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Welcome to our FAQ's Index. Click on any question below to read our response. Be sure you read and understand normal Muzzleloading Safety Issues.1. How can I tell if my muzzleloader is included in the CVA recall?
Answer: In August 1997, CVA implemented a Voluntary Recall of all In-Line rifle models with serial numbers ending in 95 or 96. Example: 61-13-XXXXXX-95, or 61-13-XXXXXX-96. If you have a CVA In-Line model with such a serial number do not use or allow anyone else to use the gun. If you have one of these riffles, call CVA immediately at 770-449-4687 for complete details and a replacement rifle.
In May 1999, Blackpowder Products, Inc. purchased the assets of Connecticut Valley Arms, Inc. and now operates under the trade name of Connecticut Valley Arms and/or CVA. Any claims relating to the above described Voluntary Recall should be addressed to Connecticut Valley Arms, Inc., not Blackpowder Products, Inc. Blackpowder Products, Inc. assumes no liability for any products manufactured or sold prior to January 1, 1998.
Answer: By far, the best performing projectile we have ever tested is the new PowerBelt™ Bullet -- which is probably best described as a bullet/sabot hybrid. Like sabots, the PowerBelt™ Bullet's patented snap-on plastic base creates a perfect gas seal, providing consistent pressures and unsurpassed accuracy. But unlike sabots, PowerBelt™ Bullets are full caliber sized, easy to load, and do not require cleaning after every shot. The PowerBelt™ is not a pistol bullet dressed up for use in a muzzleloader -- they are designed for muzzleloaders. In our tests the performance has been so superior that the PowerBelt™ Bullet has made sabots obsolete. PowerBelt™ Bullets are available in either copper-clad or pure lead. And, PowerBelt™ Bullets are legal in almost every state, including Colorado.
Answer: CVA does not sell replacement breechplugs or bolsters for sidelock rifles. If a sidelock rifle needs breechplug or bolster repair or replacement, the gun must be returned to CVA, as these items are factory repair only. Tampering with or removing the bolster or breechplug on a sidelock muzzleloader will void the factory warranty.
CVA’s patented interlocking breechplug/bolster system must be installed to specific torque settings in order to create a gas-tight seal. Once the interlocking pieces are installed, a communication hole must then be bored from the muzzle, through the center of the breechplug, and into (but not through) the bolster.
All In-Line rifles, however, have removable breech plugs. Therefore, these can be ordered as needed.
Answer: Yes. If the bore diameter measures 0.720”, a slug or round ball may be used. An acceptable combination is a .69 caliber ball with a lubricated 0.015” patch. Do not use a slug or round ball in a shotgun with choke or bore diameter less than 0.720”.
Answer: “Twist” refers to the number of inches the rifling requires to complete one revolution. Modern guns have a very fast twist. Muzzleloaders generally have a slower twist. The purpose of the twist, or rifling, is to impart a spin on the projectile, which helps to stabilize the projectile as it exits the barrel. Generally, a twist of 1 turn in 66”, expressed 1:66, is considered a slow twist. Twists of 1:32 and below are considered fast twists. A patched round ball projectile will perform better in a barrel with a slower twist, such as 1:66. Conical bullets will perform well in barrels with a faster twist, say 1:48 to 1:32. Sabots are the most twist sensitive projectile and tend to require fast twist barrels of 1:32 or 1:28. PowerBelt™ Bullets, essentially a bullet/sabot hybrid, is the most versatile of the modern projectiles and will give excellent results in any barrel between 1:48 and 1:28. PowerBelt™ Bullets are the best performing projectile for all CVA In-Line rifles.
Answer: All CVA rifle, shotgun, and pistol
barrels are manufactured in Spain. They are made using a cold-draw
process that creates rifling, finished bore diameter, and outside
dimensions in a single operation. Following the cold-draw process,
the barrels are stress relieved. This process provides a smooth,
concentric, accurate barrel that is free of inherent defects found
in barrels made using a multi-operation process.
Answer: No. The use of smokeless powder in any CVA muzzleloading firearm is extremely dangerous and may lead to severe injury or death.
Blackpowder and blackpowder substitutes have a constant burn rate, which generates a specific volume of gas during a given time period. Smokeless powder burns progressively faster as pressure builds inside the barrel. This progressive burning creates significantly higher pressures than blackpowder. It is important to remember that blackpowder refers to a specific type of powder, not the color of the powder. Always be sure to use blackpowder or an acceptable substitute, such as Pyrodex®, Triple 7, Pioneer Powder, Clear Shot, or Clean Shot.
Answer: Pyrodex® is a synthetic substitute for blackpowder. It yields similar ballistic results to those of true blackpowder.
There are two types, or granulations, of Pyrodex® Powder that are designed for use in muzzleloaders. Pyrodex® RS is for muzzleloading rifles, shotguns, and pistols; Pyrodex® P is for use in blackpowder revolvers. Because Pyrodex® is bulkier than blackpowder, it is used on a volume-to-volume equivalent with blackpowder. In other words, a powder measure set to measure 70 grains of powder would yield the same results ballistically with either Pyrodex® or blackpowder, but the measured charge of Pyrodex® would actually weigh slightly less than the same measured charge of blackpowder.
Pyrodex is now available in pellet form as well. Pyrodex Pellets are available in pre-measured weights of 50 or 30 grain equivalents for .50 caliber guns. For .54 caliber rifles they are available in 60 grain equivalents. When using Pyrodex Pellets, no measuring is required, making loading quick and easy. Also, an accurately measured charge is insured each time the gun is loaded. Pyrodex Pellets also feature a "fire channel," which is essentially a hole drilled lengthwise through the center of the pellet. This allows the pellet to ignite simultaneously throughout its length -- providing faster ignition and a more complete burn of the propellant charge than is possible with granular Pyrodex or blackpowder. However, Pyrodex Pellets do require a perfect gas seal. Therefore, it is necessary to use either saboted bullets or PowerBelt™ Bullets when using Pyrodex Pellets.
Other blackpowder substitutes with similar characteristics are Hodgdon Triple 7 and Triple 7 pellets, Pioneer Powder and Pioneer Powder Stix, Clear Shot, and Clean Shot. Pelletized powder is suitable only in the in-line rifles.
Answer: Ballistics data may be obtained from the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association in Friendship, Indiana, 47021. Additional information can be found in “Ballistics and the Muzzleloading Rifle” by William C. Herring. Hodgdon Powder Company also publishes a Powder Data Manual containing ballistics information.
Answer: When using authentic blackpowder it is very important to use the correct granulation for your particular gun. Using the wrong granulation can be extremely dangerous and lead to severe injury or death. There are four types of blackpowder available:
Note: FG (1F) is the coarsest granulation, and FFFFG (4F) is the finest. Click here to download a copy of the owner's manual for your CVA rifle or pistol.
Answer: No. Using a plastic patch is not recommended and will void the warranty. The plastic patch, or poly patch, as it is often called, is hazardous for two reasons. First, with a plastic patch, the potential exists to have any bump or jolt move the projectile away from the patch and cause a gap between the two, resulting in an improperly seated projectile. Second, use of improper size projectile and patch can also result in an improperly seated projectile. Both of these cases may result in damage to the barrel and possible injury to the shooter. For these reasons, CVA strongly discourages the use of plastic patches.
It is important to note that saboted bullets and PowerBelt™ Bullets, which use plastic incorporated with the projectile as a gas check, are of a different design than the plastic patch described above. Sabots and PowerBelt™ Bullets, therefore, do not present the same hazards. Caution should still be exercised when using sabots to make sure that the projectile is properly seated. Also, some sabots may actually be too large for some barrel bores even though they may be of the same designated caliber, resulting in an extremely tight fit. Such a tight fit may create hazardous conditions. Therefore, the shooter must exercise caution and use only sabots that are of proper size for his particular rifle. Consult your owner’s manual for recommendations. Click here to download a copy of the owner's manual for your CVA rifle or pistol.
Answer: Yes. In addition to the labor charge, the conversion requires the purchase of a new flintlock assembly. Our technicians can convert many barrels. In some cases, the flash hole liner used in a flintlock barrel is not interchangeable with the existing percussion bolster. In these cases, it will be necessary to purchase a new flintlock barrel as well. Some models that were not produced with both ignition systems cannot be converted.
Answer: Begin by centering the rear sight in both its elevation and windage adjustments. Fire a three (3) shot group at the target. If the group is to the right of center, move the rear sight aperture to the left. If shooting left, the move the aperture to the right. If the group is low, elevate the rear sight or file the front sight (traditional fixed sights only) until the group is centered. Click here to download a copy of the owner's manual for your CVA rifle or pistol.
Answer: To adjust the triggers, first remove the trigger group from the stock. Loosen both the front and rear adjusting screws until they no longer contact the triggers. Tighten both screws until they just touch the triggers. Install the trigger assembly in the stock. Operate the triggers to get a feel for their sensitivity. Cock the hammer and release it using only the front trigger. Repeat this procedure, setting the rear trigger before pulling the front. If further adjustment is necessary, adjust both screws the same amount. In other words, if the rear screw is tightened one turn, the front screw should also be tightened one turn. Continue this procedure until the trigger adjustment is satisfactory.
Answer: The thread size of most CVA rifle, shotgun, and pistol nipples is 6x1mm. The thread size for most CVA revolver nipples is 12-28 UNC.
Answer: Yes, in many cases you can. The double-set trigger is designed for use with lock mechanisms that incorporate a fly and bridle system. In order to complete the conversion properly, both the double-set trigger assembly and a replacement lock with fly and bridle must be purchased. Fitting the new trigger to the stock will require a fair amount of inletting.
Answer: Accuracy depends on such factors as barrel twist, powder charge, bullet type, size, and weight, as well as the shooter. If all factors are the same, then in-line and bolt action rifles are no more accurate than traditional sidelock rifles, except perhaps that lock time is faster in the in-line, minimizing the effect of shooter flinching.
Answer: Many shooters consider the half-cock position of the hammer on a sidelock rifle to be a safety. This is, however, considered an unsafe practice. No mechanical safety should ever be relied on! Keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction is the only true safety on a firearm. In addition, a good rule to follow is to not cap the nipple of a muzzleloader until the gun is ready to be fired.Click here to download a copy of the owner's manual for your CVA rifle or pistol.
Answer: A muzzleloader is considered unloaded when the percussion cap, projectile and powder have all been removed from the barrel. Just removing the percussion cap does not unload the gun. Click here to download a copy of the owner's manual for your CVA rifle or pistol.
Answer: Leaving a muzzleloading firearm loaded overnight is not recommended, and is a risky practice. Under some circumstances, condensation will build up inside the barrel, dampening the powder. This situation not only renders the powder useless, but will greatly increase the rate at which rust and pits will form inside the barrel. Not to mention, you'll be increasing the chance of misfire when go out for the next day's hunt.
Answer: At least a quick cleaning should be performed after shooting is complete for the day. A complete cleaning should be made prior to storing the gun for more than a day or two. When shooting, a good rule of thumb is to clean the bore with patch and solvent after every third or fourth shot. The cleaning frequency may vary due to different rifling depths and weather conditions, both of which affect fouling and accuracy. Excess fouling must be removed while shooting or projectiles will become very difficult to load.
Answer: Yes. Because blackpowder and its substitutes contain a sulfur content that causes corrosion, stainless steel will rust. The main advantage of stainless steel is that cleaning is much easier. Also, stainless steel is not as easily affected by moisture. So, after shooting, the stainless gun must be cleaned just like any other muzzleloader. Some of our best customers are those who think stainless steel does not require cleaning -- they buy a new gun every year!
Answer: If the gun is going to be stored away for an extended period of time, lube the inside of the barrel with regular gun oil and store the gun muzzle down, so that any condensation will run out of the barrel. When the gun is taken out of storage for use, degrease the bore using rubbing alcohol. Be sure the inside of the barrel is completely dry before use.
Answer: A projectile fired from a muzzleloader can travel in excess of 500 yards, but the energy available in the bullet drops substantially as it travels downrange. It is up to the shooter to decide if a distance shot is an ethical shot. With today's magnum muzzleloaders, maximum ethical distances for some accomplished muzzleloader shooters can extend beyond 200 yards.
Answer: Accuracy depends on many factors, including the shooter and the equipment being used. When the powder charge, projectile, and barrel are matched up properly, most experienced shooters can achieve 2” groups or better at 100 yards with a CVA rifle. The optimal projectile for maximum accuracy with a CVA rifle is the PowerBelt™ Bullet.
Answer: For thorough cleaning, first remove all parts from the barrel. Do not attempt to remove the bolster or breechplug from a sidelock barrel. Use a bronze bore brush soaked in solvent to loosen fouling from the inside of the barrel. Place the breech end of the barrel in a bucket of hot soapy water. Use a cleaning jag and a patch to flush water through the barrel. The pumping action of the patch in and out of the barrel will flush the fouling out of the barrel.
After flushing the barrel for several minutes, move the barrel to warm clean water. Using a new patch, flush water through the barrel to rinse away any soapy water or residual fouling. Remove the barrel from the water and use cleaning patches to thoroughly dry the inside of the barrel. Use a pipe cleaner to clean and dry the bolster area of a percussion sidelock barrel.
When the barrel is completely dry, lube the inside of the barrel with a light coat of all natural lube. Reassemble the gun and store it with the muzzle pointing down. For added protection, the exterior of the barrel may be coated with any good quality, light gun oil. Click here to download a copy of the owner's manual for your CVA rifle or pistol.
Answer: No. The maximum recommended charge for a standard .45 or .50 caliber CVA rifle is 100 grains of loose powder (FFG or equivalent). .45 and.50 caliber CVA magnum bolt action rifles can safely handle a charge of three (3) 50 grain Pyrodex® Pellets. The maximum recommended load for a .54 caliber CVA rifle is 120 grains of loose powder or Pyrodex Pellets. Exceeding the recommended powder charges is extremely dangerous and will void the manufacturer’s warranty.
Answer: The best way to determine the most accurate load for a particular gun is to pick a projectile and start with a minimum powder charge – 60 grains FFG for .45 and.50 cal., 70 grains FFG for .54 cal. Shoot several groups of three shots, recording the results on paper. Increase the powder charge by five (5) grains and repeat the shots, again recording the findings. Repeat this process until the maximum recommended load is reached – 100 grains FFG for .45 and .50 cal.(150 grains if "Magnum"), 120 grains FFG for .54 cal. The optimum load using this particular projectile is the one that produced the most consistent three-shot groups. Because projectile size, type, and weight can affect accuracy, it is best to repeat the process from the beginning to determine the optimum load for different projectiles. The CVA Staff has found the PowerBelt™ Bullet to be the top performing projectile in our In-Line rifles. Our standard charge is 100 grains of Pyrodex Pellets. Click here to download a copy of the owner's manual for your CVA rifle or pistol.
Answer: You can contact our Customer Service department by phone, fax, email or regular mail. If you need immediate answers, you can download the manual in Adobe .PDF format (requires the Adobe Acrobat reader).
