Cva wolf .50 will not group

[w296]

So far I can't get decent group at 50 yards. I'm using 295 grain power belts with 80 gr of Jim Shockey Gold powder. Also using a 3-9 scope, everything tightened with lock tight. At best getting a 4" group from a rest. At times the target looks like I shot it with a shotgun. :banghead: Beginning to think I bought a piece of junk. It's not the scope,it did the same with iron sites. That's why I put a scope on it. If anyone has a load combination that works ( bullet type/powder ) for them, please pass it on before I throw it in the nearest body of water. To say I'm frustrated is an understatement :banghead:

 

[Curator]

How did you arrive at a load of 80 grains of Shockey Gold? It is usual to work up a load starting low and adding 5 grains at a time. Start with 70 grains, load and fire three shots for a group. Wipe the bore and load 3 more with 75 grains. Most rifles have a "sweet spot" where it groups best.You might also try other powders. Shockey's Gold has more shooters swearing at it than swearing by it. Try Triple Seven FFg and work up a load the same way. Wiping the bore after three shots does make a difference even with "substitute powders" and when hunting your first shot is from a clean bore anyway.

 

[w296]

Thank you your reply, I will give your suggestions a try. I arrived at the load from the power belt load data, they recommend starting at 80gr with a max at 90gr using granular powder. With the 295gr bullet

 

[Curator]

My personal experience with Jim Shockey's gold powder was very erratic. I too have a CVA Wolf .50 and the Gold powder worked better with a hard felt or card wad and a bit of compression. It would not shoot Power belts very well since the wads jammed into the base, but did shoot the Lee R.E.A.L. 320 grain bullet OK (but not great) Also, the Gold seemed very affected by high humidity. Hunting in S.W. Florida in October is a steam bath experience. After only one shot, the fouling from Shockey's Gold would turn to grey slime and the second shot would be anemic if I didn't take the time to clean and dry the bore. Power belts shoot very well using Pyro-Cr@p pellets, and even better with loose T-7 FFg. The CVA Wolf is a surprisingly accurate and reliable rifle once you learn what loads it likes. Some experimenting and load development is required to get the best performance. Never take recommendations from advertisements. We long-time Muzzle loading rifle shooters all have drawers full of stuff that advertised high performance & accuracy but didn't deliver.

 

[dr1445]

here is what cva states. looks like you want 90-120 grains.
http://www.cva.com/how-much-powder-can-i-load-in-my-muzzleloader.php

 

[w296]

The only reason I used Power Belts was because they had been recommended to me as being accurate. They are very expensive to shoot, I would prefer something less expensive but accurate. I enjoy shooting and would like to continue shooting it. I do plan to hunt with it this year. We also have high humidity in north Fla. 12 miles from the Ga line. All this to say again, if you have a less expensive bullet and powder combo I'm all ears.

 

[243winxb]

Check the muzzle crown. May need adjustment.

 

[RecoilRob]

Agree with the suggestion to bump up the powder charges and see if it doesn't tighten up the groups. My Kodiak .72 is wild with the listed recommended charge and looking carefully down the barrel shows why. The powder chamber is deep enough that using only 80 grains doesn't fill the cavity full so the ball is seated over some airspace...hence the erratic velocities and accuracy. Stuff it with 110-120 grains (which fills the cavity nicely) and the barrels come in to regulation and groups tighten right up....at least a lot better than they were.

I'd imagine that your rifle should be plenty safe up to 120 grains or more of powder, so don't worry about experimenting with stiffer loads or even other bullets. If it responds well to the heavier powder charges, but the recoil starts to beat you around too much, going to a lighter bullet with the heavier powder charges might be a good thing. You'll almost guaranteed be able to find a better combination than you're shooting now.

 

[Noz]

I have an older CVA kit 50 cal rifle that will not shoot anything but a TC Maxihunter. I built the gun (1-48) twist) with the desire to shoot patched round balls. A lengthy trial with several sizes pf balls, several thicknesses of patch and types of material, charges from 50 to 120 grs and every lube I could think of were unsuccessful. I could not keep a pattern on a 14/16" piece of paper off a bench shooting at 35 yards. I even went the Sabot trial with no joy.
A trip thru Walmart and a chance discovery of the 285 gr Maxihunters gave me a last ditch effort before the gun was regulated to the closet. First three rounds off of the bench were touching in the dead center of the target. Adding 10 grains of powder moved the impact up 1 inch at 35 yards. I adjusted powder until I had a dead center strike at 100 yards.
Try them.
Your mileage may vary.