blondiez24

Hello, my brother in law got a cva buckhorn for christmas, and wanted me to help him get it sighted in, because I am the only one he knows who shoots muzzleloaders. He got powerbelt bullets 245 grains with thespire tip. I thinks that is what its called. He has pyrodex pellets 30 grain pellets. and 209 primers. I was wondering what would be the best load to start with 60 or 90 or 120? I have never used pellets. Also will those bullets work good with that gun? stacking that may 30 grain pellets in a row will that hurt anything? should he go get 50 grain pellets? Just give me all the info about this gun and setup as possible. I'm not use to cva's. I have always shot t/c, and knights. Thanks alot

cayugad

90 grains of Pyrodex and that powerbelt should be real accurate. I have a Staghorn Magnum which the Buckhorn replaced. That is its sweet load. Good luck.

blondiez24

thanks alot. I heard cva's have to be swabbed in between every shot for them to be accurate is this true? or can you shoot 4 or 5 in a row like my encore? thanks again

cayugad

If your sighting in a rifle or breaking in a projectile, for the best possible understanding of how that projectile and load will work for you, I recommend swabbing between each and every shot. That way you keep as much equal as possible. While the powerbelt might load easy enough, swab and then get it sighted in.

After you have the load and rifle sighted in, then start shooting two and three in a row to see how they react and what they would do in a hunting situation.

blondiez24

thanks for the help!

outdoorslover

Those loads sound like they'd perform great and yes, definetely swab between shots. My Winchester doesn't shoot well without swabbing.

Catus Magnus

I've got a Buckhorn, replaced the Staghorn I had for several years. Things to be aware of: if primers fall out of the breech plug, bend the little spring-primer retainer doohickey. It'll shoot well with about 90gr Pyro RS and a 240gr XTP bullet, or 240gr Cheapshot; that is what I used t kill all my deer this year, until I upgraded to a Marlin 336. Powerbelts shoot fine, though they're waaaay overpriced.

Consider it a short range <100 yard rifle. Where you hit the deer is vastly more important that what bullet you hit them with, or how much powder you're using. Lots of inline muzzleloading hype out there...