CVA mountain rifle goes to the range

[O.S.O.K.]

OK, got me a nice CVA mountain rifle (54 cal, slow-twist patched round ball barrel) - here's a couple pics of it:

Just after I got it:
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/HPIM0397.JPG

After I cleaned it up and refinished the stock:
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/HPIM0401a.JPG
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/HPIM0403.JPG

At the range: (50 meters)
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/HPIM0407.JPG

Target:
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/HPIM0411.JPG


There's only two holes because I ran out of powder in my flask... plenty back at the ranch but not at the range, so had to stop at that point :o

I experimented with different loads and patch thicknesses and I got the best group (2"/50 meters) with Hornady round balls (.530"), TC wonder lubed .015" patches and 100 grains of Graf's ffg.

Was using CCI magnum #11's but they were a tad bit small for this rifle's nipple.

Anybody know how much bigger a musket cap is? Because I'm wondering if the nipple is for musket caps - the #11's bulged on one side considerably - did give 100% ignition, but I'd rather get the right caps if it needs muskets...

[MDman]

well that certinly looks like fun.

[Phantom Captain]

Nice rifle! I very much like your refinish.

On the cap issue, musket caps are MUCH larger than your standard #10 or #11 caps. Double or triple even the diameter. It's not even close!

So yeah, don't go buy any to try them out!

[mykeal]

Like Phantom Captain said, musket caps are way too big for your gun.

If CCI #11's are consistently too small you might try polishing the nipple with some emery cloth. or get a new nipple. They are not expensive. Just be sure you get the right thread - my CVA Mountain rifle uses M6x1 nipples, but yours might be different, so be sure to measure it. You will probably need a metric thread gage from the local hardware or tool store.

[Sarge]

Very nice rifle- looks like it's gonna make a shooter, too.

I'd ditch the bulged nipple, and just replace it with a nipple made for musket caps. That's exactly what we did with this Traditions Hawken (http://www.thesixgunjournal.net/traditions.html) and it sure worked out well. The group in the photo was shot at 100 yards. Ingnition is noticably faster and the gun shoots as well as it ever did. Also, don't let the slow twist cheat you out of trying conicals, if you want to. This particular 1:66 barrel will shoot them just fine with a stiff charge.

[O.S.O.K.]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies and advice!

I checked out the musket caps today at the local Cabelas - like you said - way too big. So, I just took the nipple out and chucked it into my drill press and polished it some. #11's still fit pretty tight, but they seem to go on straight now. Set on off in the vice and I gotta tell you -there's nothing mild about them - plenty of poop.

I got some additional advice on another board - use less powder (like 80 grains), use a wonder wad under the patch and tap the powder measure to settle the charge for more even weights - and also tap the barrel after pouring the charge in.

So, we'll see.

Cabela's didn't even stock wonder wads for .54! I was going to get some more .015" patches too, but they didn't have them either! Jeeze.

Track of the Wolf got my order and it'll ship Priority Mail.

Cabela's is still the best bet for Goex though... and caps.

Oh, and this won't be seeing any conicals as I have a TC Renegade with 1:48" twist for that :D

I'll post the results after I get a chance to go back to the range.

[geez768]

my mountain gun shoots very well with patch and ball. good to see another that does. i was looking to pick another one up. maybe ill get another good one. :)

[O.S.O.K.]

Oh - I should have read this before posting in your other thread - so you do have the same model.

I understand that I will get much better accuracy with reduced loads and by using a wonder wad, so I'm givin that a try - just got some wads from Track of the Wolf today. :D