I'm getting back into black powder shooting, after many years. My daughters bought me a CVA Buckhorn 209 Magnum. Which would work better, Loose or pellets?
I'm getting back into black powder shooting, after many years. My daughters bought me a CVA Buckhorn 209 Magnum. Which would work better, Loose or pellets?
There's really no waythe fewvolume numbers that are there for pellets can be better than tweaking with loose powder -- which allows you any volume number from 0 to 150.
The only advantage to pelletsis eliminating the powder measurement tool- no flasks& no pre-measure powder holders to carry around.
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Since you are an experianced ML shooter, I would also recommened loove vs. Pellets. Loose is a whole lot less expensive and offers a lot more versitility...
Using loose powder with the CVA product will limit you to a 100 grains, where with pellets you could shoot a larger powder load - up to 150 grains. Checked your owners manual - I think your limits are a 300 grain projectile - 150 grains pellet or 100 grains loose
Good luch - good shooting
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I have a CVA Staghorn Magnum which was basically replaced by the Buckhorn Magnum. I almost always shoot 90 grainsof loose 2f powder and a sabot around 240 grains. It is a real accurate load. Although I shot pellets out of the Staghorn "just to see", you might say. Two pellets and a 245 grain Powerbelt is a very accurate load...
Loose is cheaper. If you shoot a lot go loose. If you only hunt a couple more days of the year with it, then pellets might be a better route...
Good luck with your rifle.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
I think pellets work very well, and are very convenient. Downer is, they're very expensive. I use powder only, for last five years.
CVA Buckhorn (I've got one, and an older Staghorn) has 300gr max weight for sabots, you can go heavier with conicals/powerbelts. I think they only recommend 150gr charges in the form of pellets, and only with powerbelts or sabots. I wouldn't use a 300gr sabot w/150gr pellets; 90-100 gr. powder is sufficient, anyhow, and will kill the deer dead.
I got me a CVA Hunterbolt. 150gr. max for pellets. 100gr. max for loose. 85gr. loose t7. The 300gr. limit refers to sabots. Full caliber projectiles can go all the way up to 500gr+ minies, but most CVA's like the lighter bullets. 350gr & under.