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.45 long rifle BP loads
0oAKo47o0
Member Posts: 409 ✭✭
I have an old reproduction kentucky long rifle stamped "Connecticut Valley Arms, .45cal" I'm wondering how many grains of black powder to load with minimal stress to the barrel? I've read they didn't use the highest standard proofing the barrels and I don't want to overload it. Also, I have .454" round balls that came with my .44 remington, will they work in my rifle patched?
Comments
Free advice you did not ask for- 1. Use only real black powder, or a black powder replacement such as Pyrodex. Never use smokeless powder. 2. Never fire a rifle unless the ball is snugly seated against the powder charge. NO air space between powder and ball.
https://cva.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Side-lock.pdf
116, I cannot open that PDF here or at the CVA website, if you can it might be a help to copy that section here.
If you can't, they recommend a .440" patched ball and 50 to 80 grains of FFg.
Your .454" balls are too big.
I got that CVA PDF.
If you can't, they recommend a .440" patched ball and 50 to 80 grains of FFg.
Your .454" balls are too big.
0.440" Ball + 0.015" patch.
That 0.440 ball (pure lead) and 0.015 patch is a guide. Other combo's might shoot better, sometimes way better.
I. RECOMMENDED LOADING DATA - TABLE 1 The proper charge for any muzzleloading firearm is an efficient load which provides consistent ignition and velocity while keeping breech pressures below the maximum safe levels. The shooter should load using the minimum and maximum charge limitations shown in the table below. It is recommended to begin shooting using the minimum charge, gradually increasing the load to obtain the desired results. Tests have shown that heavier loads increase breech pressures while providing only a minor increase in velocity. These tests also indicate that heavier loads are less accurate.
7
TABLE 1 CALIBER PROJECTILE PATCH CHARGES IN GRAINS FIREARM DUAMETER-TYPE THICKNESS/INCHES MINIMUM MAXIMUM
.32 RIFLE .310 ROUND BALL .015 10 FFFG 30 FFFG .36 RIFLE .350 ROUND BALL .015 40 FFFG 60 FFFG .45 RIFLE .440 ROUND BALL .015 50 FFG 80 FFG .50 RIFLE .490 ROUND BALL .015 50 FFG 100 FFG .54 RIFLE .530 ROUND BALL .015 60 FFG 120 FFG .58 RIFLE .562 ROUND BALL .020 60 FFG 120 FFG .58 MUSKET .570 ROUND BALL .020 60 FFG 120 FFG .50 RIFLE .500 CONICAL NONE 50 FFG 100 FFG .54 RIFLE .540 CONICAL NONE 60 FFG 120 FFG .50 RIFLE .50 SABOT NONE 50 FFG 100 FFG .54 RIFLE .54 SABOT NONE 60 FFG 120 FFG .31 PISTOL .310 ROUND BALL NONE 5 FFFG 10 FFFG .45 PISTOL .440 ROUND BALL .015 20 FFFG 40 FFFG .50 PISTOL .490 ROUND BALL .015 20 FFFG 60 FFFG
J. PROJECTILES PowerBelt Bullets are the recommended projectile for use in all CVA sidelocks with a 1:48 twist (or faster). CVA bore diameters have been carefully matched with PowerBelt Bullet diameters to provide a safe optimum result when used with our recommended powder charges and projectiles in the appropriate caliber. CVA does not recommend the use of non-CVA approved projectiles for CVA rifles. This is due to the fact that CVA has no control over projectile bullet molds or saboted bullets sold and marketed by other manufacturers. Some projectiles produced by other manufacturers, especially saboted bullets, can produce high barrel pressures creating unsafe conditions. If you have questions concerning approved projectiles, contact the CVA customer service department at 5988 Peachtree Corners East, Norcross, Georgia 30071; 770-449-4687 or fax 770-242-8546, or visit us on the web at CVA.com or E-mail us at info@CVA.com
1. POWERBELT BULLETS - Bullets are conical projectiles with a plastic base. The base or ?belt? provides a perfect gas seal, eliminating accuracy robbing blow-by. Like sabots, the PowerBelt Bullet?s patented snap-on base creates a perfect gas seal, providing consistent pressures and un-surpassed accuracy. But unlike sabots, PowerBelt Bullets are easy to load and do 8 Figure 1
not require cleaning after every shot. And they are full caliber sized, so you get the most knock down power possible out of a muzzleloader. PowerBelt Bullets are available in .45, .50, and .54 calibers, copper coated or pure lead, with hollow points or AeroTips, and in a variety of grain weights. They are the #1 selling muzzleloading bullet on the market and the only bullet recommend for CVA in-line rifles. (Figure 9-A) 2. CONICAL BULLETS - such as the CVA Buckslayer Bullet and others of this type provide acceptable accuracy in all CVA firearms as well as increased knock down power desired by hunters. These projectiles are best suited for use in medium to fast twist rifling barrels which stabilize the bullet more rapidly. (Figure 9-B) 3. SABOTED BULLETS - Modern sabots from various manufacturers have been tested and provide acceptable accuracy in CVA firearms when complying with the sabot manufacturer?s recommendations for usage. Do not use a saboted bullet weighing more than 300 grains. Note: - Patched round balls are recommended for use in CVA sidelocks with a 1:66 twist. This is because the slower twist rate (1:66 twist) will not consistently stabalze most conical and saboted bullets.
Only round balls require the use of a lubricated patch. PowerBelt Bullets, conical bullets, and saboted bullets do not require the use of a patch nor is further lubrication of the bullet required.
I. RECOMMENDED LOADING DATA - TABLE 1 The proper charge for any muzzleloading firearm is an efficient load which provides consistent ignition and velocity while keeping breech pressures below the maximum safe levels. The shooter should load using the minimum and maximum charge limitations shown in the table below. It is recommended to begin shooting using the minimum charge, gradually increasing the load to obtain the desired results. Tests have shown that heavier loads increase breech pressures while providing only a minor increase in velocity. These tests also indicate that heavier loads are less accurate.
7
TABLE 1 CALIBER PROJECTILE PATCH CHARGES IN GRAINS FIREARM DUAMETER-TYPE THICKNESS/INCHES MINIMUM MAXIMUM
.32 RIFLE .310 ROUND BALL .015 10 FFFG 30 FFFG .36 RIFLE .350 ROUND BALL .015 40 FFFG 60 FFFG .45 RIFLE .440 ROUND BALL .015 50 FFG 80 FFG .50 RIFLE .490 ROUND BALL .015 50 FFG 100 FFG .54 RIFLE .530 ROUND BALL .015 60 FFG 120 FFG .58 RIFLE .562 ROUND BALL .020 60 FFG 120 FFG .58 MUSKET .570 ROUND BALL .020 60 FFG 120 FFG .50 RIFLE .500 CONICAL NONE 50 FFG 100 FFG .54 RIFLE .540 CONICAL NONE 60 FFG 120 FFG .50 RIFLE .50 SABOT NONE 50 FFG 100 FFG .54 RIFLE .54 SABOT NONE 60 FFG 120 FFG .31 PISTOL .310 ROUND BALL NONE 5 FFFG 10 FFFG .45 PISTOL .440 ROUND BALL .015 20 FFFG 40 FFFG .50 PISTOL .490 ROUND BALL .015 20 FFFG 60 FFFG
J. PROJECTILES PowerBelt Bullets are the recommended projectile for use in all CVA sidelocks with a 1:48 twist (or faster). CVA bore diameters have been carefully matched with PowerBelt Bullet diameters to provide a safe optimum result when used with our recommended powder charges and projectiles in the appropriate caliber. CVA does not recommend the use of non-CVA approved projectiles for CVA rifles. This is due to the fact that CVA has no control over projectile bullet molds or saboted bullets sold and marketed by other manufacturers. Some projectiles produced by other manufacturers, especially saboted bullets, can produce high barrel pressures creating unsafe conditions. If you have questions concerning approved projectiles, contact the CVA customer service department at 5988 Peachtree Corners East, Norcross, Georgia 30071; 770-449-4687 or fax 770-242-8546, or visit us on the web at CVA.com or E-mail us at info@CVA.com
1. POWERBELT BULLETS - Bullets are conical projectiles with a plastic base. The base or ?belt? provides a perfect gas seal, eliminating accuracy robbing blow-by. Like sabots, the PowerBelt Bullet?s patented snap-on base creates a perfect gas seal, providing consistent pressures and un-surpassed accuracy. But unlike sabots, PowerBelt Bullets are easy to load and do 8 Figure 1
not require cleaning after every shot. And they are full caliber sized, so you get the most knock down power possible out of a muzzleloader. PowerBelt Bullets are available in .45, .50, and .54 calibers, copper coated or pure lead, with hollow points or AeroTips, and in a variety of grain weights. They are the #1 selling muzzleloading bullet on the market and the only bullet recommend for CVA in-line rifles. (Figure 9-A) 2. CONICAL BULLETS - such as the CVA Buckslayer Bullet and others of this type provide acceptable accuracy in all CVA firearms as well as increased knock down power desired by hunters. These projectiles are best suited for use in medium to fast twist rifling barrels which stabilize the bullet more rapidly. (Figure 9-B) 3. SABOTED BULLETS - Modern sabots from various manufacturers have been tested and provide acceptable accuracy in CVA firearms when complying with the sabot manufacturer?s recommendations for usage. Do not use a saboted bullet weighing more than 300 grains. Note: - Patched round balls are recommended for use in CVA sidelocks with a 1:66 twist. This is because the slower twist rate (1:66 twist) will not consistently stabalze most conical and saboted bullets.
Only round balls require the use of a lubricated patch. PowerBelt Bullets, conical bullets, and saboted bullets do not require the use of a patch nor is further lubrication of the bullet required.