Loads for a CVA Colonial .45?

Jon80 · January 31, 2010, 05:46 PM

Picked up an assembled Colonial for cheap money in good shape, I was thinking of using Pyrodex pistol pellets. (since I don't trust them igniting in my revolvers with CCI #10's) The musket caps should be hot enough to ignite the pellets reliably. Is 30 grains too much for this pistol? I was planning on using Speer .445 balls, should I patch them with the Pyrodex? I appreciate any advice, I can't find much info on shooting this pistol aside from the site issues.

simonkenton · January 31, 2010, 06:43 PM

Yes you need to patch the round balls.
That pistol will handle 30 grains, no problem.

That little pistol uses musket caps?

mykeal · January 31, 2010, 06:56 PM

The stock pistol as sold by CVA did not have a musket cap nipple; I presume it was modified later? Or perhaps the OP meant magnum caps.

Magnum caps should ignite the Pyrodex pellets; if not, use a small charge (2-3 gr) of loose powder before you load the pellet.

Simon is correct; 30 gr is within the capability of that barrel. I would think 40 gr is the limit it can burn effectively.

Jon80 · January 31, 2010, 07:28 PM

Yes, it uses musket caps. The salesman thought it was odd too, but they fit like a charm on it. The nipple on it looks fairly new.

mykeal · February 1, 2010, 10:18 AM

Musket cap nipples have larger thread diameters than regular pistol or rifle nipples; they come in 5/16X18, 5/16X1 and 8mmX1. The thread size for the regular CVA Colonial pistol is 6mmX1.

One explanation for the difference could be that the original nipple threads were corroded and it couldn't be removed, so it had to be drilled out. The smith then opened up the hole and installed the larger thread musket nipple.

In any case, this would be clue to me that the pistol may not have been well maintained, so check the bore very carefully. You might also want to remove the lock and barrel and check for corrosion underneath the wood. The drum may have a cleanout screw; that should also be removed and the area inside the drum inspected.

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January 31, 2010, 05:46 PM	#1
Jon80 Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 19	Loads for a CVA Colonial .45? Picked up an assembled Colonial for cheap money in good shape, I was thinking of using Pyrodex pistol pellets. (since I don't trust them igniting in my revolvers with CCI #10's) The musket caps should be hot enough to ignite the pellets reliably. Is 30 grains too much for this pistol? I was planning on using Speer .445 balls, should I patch them with the Pyrodex? I appreciate any advice, I can't find much info on shooting this pistol aside from the site issues.

January 31, 2010, 06:43 PM	#2
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	Yes you need to patch the round balls. That pistol will handle 30 grains, no problem. That little pistol uses musket caps?

January 31, 2010, 06:56 PM	#3
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	The stock pistol as sold by CVA did not have a musket cap nipple; I presume it was modified later? Or perhaps the OP meant magnum caps. Magnum caps should ignite the Pyrodex pellets; if not, use a small charge (2-3 gr) of loose powder before you load the pellet. Simon is correct; 30 gr is within the capability of that barrel. I would think 40 gr is the limit it can burn effectively.

January 31, 2010, 07:28 PM	#4
Jon80 Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 19	Yes, it uses musket caps. The salesman thought it was odd too, but they fit like a charm on it. The nipple on it looks fairly new.

February 1, 2010, 10:18 AM	#5
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Musket cap nipples have larger thread diameters than regular pistol or rifle nipples; they come in 5/16X18, 5/16X1 and 8mmX1. The thread size for the regular CVA Colonial pistol is 6mmX1. One explanation for the difference could be that the original nipple threads were corroded and it couldn't be removed, so it had to be drilled out. The smith then opened up the hole and installed the larger thread musket nipple. In any case, this would be clue to me that the pistol may not have been well maintained, so check the bore very carefully. You might also want to remove the lock and barrel and check for corrosion underneath the wood. The drum may have a cleanout screw; that should also be removed and the area inside the drum inspected.