Problems sighting in....
 

For about 2 months, I've been trying to get my CVA Kodiak sighted in. At first, things were going along o.k. with 2" groups @ 50 yds. However, my groups progressively got larger and larger. Now, I'm not getting any sort of accuracy whatsoever. Today I bore sighted twice and ended up stapling 6 18"X18" target side by side to figure out where the rifle was impacting. When I did get a hit, I aimed at the same bull and sure enough, that shot went somewhere else. Keep in mind this is 25 yds away. I've gone through two scopes and tried rifled sights. Tried sabots, powerbelts, and maxihunters. Could the powder possibly be bad (pyrodex)? I swab the bore between shots. Gun is cleaned when the day is done, always. The only thing consistent with the gun is that it shoots WAY the hell off to one side. Help.:(

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

Doegirl75 - powder could very well be the problem. It would be one place I would look to. Also you did not mention how much and what kind of Pyrodex you are using. Pellets or loose, and the amount is important. Many times people try to push the projectiles too hard.

I would get a brand new jug of loose powder. Pyrodex RS is fine. Get a powder measure and set it at 80 grains. Start your shooting on a clean oil free barrel and no bore butter please. Load the 80 grains and a 240 grain XTP would be a good starting load. Start your target at 13 yards if possible and have it hit dead on the bull. When you can group them there, then you can move to bigger distances. If you can not because of range restrictions shoot at 13 yards, then move back to 25 yards.

If you are swabbing between shots as you say, and the rifle will not hold any kind of a group at those distances with new powder and proper barrel care... I would suspect you might have a BAD rifle. It might be one that has something wrong with the barrel and for this you would need to send it back to CVA and see if they can get the rifle to shoot accurate.

Open sights are usually the best indicater if the rifle is bad or the scope is bad. If you can hold a group with the iron sights, then start checking scope mounts and the scope itself.. like you have done.

Can you feel any flaws in the barrel when you swab, like a bulge or ring?

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

Have some one who knows a bit of gunsmithing check your scope mounts and barrel and recoil blockbedding. Shoot someone elses gun to make sure that you are not flinching. If you still have a problem after doing all that then let the group know and if you live close to one of us old timers that have been muzzleloading for 30 or 40 years then maybe you can get together long enough to pin the problem down. Lee

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

Lemoyne-Scope was mounted by a gunsmith. Rings and bases were tight.
Cayugad-I'm using loose pyrodex RS. Today, I used 80 grains and 195 gr Powerbelts. (shooting a .45 cal.). Other than the fact it's awefully hard to push a jag and cotton patch past the false muzzle, I can't see anything unusual with the barrel. Could not group the gun with iron sights, either.

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

This is a .45 caliber rifle. I really have little experience with a .45 caliber inline rifle. I do know that some other people reported having the same problems you are havinggetting their .45 calibers to "tune up." Others loaded something and they just started shooting them. I would think you are going to just have to search for the right projectile the rifle likes. That can sometimes be a long search. You might want to e-mail CVA and advise them of your problems and see what suggestions they offer...

I would have thought the powerbelts would have shot real well out of the rifle (shows what I know). My CVA .50 caliber Staghorn will shoot a lot of different projectiles very well with 90 grains of powder, but that does not help you...

You might want to get some Shockwaves and see if they will shoot well. They normally shoot well out of most any rifle they go into. Also the XTP's work well in all my .50 caliber inline rifles. I really wish I had more information to help you. CVA tech support might be a good bet. They are really helpful people there.

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

i seen this too but not from in-lines as i am not sround inlines only flintlocks.most of time it was bullet i was using. maxi-hunters are terrible in my hawkins .50cal and others too. usually when i changed to right bullet, things got better. maxi-balls are best out of my hawkins, powerbelts too.so, i would say bullet you are using is problem.LENGTH of bullet is secret in most guns. my hawkins likes bullets LONG.

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

Have you used a good solvent when cleaning the bore? You could have plastic residue, or lead fouling in the barrel. I would try a solvent that cuts plastic and lead. Also, is your stock/forearm/barrel, properly aligned, and tight. I am not familiar with your muzzleloader, so don't know what type of components you have, but not a bad idea to check these out.

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

I also have a CVA mine is the Beartooth Mag. in
45cal. Mine will shoot the 195gr. aero-tip power-
belts really well, with 100gr. of Pyrodex or 777 in
pellet form. Cva has a very distinct and deep cut
to the lands & grooves or rifling. Powerbelts should
load very easily, in other words you should not
need much pressure on the ramrod to load. You may
have some bad powder, but my 45 just doesn't
like loose powder. You may find some left-over
pellets at the local WallyWorld, cheap & give them
a try. Good luck.............Danny

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

LnG I was thinking the same thing. What if all the packing greese was not removed before shooting? that could be screwing things up big time with it getting all hard and dirty now.

I wonder if that did happen what would be the best way to get it out?

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

Well, the gun is going to be sent back to CVA. After the time and expense I went through, it should at least be on the paper @ 25 yds[:@] There are some other issues with the rifle that makes me believe that perhaps I bought a "dud". I'm gonna let the techies at CVA figure it out.

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

I think that's a wise decision Doegirl. And if they find there is indeed something wrong with the rifle, make a stink. Tell then you spend lots of money on powerbelts to try and tune that monster. Then ask them if perhaps they'd change it out for a .50 caliber. Not really any more recoil, just as long range capable, easier to tune, better selection of projectiles, legal for large game hunting in more states,and less barrel pressures in your loads... (can you tell I like the .50 caliber over the .45 caliber.. :D)

CVA customer service has been really good to me when I needed them. I hope they can fix your problem and get you up and shooting ASAP.

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

Hoping they do find (and correct) the issue, I would insist that CVA send me at a minimum, replacement projectiles (With CVA you get Powerbelts) to compensate for what you have invested at the range thus far.

Let us know what happens...

M2C.

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

doegirl, i did same thing years ago with my .50 cal t/c hawkins.i switched from my reliable MAXI-BALLS to the maxi-hunters.i blamed my gun. it was those lousy maxi-hunters.only 2 bullets i can get to shoot good in my hawkins is maxi-ball and powerbelt bullets.others are more experts than me, but my problem was bullet and it did shoot all over the paper.take care.

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

your right. back in 1971,my dad took me too gun shop here in pa.back then you only had 1 ,no wal-marts etc.there was about 6 different muzzleloaders in rack.he grabbed one and said, pull it up to your shoulder and check how it feels. 5 felt terrible, then i pulled the THOMPSON .50CAL HAWKINS flintlock. i was sold on that baby.it felt great and balanced fine. it was 119 dollars each. so, he bought me 2 of them, thats way dad was .he loved to see us happy.i have shot many bucks with that .50cal.also stores handle more .50cal stuff than .45 cal.take care

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

Doegirl solved her problem. :D

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

UH-HUH:) Took the CVA back to Gander MT. The refunded my money, no questions asked. Came home with an "upgrade"-a T/C:

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

very nice choice of rifle... I am sure you will be very happy with the Thompson Center.

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

Doegirl75

Great looking gun - but I can not help myself... what caliber?

Got this feeling you are going to love it...

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

It's a 50. Now, I gotta let the ego deflate....Seriously,though, I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. I'm just thankful I could afford it when the CVA went bonkers. It will be awhile before I can get some quality glass on it..The Banner will have to do for now.

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

Doegirl75

I am biased, I know that, but I think you are really going to like the 50 vs. the 45. One of the loads I am using in all of my inlines is a 10mm 200 grain XTP in a MMP 50/40 sabot - talk about a sweet shooting setup...

Some states do not allow .40 for ML hunting some do, Idaho doesn't during ML but it is OK during regular rifle season so since I hunt all year round now with aML it could work for me.

I think your Banner will work just fine, especially if you like the scope. If you do decide to make a change and want to stay in the inexpensive or less expensive area take a look at the Swift Premier line of scopes. I got a 2x7x40 the other day and itreally shows promise, can not fiure out what I am going to put it right yet, but it will end up on something.

Good luck and Good shooting

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

Nice, Nice, Nice, That brown laminate is awesome looking. Ive got the same Ml in Blk synthetic and i love it. Ive heard the thumbholes are hard on the wrist when shooting 150 grain loads of Pyrodex. Also, get you a SIMS Limbsaver recoil paid. They make them for the Encore wood stocks and Synthetic stocks. I have one on mine and it makes it nice. Ive got a Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 on mine and it just great. I get 1" groups at 100 yards with 100 Gr. Pyrodex Pellets and 250 gr. Shockwaves. Should be a great shooter for ya. Congrats on a beautiful piece of furniture.

RE: Problems sighting in....
 

Now that's what I call an UPGRADE!

:)

You will profoundly appreciate and enjoy the Encore.

Tahquamenon