Euratte

I just bought a cva hunterbolt 54 cal. from a buddy of mine. The gun shoots great. I'm going to use it for muzzle season here in a month. I cant get anything on the internet about it. My search always comes up cva hunterbolt magnum or 209. Is this gun ok to use. CVA said there was no recall on this gun. What do you all think? The gun was made in 1998.

cayugad

That gun will work just fine. My friend hunts with that exact same rifle and he shoots a .54 caliber 300 grREAL conical out of it with 80 grains of Pyrodex RS and has killed a deer every year with the thing. Like he said, why change what I am doing when it always works. He bought the rifle because of the ease of use.

I think you will have great luck with it and good knock down.

Euratte

Is 295 gr. powerbelt with 160 grains pyrodex ok?

cayugad

In my .54 caliber I shoot a 405 grain copper coated powerbelt. As for the 160 grains of Pyrodex RS that would be an over charged weapon. Perhaps you meant 150 grains and was a typo. Why you would want to push them that hard, must be a distance or game size issue I suspect.

The general consensus with powerbelts is, people run into trouble with them when they push them too hard. They powerbelt hits and then fragments. I can not confirm that from personal experience. Some people have some real good experience with powerbelts. Other do not have anything too good to say.

Does that rifle of yours have a 1:32 twist? If it does, a good conical like a Hornady Great Plains, REAL conical, Maxiball, might be a better choice. Also do not be so quick to push conicals all that hard. For deer even 70 grans is plenty if the range is 100 yards and under. If your hunting something else, that might be a reason to get the powder charge a little higher, or if your distance you want to shoot. Although if there is a distance issue, get some .54 caliber sabots and some 300 grain XTP's or some other good bullet, and see if your rifle likes them.

Euratte

I was told to use powerbelts by some freinds who like them. I know have two packs of 20 to use. The pyrodex I bought was for 54 cal. which came in 60 grain pellets. Not sure of the twist, I dont have the gun with me right now, I'm at the firehouse, working. I will be shooting deer, will not be shooting further than 60 or 70 yards. Your thoughts?

cayugad

A trip to the range will tell you whether or not the rifle likes Powerbelts. Two of the pellets are more then enough and I personally would not go more. Also be sure to use a good 209 primer like a Winchester W209. I personally would not aim for the shoulder but behind the shoulder. Then at least you will get the penetration and they should do good. Keep us posted as to how the rifle shoots and your luck..

Good luck hunting.

Euratte

Thanks for your help.

sotto

i just purchased a 1979 cva "big bore"mountain rifle54 ca muzzleloader. it has never been fired. any history on this rifle?

cayugad

Welcome to the forum. Frontier Gander can tell you all you need to know about that rifle. He is selling one, or just sold one. They are a good rifle. I am sure it will shoot well for you.. Give Frontier Gander an IM or start a new thread where he and others will see it. I am sure they will chip in with information for you.

Otherwise load 90-100 grains of Pyrodex RS (if a percussion cap model) or Goex 2f (if a flintlock) and a patched .530 roundball and let it go. Of course if you are real new to all of this, you might want to ask for some advise on how to get started with the rifle as well....