Hello all, I recently was gifted my first ML (used) and am looking for some more information as to it's identity/background to help me better understand what I've got and what I am getting into! I read on some CVA's having some barrel issues a couple years back. I want to be sure I'm safe. What I know:
The Barrel is marked as Connecticut Valley Arms .50 Cal Mountaineer. Made in Spain on one side and what appears to be proof marks on the other.
I measured the threads at 1:48 (tape on tight patched ramrod)
The stock is attached with a single pin/wedge, has 2 ramrod lugs with brass finishing on the lugs, trigger guard, and forearm. Seems to be a cross between a Hawkens and a Bobcat styling from google pictures, but the CVA mountaineer name seems elusive.
Took it out to the range with my benefactor. I was told it shoots best with MaxiBalls w/ 80gr fffg I think they were 437gr? (.890" Long, .500-.504" dia) It grouped inside a dinner plate at 50 yards (iron sights), but a few 'keyholed'. I'm told it hates patched roundballs. I have not yet confirmed this myself.
Also, if someone out there has some magic numbers already dialed in for this make/model.... I'd really appreciate any info you could give me to save some time on trying out what load combinations work!
The recall was for an inline model that caused some injuries in the late 1990s, you should be fine. The 1:48" twist of the rifling is a compromise, allowing you to shoot patched balls or minie balls and is NOT optimal for either. With that said, I have a T/C Hawken with the 1:48" twist that will cloverleaf 3 shots as 50 yds.
The MaxiBalls I'm familiar with are flat-bottomed bullets made for the T/C Hawken, which is slightly constricted at the muzzle, causing the bullets to be "engraved" by the rifling as you load the bullet. This causes a very tight fit. You have to "pop" the bullet down the first few inches of the barrel with a bullet starter until it clears the restriction. Does yours do this? If not and the bullets load fairly easily, you should try some hollow base bullets that will expand and fill the rifling on detonation. Make sure you clean the barrel after every 2-3 shots with a dampened patch or bronze brush.
Hitting dinner plate groups at 50 yds. from a bench rest is really not acceptable--whether it is the fault of the gun and OR the shooter. I'd stick with the 80 grains and experiment with various bullets--you can even try the .50 cal Powerbelts sold by WalMart.
I have one that my 11 year old grandson shoots. We shoot a .490 round ball, .015 patch and 50 gr of Goex. He won 3 turkeys at the last turkey shoot with it. Nice light rifle with a smooth trigger. Ours has the original sights but otherwise looks just like yours. I bought it 3 years ago at the flea market in Friendship for $60. It looked unfired.
The Maxiballs given to me are flat bottomed as you described with the dimensions I listed. I am assured they are cast of nearly pure lead from a medical source. I don't have a scale to group them into similar lots. They are difficult to start, requiring the short starter. We filled the lube grooves using Bore Butter. (I understand this may not be the best out there from other forums. Will experiment with many of the concoctions listed in these forums later)
I'm sure a lot of the inconsistency of the group is me. It's a big upgrade from my scoped .22 and not the same mechanics as the pump 12 ga.. I admit I have lots to learn. We fired 6 shots (no cleaning). I will run a damp patch or brush down every 2-3 shots next time out.
I will try the patched round balls and need to find a source for various conicals. The saboted rounds are available all over here.
So is this some sort of short run production model CVA Mountaineer? I still have not found any info or reviews on it in the wild?
Was able to get back out to the range this weekend. This time tried some Hornaday .490 RBs with CVA's prelubed .015 patches, Goex fffg @ 50 yds. Ran a damped cloth and dry cloth down every other shot.
7" groups w/ 60 grns
5" groups w/ 55 grns
2" groups w/ 50 grns
Question... if a .018 patch will fit (Need to find a local source), can I expect the groups to stay tight at higher loads (back to 60 grns)?
With a muzzle loader you can't expect anything. Each one is an entity unto itself. All you can do is experiment and see what works. FWIW I used 90 grains in my .50 Hawken with a 1:48 twist. Ironically its the same load I use in my .54 with a 1:66 twist.
With a muzzle loader you can't expect anything. Each one is an entity unto itself. All you can do is experiment and see what works. FWIW I used 90 grains in my .50 Hawken with a 1:48 twist. Ironically its the same load I use in my .54 with a 1:66 twist.
My dad and I got one for Christmas one year. 90 grains of powder and round ball is a good combination.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
The Firearms Forum
2.2M posts
71K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to all firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!