Working up an accurate load.

Smokey 92 · December 13, 2009, 10:22 AM

Have a CVA Kodiak, and have not yet achieved acceptable (to me) accuracy.
Not sure at what point I try different powder/substitutes or bullett weights/brand. What is the logical order? Do I start @ 80 grs. of powder, work up to 100grs., then change bullets or try a different powder?

simonkenton · December 13, 2009, 10:53 AM

Start at 75 grains, and, in 5-grain increments, work up to 100 grains.
You don't need to go past 100 grains, and your accuracy would probably suffer.

If you aren't happy at that point, then try a different bullet.

Smokey 92 · December 13, 2009, 04:15 PM

Thanks Simon.
I also assume I should shoot 3 shot groups before moving up?
This CVA is proving to be an expensive endeavor, compared to my TC. It was dead on @ 100 yrds with 3 shots and first powder and sabot choice.

FrontierGander · December 13, 2009, 04:36 PM

would help if we knew what you were shooting. CVA's are very simple to sight in and get great groups. At least for me! LOL.

Smokey 92 · December 13, 2009, 06:01 PM

Have used 2 pellets of 777, 2 pellets of 777 magnum, along with 777 primers and 250gr Hornady sabots. Also tried above powder and 270gr Powerbelts. Swabbed between shots. 3 shot groups @ 10".
Same Hornady sabots with Blackhorn 209@ 100, 105, 110 grs., and Federal 209A primers, 3 shot groups about 8". Scope mounts tight. This is a great forum and have been helped alot so far. Appreciate advice from you all.

Note: not new to shooting. Also reloading for centerfire rifles and handguns for many years.

Doc Hoy · December 13, 2009, 06:31 PM

I don't shoot long arms. I don't hunt.

But is it possible Smokey is starting from the wrong angle?

It is the bullet that does the work. (Isn't it?)

My thought would be to choose the bullet first for the job you want it to do. Then mess with the powder.

I emphasize I am not a long arm shooter and may be way off here.

FrontierGander · December 13, 2009, 06:36 PM

wrong sabot. i replied on the other forum.

shortwave · December 13, 2009, 06:41 PM

Have never seen 270gr. Powerbelts.

My brother shoots a CVA, 295gr. aerotip Powerbelt, 75grns. 777 and usually CCI primers. Averages about 2" groups at 100yds.

I shoot same boolit, same primers and get same consistant 1 1/2" grouping with 95grns. American Pioneer out of Rem. 700 m/l.

One thing we both found out when shooting Powerbelts. Our groups shrank/more consistant when after shooting,swabbing, our last patch was veeery lightly Wonder Lubed.

As you know the sabot`s like things dry.

My advise would mirror simonkenton`s. Start out with a smaller volume of loose powder and work up.

Old No7 · December 13, 2009, 09:16 PM

To me, the sabots are MORE important to accuracy than the bullet.

If you haven't tried them yet, check for the Harvester "Crushed Rib" Sabots (from their website or Cabela's). They solved the problem I was having with a T/C Omega -- no bullets or other sabots would group at 50 yards (with peep sight).

The CR Sabots delivered 3-shots in 1" @50 using several different 0.451" bullets. You can get the crushed ribs in various sizes, based on what bullet you want to shoot.

Old No7

Smokey 92 · December 29, 2009, 12:50 PM

Oldno7, thanks for the reply. In looking at the sabots on the Hornady, they look very similar to the crushed rib, although I'm looking at a computer image of that and have the Hornady in hand.
Have also read about Dead Center bullets/sabots. Any good?

arcticap · December 30, 2009, 04:28 AM

You really should read all of the user reviews raving about them on the Cabela's website. Remember that these folks are paying to use them and not being paid to give their opinion. It would seem that with the right powder load that they have the potential to really deliver the goods:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...exId=cat601233

There were also a few favorable comments about them in out archives located by doing a search for "dead center". Look for the posts with the words in red:

Post #10:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ht=dead+center

Post #5:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ht=dead+center

And one more:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ht=dead+center

December 13, 2009, 04:36 PM	#4
FrontierGander Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: Boncarbo,Colorado Posts: 651	would help if we knew what you were shooting. CVA's are very simple to sight in and get great groups. At least for me! LOL. __________________ https://buckskinsbp.blogspot.com/

December 13, 2009, 06:31 PM	#6
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Folks, I don't shoot long arms. I don't hunt. But is it possible Smokey is starting from the wrong angle? It is the bullet that does the work. (Isn't it?) My thought would be to choose the bullet first for the job you want it to do. Then mess with the powder. I emphasize I am not a long arm shooter and may be way off here. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

December 13, 2009, 06:36 PM	#7
FrontierGander Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: Boncarbo,Colorado Posts: 651	wrong sabot. i replied on the other forum. __________________ https://buckskinsbp.blogspot.com/

December 13, 2009, 09:16 PM	#9
Old No7 Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Posts: 59	Try this... To me, the sabots are MORE important to accuracy than the bullet. If you haven't tried them yet, check for the Harvester "Crushed Rib" Sabots (from their website or Cabela's). They solved the problem I was having with a T/C Omega -- no bullets or other sabots would group at 50 yards (with peep sight). The CR Sabots delivered 3-shots in 1" @50 using several different 0.451" bullets. You can get the crushed ribs in various sizes, based on what bullet you want to shoot. Old No7 __________________ "Freedom and the Second Amendment... One cannot exist without the other." © 2000 DTH

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December 13, 2009, 10:22 AM	#1
Smokey 92 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 107	Working up an accurate load. Have a CVA Kodiak, and have not yet achieved acceptable (to me) accuracy. Not sure at what point I try different powder/substitutes or bullett weights/brand. What is the logical order? Do I start @ 80 grs. of powder, work up to 100grs., then change bullets or try a different powder?

December 13, 2009, 10:53 AM	#2
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	Start at 75 grains, and, in 5-grain increments, work up to 100 grains. You don't need to go past 100 grains, and your accuracy would probably suffer. If you aren't happy at that point, then try a different bullet.

December 13, 2009, 04:15 PM	#3
Smokey 92 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 107	Thanks Simon. I also assume I should shoot 3 shot groups before moving up? This CVA is proving to be an expensive endeavor, compared to my TC. It was dead on @ 100 yrds with 3 shots and first powder and sabot choice.

December 13, 2009, 06:01 PM	#5
Smokey 92 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 107	Have used 2 pellets of 777, 2 pellets of 777 magnum, along with 777 primers and 250gr Hornady sabots. Also tried above powder and 270gr Powerbelts. Swabbed between shots. 3 shot groups @ 10". Same Hornady sabots with Blackhorn 209@ 100, 105, 110 grs., and Federal 209A primers, 3 shot groups about 8". Scope mounts tight. This is a great forum and have been helped alot so far. Appreciate advice from you all. Note: not new to shooting. Also reloading for centerfire rifles and handguns for many years.

December 13, 2009, 06:41 PM	#8
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Have never seen 270gr. Powerbelts. My brother shoots a CVA, 295gr. aerotip Powerbelt, 75grns. 777 and usually CCI primers. Averages about 2" groups at 100yds. I shoot same boolit, same primers and get same consistant 1 1/2" grouping with 95grns. American Pioneer out of Rem. 700 m/l. One thing we both found out when shooting Powerbelts. Our groups shrank/more consistant when after shooting,swabbing, our last patch was veeery lightly Wonder Lubed. As you know the sabot`s like things dry. My advise would mirror simonkenton`s. Start out with a smaller volume of loose powder and work up.

December 29, 2009, 12:50 PM	#10
Smokey 92 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 107	Oldno7, thanks for the reply. In looking at the sabots on the Hornady, they look very similar to the crushed rib, although I'm looking at a computer image of that and have the Hornady in hand. Have also read about Dead Center bullets/sabots. Any good?

December 30, 2009, 04:28 AM	#11
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	You really should read all of the user reviews raving about them on the Cabela's website. Remember that these folks are paying to use them and not being paid to give their opinion. It would seem that with the right powder load that they have the potential to really deliver the goods: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...exId=cat601233 There were also a few favorable comments about them in out archives located by doing a search for "dead center". Look for the posts with the words in red: Post #10: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ht=dead+center Post #5: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ht=dead+center And one more: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ht=dead+center