There are reports of BPI (CVA & Winchester) products blowing barrels and for what reason it has not been determined. This is the one thing all black powder shooter fear the most not just because of damage to the rifle but injury to the shooter and anyone near. In fact in some of the cases being investigated there are injuries. This also make a lot of people who already own a BPI product rather worried about shooting the thing.

From some of the reports I have been reading this was happening when shooting Triple Se7en and in one case they were shooting three pellets. The rifle was supposed to be able to handle that kind of charge, yet it blew. Is Triple Se7en the devil to black powder shooters?

At this point until all facts are in and it is determined whether the barrels are good or not I would avoid a BPI product and stick with the H&R. I guess I just can not recommend a rifle that might have faults. The Winchester X-150 was one rifle and the others were CVA Eclipse. They have lately been selling tons of these things for next to nothing. Are they getting rid of the things? You be the judge.

I will state I have two CVA rifles and have never had a problem with them. They are great shooters. I have never got near the 150 grain load with them. Mine shoot best with 90 grains of Goex which is much different then 150 grains of Triple Se7en. Yet, based on all these incidents that have taken place I will again recommend to you the H&R Sidekick.