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CVA Hunterbolt 209
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I would like to start muzzle loader hunting next year but I have a limited budget for a new rifle. I was wondering if the above firepole is a suitable arm to start with and the general quality of CVA muzzle loaders?
Any other comments on powder (thinking of 777), bullets (thinking of PowerBelt Areotips), and other needed accesories would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Elk Country
 
Posts: 180 | Location: Northern Colorado, USA | Registered: 26 March 2002Reply With Quote
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I don't know much about CVA's except that their reputation is mediocre, though they may still be a great value --- For the money.

I'm a firm believer that you are doing well to get what you pay for and I never expect more. So I rarely buy cheap to start with the intention of upgrading later.

If you want to save bucks and get very good or even better performance, try real black powder - it is much cheaper than 777. And a roundball rifle (slow twist rifling) will let you shoot a lot more for the same amount of cash. BP is very hard to beat though 777 sounds like it is okay by fake-bp standards. The real thing, however, will never let you down.

Roundballs are probably not as good for hunting as heavy bullets. But, I use them a lot, and they do very well up to deer - big deer even moose (though I did not get to make the ultimate test on a big bull). So, for my book it is a little sacrifice in performance for a big savings in cash, and I tend to shoot a lot. A .54 roundball gun is pretty potent for anything that walks, but admittedly heavy conicals would have an edge in the largest game.

Brent
 
Posts: 2257 | Location: Where I've bought resident tags:MN, WI, IL, MI, KS, GA, AZ, IA | Registered: 30 January 2002Reply With Quote
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You may want to check Colorado's Hunting Regs before you make any choices. Colorado like many other states was trying to maintain the primative firearms season as it was originally enacted/intended.
The rifle mentioned would go over into the regular gun season in the past (do not know current regs).

That said, some of the traditional Black Powder firearms are selling at very reasonable prices since they flurry to go to modern versions of muzzle lading firearms.

A 54 caliber round ball will work for what you want to do.

IF the inline is acceptable in Colorado then I can say that the CVA will likely fill ones needs to launch a projectile at a game animal. I have been testing a CVA Mag 50 using traditional caps and Black Powder and have had little trouble finding a load with 44 caliber bullet and sabot that would easily take any game animal (deer) I want to hunt out to 100 yards. IF I were going for elk I feel that the bullet weight would have to go up to accomplish the harvest and I have NOT tested performnance with anything heavier than 240 at this time.

Plans are to test 300 grain 44 and 45 caliber bullets over the next several months as time allows.

I will hunt with 210 grain 0.430 HP with sabot, 230 grain 54 and 188 grain 50 caliber round balls.

CVA is to Black Powder . . . well muzzle loaders what Savage smokeless powder rifles are to cartridge firearms, nothing fancy, reasonably priced and they will function as designed.

LouisB
All just opinion of course [Smile]
[Smile]

[ 10-12-2003, 17:12: Message edited by: TCLouis ]
 
Posts: 4270 | Location: TN USA | Registered: 17 March 2002Reply With Quote
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TCLouis,
Thanks for the opinions on the CVA's. I don't have the budget to buy a top end rifle so I just need something reliable, not fancy. (By the way, I happen to own and love my Savage 112 in .223!)
It is legal to use inline ML rifles, even with 209 primers, but Pyrodex pellets, sabots and scopes are not. I will be using this rifle for elk and was also thinking about the Hornady Great Plains bullet. I was told that 777 is supposed to be the best powder but it's almost twice as much as Pyrodex. You sill have to clean it no matter what powder you use!
Talk at you later,
Elk Country

[ 10-10-2003, 18:54: Message edited by: Elk Country ]
 
Posts: 180 | Location: Northern Colorado, USA | Registered: 26 March 2002Reply With Quote
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Elk Country
Funny how wildlife agencies try to hold to a standard, but yield here and there on some issues and finally have a mess of exceptions to deal with. I have no qualms with using the word Primative and severely limiting a season as well as more open rules. Heck fall and winter (the huntable part) is not long enough to break out all of the varibles in firearm, bow, pointed stick, and club available.
I have not shot or been around any 777 in use, but the delay in ignition with Pyrodex and the ease of cleaning up after Black Powder guarantees I will stick with Black Powder. Black powder is getting very difficult to buy on the open market due to the storage requirements (bet the insurance folks are VERY difficult to deal with on this also). I have not tested ignition of pyrodex with the inline in either standard cap or 209 mode. That will be part of the experimentation for later in the winter. You may want to go with the pyrodex, if 777 is twice as much. I will be willing to bet the elk can NOT tell the difference from his end.
Thorough clean-up is required for all of the powders so that part is a wash. It does take 2-3 times longer to clean the inline as it does to clean the sidelock, maybe more. I am going to spin a new 209 breech plug this winter and see if I can reduce the leakage there.
Bullets . . . It will pay to buy several different brands and styles to include those by CVA. I tested several different bullets that shot well out of other muzzlelaoders I own and NONE of them shot accurately enough to continue testing. I tried them all with both FFG and FFFG and they were producing patterns, NOT groups at 25 and 50 yards.

It will take several more pounds of Black Powder and even some pyrodex to complete testing after seasons close!

LouisB

Go forth and convert that elk into some FINE eating. The trip to their country is worth it no matter what.

Heck, if all goes well I will be there competing with you for one of those Colorado elk next muzzleloading season!
 
Posts: 4270 | Location: TN USA | Registered: 17 March 2002Reply With Quote
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