe not the dense or empty part.

[smokepolehall]

Well now i looked at those Blk-widow bullets. Just maxi-balls with plastic in the nose. It should shoot prb's with up to 80 grs. powder, sometimes its a hit or miss on what they like to shoot. It may shoot sabots well? I had a 54 Renegade that shot prb great accuracy at 90 grs. of 2f, but using 100 made the group open up to 5" at a hundred yds. That was not acceptable so 90 grs. was stout enough. Its hard to tell another a load as each ML does its own thing. I would back off to 70 grs. of powder and go from there. All my ML's like Blk. powder but some powders mine didn't shoot at all. I have always got maxi-balls to shoot good and REAL conicals too. Didn't try maxi-hunters cause the others worked good.

[30-06man]

It acts as a wedge when you hit game and expands very well. They are very accurate.