Should i buy this???
 

today i was at a local gun store and was looking at a used caplock muzzleloader. the gun is in very good condition. it's pretty much a bobcat with a wood stock. it's a 50 cal with a ramrod and everything. it has no visible rust on it and i talked the guy down to $70. what do ya'll think???? i would really like a nice little gun to shoot for not too much money. the guy said i could shoot sabots and powerbelts in it, this would be true right??? just no powder pellets.

RE: Should i buy this???
 

The CVA Bobcat was one of the last cap locks they produced. Because it has a wooden stock adds more value to it. They are real good roundball shooters for the most part. They also have some excellent accuracy to them I have a Mountain Stalker in .54 caliber which is the same rifle, just sold by Bass Pro Shop. They will shoot powerbelts, as for the sabots... well I am sure there must be one or two sabots out there it might shoot but the rifle has a 1:48 twist most likely. This twist is best suited to conical bullets and roundballs.

If the rifle was in real good condition, and there was no rust in the bore, because of the wood stock it should be well worth the $70.00. It is a good little rifle and will provide you many years of service and fun shooting...

RE: Should i buy this???
 

Just the other day I climbed up in a tree stand and was shooting at this target with my Mountain Stalker using Patched Roundball. This is the distance the deer usually cross in front of the stand. Its a whole different matter shooting out of a tree stand, but it is good practice. This also shows that a Bobcat or Mountain Stalker is more then enough to hunt deer with....

Good luck if you purchase the rifle.. I know the wood stock on those Bobcats are sought after by many Bobcat owners...

RE: Should i buy this???
 

alright guys thanks for the help. i think i may put it on lay away while i pay off some other bills.

what would be a good load to start out with it. i was thinking on using triple 7 since it leaves less residue. what would ya'll recommend???

RE: Should i buy this???
 

Looked at the Bobcat last week at Walmart. They were asking 54.99 for it, but it had a synthetic stock; no fancy walnut here. Basic no frills gun that can make some noise while not breaking the bank. Gonna keep my eye on it and hope they price 'em to move around the holidays. Still can't get over Cayugad's .54 cal deal he got at BassPro. Yeah, 54.99 is to expensive for me:):)

RE: Should i buy this???
 

When I shoot Triple Se7en out of my Mountain Stalker I use a bore button between the patch and the powder charge. You are going to have to keep the charges under 100 grains of powder which means with Triple Se7en technically you should stay under 85 grains of powder. I think if you start out at 70 grains and start working your way up until you get the best possible group, you should be fine.

RE: Should i buy this???
 

so i should start out with about 70 grains of powder and work up.... would it be better to start shooting with patched balls to figure out a load and then go with the powerbelts.... or should i just stick with the balls?

RE: Should i buy this???
 

I personally would get some .490 roundball and patch material and start shooting roundball just to get used to the rifle. It will give you the oppertunity to see how smooth the trigger is, how fast and sure the lock is, and how you like the sights, as well as the balance and weight of the rifle. After you have shot good groups with the roundball and have not changed the sights to drastically since if your Bobcat is like mine and the sights were not adjustable, then get some of the powerbelts or other conicals and give them a try and see how they shoot. You're going to have to play with powder charges to see what the rifle likes best.

RE: Should i buy this???
 

that's sounds like a pretty good idea cayugad, thanks for all of the help you've given me. i let ya'll know if i get it and how it does.