CVA 50 cal. Express double rifle - loads

[Liberty1776]

Any load suggestions for CVA 50 cal Express double rifle? Just bought one (Hasn't even arrived yet...)

I'm assuming it's a round ball/patch gun rather than a sabot, belted bullet or other type of projectile. I'm also assuming loose powder (FFG?) starting around 80-90 gr. rather than pellets.

Yep, I google-fu'd - found nothing. I even e-mailed CVA customer service and they were not helpful. Acted like they never even heard of the gun...

I'm up for any suggestions, thanks...

 

[dickydalton]

I had one over 20 years ago and loaded 90 grains behind a 375 grain TC conical, if I remember right.
I built that gun from a kit and have kicked myself many times for selling it.

 

[RPRNY]

Patched RB, some lower weight conicals, or Keith type bullets, in the lower weights, will all work well ( I believe it is a 1:32" twist?). With anything 325 grs and below, a starting load would be 75 - 80 grs 2F. I recall it as having 28" barrels? Shorter than that and you may wish to consider 3F at circa 10 grs less as your starting load. Use soft lead.

 

[Snaggletooth]

I shoot 70 grains in mine with power belt sabots. I bought two over a period. One was advertised as a 50 cal double barreled shotgun. Traded it to a friend who deer hunts with it

 

[bax504]

I have one that we cut the barrels down to 20"s. It makes for a handier rifle in the woods. I'm shooting roughly 65 grains of T7.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Bottom line is shoot what is most accurate. Forsyth in 1867 when he could use either very large caliber minnie style bullets or patched round ball preferred the patched round ball on very large and dangerous game. He had the luxury though of getting a custom barrel made for his round ball guns, but prior to that, he found he liked the observed results of the patched round ball over the conical. Nothing theoretical in his information.

That being said it doesn't matter what you launch at the target if you miss. You may find that the barrels don't like identical loads. I'd try 3Fg not 2FG as it's a .50 and has what I consider short barrels. Start with 70 grains and work up in 5 grain amounts. Understand that if you are only going for whitetails, 60+ grains will be fine out to 100 yards. Work your loads for accuracy and for the smallest adjustments for distance. I'd stop at around 90-100 grains with the patched round ball. You'll probably find the best loads is between 70 - 90 grains.

Do the same with conicals. Hornady makes a good style, so are the TC Maxi-Hunters. The Thompson Center MH's in 350 grain are popular, but I'd try the 275 grains as well for you'll get higher MV and less drop over a 100 yard shot. 275 grains same weight as hitting the deer with a .570 round ball; so if accurate should be good for elk and black bear too. I'd stop at 90 grains for conicals.

Have fun

LD