10 Questions from a new Blackpowder Owner
 

Hi All,
I bought my first Blackpowder rifle today. Not being sure how I would like it I bought a cheap starter gun that seemed to have pretty good reviews. I bought the CVA Wolf 209 and was wondering if folks could point me in the right direction for figuring this thing out.

I've always been interested in blackpowder so I was pretty excited to be bringing one home (I made the wife drive and read the manual on the way). When we got home I broke the gun down, cleaned it from end to end and then put it back together. I fired four or five caps through it (recommend in the manual to burn any left over shipping grease out) and then loaded and fired it. The gun worked like a charm and I was able to hit a coke can (standing, offhand) from 10 yards so should be able to get it on the paper when I sight it in tomorrow.

Since I only bought the gun (no kit) I'm using iron sites and my ammunition is just whatever the Gander Mountain clerk recommended. The primary use will be hunting whitetails.

Here's what I"m shooting:
2 x 50gr Pyrodex Pellets
Remington Kleanbore 209 primers
200 gr ShockWave bullets (in mag express sabots)

I also bought a TC cleaning kit that has Bore butter, Super Lube, TC No 13 bore cleaner and 2 1/2" patches.

So, my questions:
1) is there a "blackpowder bible" or something along those lines? A good starter site on the internet to read through? A stupid questions for newbies post on the forum somewhere?

2) Is the ammunition good? 200gr seems a little light to me for a .50cal but... like I said, I have no idea.

3) When loading the Sabot/Bullet what's the best way to do it? Do you put them in separately and then use the ramrod to push it all tight, or just fit them together loosely and put them in or push them together tight and then put them in? I went with the second method and things went down the barrel a LOT easier than I thought they would/should but, again, I have no idea.

4) Is there anything else that I need to take care of this thing? I've hunted all of my life so I have all of the standard cleaning kits (mostly with Hopps #9).

5) I've seen a few posts here that claim "NO OIL" but I don't understand the reasoning for that. Is it a hard rule or personal preference? When I cleaned it after firing I used bore butter in places that I would normally put oil (exterior of the barrel, etc.).

6) Powder vs Pellets?

7) I get the "try different bullets until you find what the gun likes" thing but have you seen the number of bullets available? Any favorites that I should play with? At $14-$20 a pop experimentation could get expensive... yeah?

8) How clean is clean enough? I must have used a dozen patches cleaning the barrel and bore plug when I cleaned it. I'm good with that if it's required but don't want to be wasting them.

9) My other hobby is woodworking and I've always wanted to build a gun. I like the historic/classic style of blackpowder rifles so assuming things go well will probably start working on one in the spring. Does anyone have good resources (websites and such) for that?

10) Any "gotchas" or huge safety concerns that people commonly get caught out on? The manual said "don't use smokeless powder" about 25 times so I won't be trying that. Anything else? (Interesting note: The manual actually said "WILL result in injury or death" rather than the usual "MAY result in..." I can take a hint :)

Thanks in advance for your time. Any help that you can provide is greatly appreciated.

-- Jinksto

1) is there a "blackpowder bible" or something...

A: plenty o' literature, and a sight search here will answer many questions, though I prefer the "shoot and ask questions later" approach :D

2) Is the ammunition good?

A: I'd feel confident with 100gr powder and the 200gr shockwave (assuming it shot straight), though I personally shoot the 250gr shockwaves or 240gr XTPs. I'd probably start with 240gr XTPs in that little rifle, as they're cheaper and you probably won't be shooting it very far anyways. Your problem lies in the powder; pellets are more expensive and allow less 'customization' of loads.

3) When loading the Sabot/Bullet what's the best way to do it?

A: Stick the bullet in the sabot, then in the barrel followed by the short starter......

4) Is there anything else that I need to take care of this thing?

A: BP guns are easy to clean. The burnt propellants break down easily with relatively mild solvents. Don't forget your breech plug and the threads inside the barrel with a breech plug brush. Other than that, some grease for the plug, some rem-oil inside and out and she's good.

5) I've seen a few posts here that claim "NO OIL" but I don't understand the reasoning for that.

A?: Gun oil works perfectly fine for storage. However, are you referring to oiling sabots possibly? Don't do it :D

6) Powder vs Pellets?

A: Powder, no questions...

7) I get the "try different bullets until you find what the gun likes"

A: Powder charge is more important than the bullet, in my experience; though operator error and loose optics are easily 2 of the biggest problems ;)

8) How clean is clean enough?

A: When she's clean, she's clean, and there won't be any guessing whether or not she's still dirty. Then grease/oil/reassemble....done.

9) My other hobby is woodworking and I've always wanted to build a gun.

A: A few guys here have done builds....ask around :)

10) Any "gotchas" or huge safety concerns that people commonly get caught out on?

A: Basically.....don't use smokeless powder :D Take your ramrod out of the barrel after loading. Be aware of seating depth. It's been a pretty safe sport lately.


Any advanced questions, I'd probably PM borecleaningweasel

Throw out the bore butter.

Thanks for the answers! I really appreciate you taking the time. I know most of these are pretty stupid but yesterday was the second time in my life that I even picked up a BP gun.

-J

Welcome to the sport!

Check out CVA's website. They have some tutorial videos that take you step-by-step through cleaning and shooting. Obviously they are going to try to sell you some CVA gear, so don't get too hung up on that stuff.

As far as gun building, check out Dixie Gun Works. I'm sure there's many other places, but that's where I've done some of my shopping.

Have fun make sure you don't use smokeless powder:p

rw

There are no stupid questions. If there is something you need to know just ask. I am sure there will be someone that can answer it for you.

reference http://s858.photobucket.com/albums/a....jpg&&newest=1 I should add I was using Winchester triple se7en 209 primers.

There are people that love Bore Butter and just as many that hate it. Personally I don't use it as it is only good if all the moisture is out of the rifle before leaving any on the surfaces either inside or outside the bore. It can trap moisture under it and cause rusting. T/C sort of pushes it but I personally have never seen any benefit from its use and have seen some rust when the barrel was not completely bone dry before adding the Butter.

The powder is fine though I like 777 better because it cleans up better. I haven't been happy with the shockwave bullets shot 2 deer withem and they exploded befor penatrating both were H/L shots and both required 2 shots. I've had great success with 295 gr powerbelts and highly recomend them. When I clean my bp gun I use patches till they come out with verry little blk on them then put a oily patch then a dry patch and set the gun barrel down for 3 to 5 days.

I only use bore butter to load up and lube the ribs on Maxi Balls.