Black Powder Shooter?

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

  I'm fixing to buy a smoke stick and don't want to invest too much just starting out. I'm looking at a CVA Wolf 209 mag. 50 cal... I've read a lot of reviews on this gun and they all seem pretty good. I'm trying to stay under $300 bucks for the gun as I already have a good spare scope to mount on it.TIA

[Jess from VA]

Are you looking to hunt specifically, or just a shooter?

This is something you might be able to find used in good condition for a bargain, if you are willing to go looking around your local shops.

 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Are you looking to hunt specifically, or just a shooter?

This is something you might be able to find used in good condition for a bargain, if you are willing to go looking around your local shops.

 

I agree ....The pawn shops around here all have plenty of muzzleloaders .Be sure to ask about the "possibles bag " while in the pawn shop you can save some real $$$ buying this stuff used 

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Gonna use for deer hunting as we can shoot earlier in the season and get an extra two weeks after the normal season closes.  Only gonna shoot up to about 150 yds. with it. I'll use my 308. during the regular season. Just wanting to get it soon so I'ld have all year to tune it. I got some gift cards to academy sports and outdoors for Christmas and can't wait to use them.

[Full_Throttle]

I hated my CVA Optima Pro so much I GAVE it away as a gift two days ago.  Poor craftsmanship.  even with rigorous cleaning and oiling, I could NOT keep the surface from rusting.  But that isn't the main reason I got rid of it.  The trigger assembly was not designed to be taken apart nor adjusted for trigger pull...what ever the trigger pull was is what you got.  I didn't realize that when I got it...turns out mine was almost 7 pounds to pull!!! 

It took me a while, but I figured out how to take it apart (even though it voided warranty and wasn't designed to be serviced) and filed the trigger mechanism to get a nice 3-4 lb pull. 

Whatever you get, hold it and pull the trigger to make sure it is an easy pull....at 7 pounds it became an obstacle to a smooth shot.  I am going to get a Thompson Center (haven't decided which model yet).  I have heard great things about them, but I will check out the trigger first!!

Good luck!

[Jess from VA]

I don't know much about black powder, but I have read the more modern In-Line black powder rifles are much better for hunting than the old Pennsylvania Rifle replicas, and of course more expensive.  That's why I asked.

Probably worth you time to scout around for black powder forums and do some reading, maybe ask some questions.

I'd still look for used, you might be able to get half off new that way.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

A gunsmith in my area told me that the government is the reason for the higher rated trigger pulls. My H&R had a factory pull of 12lbs. the smith took it down to the least he could set legally of 4lbs. it made a huge difference in shooting the gun.
   I'm just getting started in this venture so I'm be looking a lot. I know I want the newer style break over with the removeable breach plug.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

We in the Frye clan are all hunting with breakaction muzzleloaders right now. My two sons hunt with NEF muzzleloaders and I hunt with a TC encore.

In particular if your looking for a used one, try to find one in SS. There will be many being sold after the season is over around here and probably around your area too. Look for a local online "for sale" or classifieds type website. I've bought several firearms in this way and always got good deals. Watch for pitted barrels and don't buy a muzzleloader which has a pitted barrel, it will get worse quickly.

If you can find a Knight Rifle at a good price you might want to consider it. My first 17 deer were taken with one and it's still the most accurate muzzleloader I've ever shot. The early ones came with a Timmy trigger from the factory, mine "broke like glass" at around 3lbs. It was blued metal though and eventually succumbed to a pitted barrel. It was my fault of course, but I burned real black powder in it and that's not very forgiving.

By the way, it used to be that you could buy an NEF rifle, then send it back to the factory to be fitted for a different barrel for about $100 and they would do a free trigger job if you requested it. They have been bought and sold a few times now and I don't know if they still offer the accessory barrel program.

Concerning powder, Triple Seven powder rocks in my opinion. I've used real black powder, pyrodex, cleanshot, and another type or two and triple seven stands head and shoulders above the rest as far as I'm concerned. Less likely to cause rust than any of the above, cleans easy and is accurate. The pellets are pretty expensive if your going to shoot a lot but the loose powder was pretty fairly priced the last time I bought any.

[Sharkey]

I caution against buying used with black powder. If not cleaned properly or misloaded it can be dangerous.
I have shot many different muzzleloaders over the years, and the CVA is decent for the money. I place far more emphasis on scope selection. I see guys buy a $800 gun and a $75 dollar scope and can't understand why I can outshoot them.
I think it will be a good entry level gun to see of you like it. I also recommend 777 powder loose not pellets. Pellets come in 50 and 30 grain varieties. Too find that sweet spot for accuracy, that big of a jump in powder can make a difference.
Get some different sabots and loose powder and make a day out of it, and you'll find that sweet spot. That entry level CVA will shoot better than most people are capable of shooting it.