Muzzleloader

[bassNspear]

I have a friend that is trying to sell his CVA Muzzleloader. Are these good guns? How do they rank to a Thompson Center?

[TrophyEyes]

I wouldn't. I have been muzzleloading for 5 years and hunt with a group of muzzleloaders that have been doing it for 15. One thing is that out of 16 people all shoot TC's. Most have tried a variety of brands, but everyone has found that TC is head and sholders above the rest.

[Longline]

I personally like my CVA. I have shot 2 deer and a bear with it and haven't had any issues.

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

just a quick word of caution, Due to the corrosive nature of some of the muzzleloader propelants, before buying a used muzzleloader be certain to check the muzzleloader for pits inside the barrel regardless of manufacturer.

[bassNspear]

no its not used.

its brand new in the box.

[wplatehunter]

I also have a CVA and like it. I have shot a number of deer with it and never had a problem. It is a very good gun for the money. I would buy the brake away model like the over/under shotguns.

[lunker651]

I have a CVA Kodiak 50.cal and like it very much. Very good gun for the money. I have a buddy that is trying to convince me to trade mine for his omega. So that says something about CVA.

[mskyfshntchr]

If it is even up, what are you waiting for?!?! I'd make that trade every day of the week...I've had/have 4 TC guns and have loved them all with the OMEGA at the absolute top.

TC has a lifetime warantee to the purchaser and will do very well when working with others. Only had to use them one time and that was my fault when I was 15.

I do know a lot of people are shooting CVA's now. I think their early guns were very cheap and not real good guns. I think they have gotten a lot better in the past 10 years. They are not top of the line, but good guns none-the-less. Relate it to a shotgun: Buy a Remington shotgun for $600 or a Mossberg for $250. Is Mossberg no good because of the price difference? No, they are very servicable guns, but not top of the line.

[DeanoB]

little more info such as model and price on that CVA smokepole please, may have the go ahead from the wife on smokepole.

[bassNspear]

it is a CVA Ultra Mag 50 Cal. Black

[doser]

Jason,

I own a .50 Cal CVA and have killed three deer with it. Very accurate and never have had problems with it. The main thing like any smoke pole is making sure it is cleaned properly. Would I like a TC? Of course, but my CVA is also as accurate as any gun I've ever owned. You must also remeber CVA is probably the one of the older co. around when it comes to muzzle loaders.....so they do have a good reputation and quality as far as I'm concerned.

[fishin58]

I really like my CVA optima, It is very accurate, I have dropped a doe at 110 yds, of course Iron sights, that is good enough for me.I love the break action on it, makes easy for loading as well as cleaning. The only thing I would not recommend is a nickel finish, it wants to corrode every chance it gets.

[Cooter]

I have a cheap CVA, think I paid $120 for it. Since I can't use sights in WI so I'm shooting under 100yrds and its plenty accurate for that and always goes boom when I pull the trigger....realize CVA makes economy rifles and some very nice ones, just like anything else, what do you want out of it, what do you plan to do with it?

[Stratosman]

Two buddies and I all have CVA Kodiaks and so far they seem very reliable, accurate and very easy to clean, really what else it there? Longevity is still to be seen, but with next to zero working parts, what could really go wrong?

Perfect gun for someone just jumping in....no need to spend $800 on your first muzzleloader.

[Dabignorski]

i was just wondering if anyone has heard how the new winchester muzzleloaders have been i was looking at getting one of them??

[wplatehunter]

I also have the CVA Optima and agree it is very accurate. Great gun for the money. I think you can pick one up for under $200.

[bassNspear]

Thanks guys for all the information.

Picked up the Kodiak for 100.00.

Quick Question. I know they say that you can shoot up to 150 grans, but on the average, do most of you guys shot 100 grans??

[Curly]

100 grains is all you'll ever need for deer hunting in MN, definately is the most common load, just drop in 2 pellets. I quit using Pyrodex and went to the Hogdon and the clean up is much nicer, a couple patches down the barrel is all it takes.

Good Luck.

[fishin58]

I also only shoot 2 pellets, on the CVA HSOforum, It also says for optimum use, use only 2 pellets. Congrats

[mskyfshntchr]

2 pellets is all that is needed. When I would use the actual grains- 80-90gr. was what I used in my .50 cal. Now 100 grains is plenty. Maybe if you were hunting somewhere for real big game or possibly longer distances would 150 be necessary. I think you can check with the company and they should have ballistics for different bullet weights and different grains of powder. Give you an idea what 100 vs 150 grains is. Or maybe someone has it and can post it here for all of us to see!

[doser]

I shoot 100 grains , but I use the actual black powder.

[dukhnt]

Quote:

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i was just wondering if anyone has heard how the new winchester muzzleloaders have been i was looking at getting one of them??

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I picked up a winchester muzzleloader last year for a ridiculous price. I love that gun. So far one shot and one deer with it. I had a $100 CVA before this one and the action would freeze up on me.

[bassNspear]

thanks for all the great information guys. Helps out alot.

[Whoaru99]

Last year I borrowed an older CVA Hunterbolt Magnum. Took a deer at 162 paces with 90gr loose T7 and a Barnes Expander 250gr bullet. Seems perfectly adequate enough...

Although, if I bought one myself, I'm sort of liking the new TC Triumph - quite a lot more $$ though.