Accura Problems?
 

Well Ill be ordering my first muzzleloader tommorow..its either going to be a SS Accura or a blued Omega.I was dead set on the accura after all the great reviews and groups people were getting but I read of a cracking problem on the modernmuzzleloading forum.Where there were small cracks in the barrel weld.Was this proved to be only cosmetic or was it really cracks?I dont want to be worrying about it everytime I shoot and have to check it every shot to make sure it didnt crack.So then that kind of made me shy away from the accura and think the omega is the better choice.Any input on the possible ''cracks'' would be great.Also is there any down side to the omega?

There is NO weld on the Barrel of the ACCURA, they use a (Dove-Tail) to attach the stud to the barrel that attaches the barrel to the forarm. Where did you hear of barrel cracking problems with the ACCURA, from TC????
(BP)

I searched ''accura'' on the modernmuzzleloading.com forum and I think on the 2 or 3 page there are pictures of what appears to be cracks and thats what the owners of those accuras thought as well....I beleive one of them sent it back to cva and got a new barrel back.

Modern Muzzleloading ... that says it all. A couple of years ago there was a guy there that claimed he got 3 consecutive Win Apex's that shot 10 in 100 yard groups. Talk about UNLUCKY ;).

Well, judging from who was involved with the conversation it sounds like there is some cracking going on... unlucky lot there at Modern Muzzleloading.

I didn't think White made a break open rifle . . .

BTW. The cracks in UC's rifle look to be caused by recoil lifting barrel. There must be some play and it hammers the weld when he shoots them 500 grain conicals.

Where exactly were the cracks suppos-to-be???? There is a weld on the Barrel where the barrel attaches to the receiver. Do you have any pics???
(BP)

members from here posted pics of what appeared to be ''cracks'' on their accuras.thats why I posted this here because this forum and memebers are usually more helpfull than other forums...jeez,Didnt mean to start something...I really want the accura but im just finding out if theres any problems with it first before I buy it.

Got to the link but I cant log on with out a username and password, not gonna join just to read it........where were the cracks on the barrel of the ACCURA?
(BP)

Breechplug, here :

nevermind..he beat me to it

No need to get upset over the post, Im kind a interested as I own 3 ACCURA's and I have no complaints with them, I love em and go over board recommending them, as most know by now. But with anything there is always a bad one in the group, but if it get's too common it's a problem.
(BP)

ogg

The cracks that were discussed were where the pivot lug was welded to the barrel. The weld job on the Accura was actually some of the best looking welding I have ever seen, but the 'cracks' appeared to be hair-line fractures in the weld.

I do not remember seeing the results of the one individual that sent his in.



You can see the small possible crack in this picture right at the end of the barrel lug...

Ogg,

The Accura may be prone to this with stouter loads. I pretty much agree with UC, I think its something to monitor but I don't think its a major problem. Its not the barrel cracking but the weld between the barrel and the pivot block. I'm really not a fan of break actions anyway.

A better comparison of the omega would be the kodiak pro. I have a SS model. It has a very hard trigger and I plan to send it to CVA for service. Other than that, it a good rifle although I have only shot maybe 120 rounds through it. My Win Apex is bascially the same design. It has over 400 rounds through it. She's a sweet rifle and hasn't given a lick of trouble.

Whatever you choose, I'd be sure to get a SS barrel. It not that much extra.

I believe the above picture is of Underclocked's gun.The guy who sent his in didnt post pictures if I remember correctly.

ogg

You are correct...

Mike, Thank's for clearing this up...first I must say your on top of things and you get to the point and problem when it comes to MLers. I got my 3 ACCURA's out and with a magnifying glass looked each one over good and NO Cracks on the weld. And as a added bonus My Daughter and her boyfriend just stopped over and were here asking what the heck I was doing with My MLers, I explained it to them and My Future Son in Law the welder also noted the welds were impressive. So for me mine are fine. I would'nt hesitate to buy another ACCURA, I put them all to the test and they passed, and believe me if anytime they fail I'll be the first to let everyone know.
(BP)

that has me less worried.....thanks, I think I will go with the accura.Out of all the accuras bought these 2 reported cracks are the only ones ive seen or heard about so I dont think its a major problem.I just wanted to make sure it wasnt a common problem.

Good to hear, as far as loads go I first started off with 3 50gr Pellets of Pyro as I was a Mag Man, then MountainDevil and Sabotloader got me to change to loose powder for a more accurate less recoil load. And believe them and me loose powder is the way to go. I now shoot 105 & 110 gr's of Pyrodox RS and a 240gr XTP mag in My ACCURA's, with a T7 Primer in the 105gr and a Win 209W Primer in the one with 110gr's.
Groups are excellant! 1" at a 100yds and Im up to about a 2 1/2" group at 200yds, I cant complain. I have the Stainless Steel Barrels on all three ACCURA's, there super easy to clean. The trigger pull is one of the sweetest I have ever had, 2-3 pounds. I think for the money you'll be impressed with what you'll get. Cabela's now has them on Sale for great prices, you may have to wait for a back order but if yur not in a hurry you'll be fine.
Any questions in the future just PM me and I'll be glad to help out. Also MountainDevil and Underclocked have experience with the ACCURA's and Im sure they'll be happy to help.
(BP)

im going to order the stainless steel/black accura from cabelas :)
I hadnt really thought about backorder...hmm.Hopefully they are in stock

i believe the deal was that the front weld hung over a little and when it was opened and allowed to slam forward while breaking it open, those front welds that hung over, slammed into the frame and caused some cosmetic cracking. Ive had mine since May and no problems here. Even from shooting the big 444 powerbelts with 100gr RS.

Excellent shooting/reliable rifles.

ordered my Accura SS lastnight...What cleaning things do I need.(oils etc.)I currently only have hoppes cleaning kit with the bore cleaner and outside lubricant and big round patches.Will this work or should I get something else?This is my first muzzleloader so any tips would be helpfull.

i use hot soapy water and just soak the breech plug end in the bucket and pull the hot water through and flush out the barrel. Run patches until its dry then use some windex dampened patches to mop up excess water i may have missed, followed up by more dry patches. Lube or use teflon tape on breech plug and install it finger tight.

Those are pics of my Accura that I took about 5 minutes ago. You can clearly see the cracks that are an "issue". To me, they are a non-issue. The area where those cracks developed is where the barrel is stopped by the frame when opening. The real culprit is probably the fairly sharp edge left at that point in the frame design of the Accura - something I tried to communicate to them long ago but I don't know if they changed it all. My concern at the time was not what you see, rather how easy it is to deform the metal in that area of the frame by simply installing the steell barrel assembly.

The cracks are a non-issue really. They have not and likely never will extend past that curl in the lug weld metal. Sorry I took pics of only one side but both sides are essentially identical. Those cracks are not indicative of any looseness nor are they from slamming the action open. They are from normal operation of the rifle.

Perhaps CVA has corrected that sharp edge? They offered to replace mine but they also agreed the issue was only cosmetic and in no way indicative of a pending failure. Mine shoots so well, swapping barrels was never even a thought in my mind.

jsut read the order notification from cabelas in my email and the gun isnt on backorder but the free promotional gun case that comes with it is on backorder so now ill have to wait longer just becasue of the free case.Id rather have them send me the gun and not the gun case that way I wont have to wait.I sent them a email to see if they will do this but I doubt it....

ogg, last year when I ordered my second ACCURA I got the same free gun case, it also was on backorder, but my ACCURA arrived fast and the gun case followed a week or so later, Im sure your ACCURA will come first. But to b sure call them and tell them to ship it and they will. By the way, good choice and Im sure you'll be happy with it.
(BP)

UC, Thank's for the photos of the cracks on the weld on the ACCURA, I'll watch mine (3) of them to see if they develope. If you say there no concern I'll believe you. Is this gonna happen no matter what, even if Im super careful when I put my barrel back on the receiver? As you the ACCURA Im using now SS/Camo is a super shooter, I cant believe the groups Im getting at 100yds+= 1", I'd really hate to part with the barrel as it is a good one. Keep us ACCURA shooters up to date on the cracks, and I'll keep an eye on mine also.
Thank's
Ron (BP)

UC,

It was those trashcans :-). How much Swiss were you hurling them with?

Well, those Trashcans shot well enough for their first time in that rifle but they were punishing. 70 grains of Swiss 3F behind a 497 grain conical was pretty punishing but I don't think they caused those cracks.



That's after only 5 BullShop 460 grainers and 3 of Bat's Trashcan's over that powder charge. Not a great combo for the Accura. ;) The Apex handles the same loads with ease though.

what primers were you using with the trashcans?

UC,

It's possible that those cracks were caused when the welds cooled down. In which case, they would have been there when you got the rifle but you didn't notice them.

I love the consistency of blackpowder but it gets whatever it propels to velocity quickly and the recoil just seems sharper. I have a friend with a Savage ML. We were shooting the Buffalo 375 SSBs with 44 grains of 4198. I was amazed at how modest the recoil was because were were getting velocities above 1650 with it. 100 grains of 3f black powder can not do that and I can tell you, that the recoil with 100 grains of 3f Goex is pretty sharp under a 375 grain SSB. It leaves a mess around the plug like that also.

UC that breech plug in the Accura looks alot like the plug in my Kodiak Pro. Do you know if they are the same? If they are, does BH 209 work consistently in the Accura?

Pglasgow, the Breeclplug's are the same. The ACCURA, APEX, OPTIMA, KODIAK and KODIAK PRO are all the same.
(BP)

Not quite, unless you mean the Winchester Apex (by BPI). The new CVA Apex has an entirely different plug. Fancy devil.

Win209A FG.

Phil, I don't think they were there from the get-go but they might possibly have been. I just know they haven't changed one iota since I did notice them. No issues at all with BH209 in the Accura so long as one uses one of the hotter primers.

UC, when I ordered a extra Breechplug from CVA for My ACCURA the Invoice say's (Breechplug for APEX/OPTIMA) So unless they messed up and sent me the wrong one (but it looks the same as My ACCURA's) I was just assuming it was the same for the CVA APEX?? They are the same for the ACCURA, OPTIMA and KODIAK though. But you have a APEX and I dont, so I cant argue with you on this one, LOL
(BP)

they most likely mean the winchester apex. its the same as my accura's plug. which means, consistency with bh209.

Breechplug.

The CVA Apex is a whole different animal than a Win Apex. The Win Apex is discontinued and is the same design as the Kodiak Pro. Judging from my two examples, I would say that the Apex was the "cream" and the Kodiak Pro was the "milk". Like the difference between a "Trans Am" and an ordinary "Firebird".

The breech plug in the CVA APEX doesn't have a hex end. It is intended to be removed by hand for cleaning.

CVA APEX plug.






Accura/Win Apex/Optima plug

I can hardly wait for my Accura to arrive now.I ordered it from Cabelas and I just found out you can check the tracking of where its at and it says shipped Dec.12, and was origin scanned the 13/Columbus,which is only a hour away from me.Does this mean its in Columbus or thats where its heading next?Seems awfully fast for it to get here tommorow.I use standard shipping too.
Ohio's 2 shotgun season is this weekend and It would sure be nice to know when its coming so I know if ill have time to sight it in for this weekend....

My guess is your rifle will be out for delivery tomorrow. Check in the morning and it should let you know.

Be sure to thoroughly clean it when you get it.

UC, I take it CVA made the Winchester Apex? I kinda thought they looked pretty much the same as the CVA Kodiak. I have a Kodiak and I was'nt all that Impressed with it, it shot good but I did'nt like the receiver and action set up. The action cant be disassembeled for cleaning and it's attached to the barrel and get's in the way when you clean the barrel. It was the last ML I shot 150gr's of Pyrodox Pellets from (mag-load). It actually handled the load pretty well, I used 204gr XTP Mag, Win W209 Primers and 3-50gr Pellets, and shot 2"groups at 100yds.
But after just 2 Seasons and 2 Bucks I retired it for My New ACCURA's, it's still brand new looking but will most likely never be used again only if I need to loan it out for some reason.
(BP)

Sorry MountainDevil that last reply was suppos-to-be for you not Underclocked, but UC thank's for the pic's and the follow-up reply about the CVA Breechplugs. I see the APEX's Breechplug is redesigned and can be removed with your fingers. You also stated it was (easy) to remove after a bunch of shots with no problems. I read your report on the APEX and was Impressed! I think the Wife may have ordered me one for Christmas.......Lucky ME!
(BP)