CVA Kentucky Rifle 45 questions

[w_dexter]

I have the chance to buy one these rifles in 45 cal unfired(cheap) from a friend who has had this rifle for several years,its factory built I think and looks good for a lower priced rifle....I am just wondering how it would compare in the accuracy dept say to a T/C or a Lyman,etc. the bore is clean as can be as is the rest of the gun,it just has a single trigger tho which I dont like...anyway your thoughts appreciated....thanks

 

[MikeChapin]

I built an old CVA Kentucky flinter for a friend last year. It was pre-1977 kit that had come around through several owners before landing with my friend.

I took it out and worked up a load when I finished it. With 45 grains 3F, a .015 ticking patch, and .440 ball it will shoot into less than an inch at 50 yards off the bench.

My friend is still trying to get over the flintlock flinchies but he is getting used to the straight trigger.

I shoot a straight trigger about the same as I do a set. There is a screw in the tumbler that will allow you to adjust sear engagement and give you a decent trigger pull.

 

[Linc]

If you can get it cheap then I would say go for it. You can always resell it if you don't care for it or get the accurracy that you want.

 

[rawhide]

I have one my wife shoots now. my load is 60 grains of FFFg a cast .440 ball and a .015 patch. I one a few rondys with this number. and last year I worked up a sweet deer load with a 225 grain minnie. with the same powder charge.

 

[SgtSchutzen]

I have one I built from a kit about 30yrs ago. I like it. They`re not fancy rifles, but mine is a good shooter and reliable. I actually like single triggers better than set one`s, but thats just my opinion, others will differ. I shoot .440 balls with pillow ticking patches. Seems to shoot best with about 45/50grs of fffg but I load it up with 60grs for deer hunting.

 

[hanshi]

It is amazing how accurate currently made cheapy can be. I'm no authority by any stretch, but I've come to think of black powder as an "accuracy" powder. I've gotten my best accuracy in some modern guns - .38spl to .45 Colt - loading black powder with lead bullets. Barrel making is so well done, nowadays, that the barrel alone on many otc guns is worth more than the rest of of the parts combined.

 

[ohio ramrod]

The early (60's and early seventies ) had a shallow "scratch" rifling and were not very accurate. When they switched to the jugar barrels with deeper and slower twist rifling they greatly improved the accuracy. The main problems was with the poor quality locks on the flints. The percusions were a reasonable good gun for the money.And they have won a lot of matches competing with high dollar guns! :hmm:

 

[tg]

I have had three of these over the years all (caplock)bought used for under $100, they shot wel enougyh I did find that the moderate loads were more accurate withthe shallow rifling they had, not something for seriousd reenacting but adequate for hunting/plinking, I have taken several Deer abd losts of squirrels with these guns, good to keeep arouind as loaners or for taking kids out to shoot, I would shy away from the flitlocks though I have had a few production flinters and they were less than desirable compared to guns with Chambers/L&R/Siler locks, but these locks cost more than I paid for the guns, I found one in the trunk of a car under a pile of newspapers purchased off a cheapo used car lot.

 

[Josh Smith]

Before it got too cold to go prone, I used one of these at 50, 55 yards to put one ball though the same hole as the previous. In fact, I had thought I had missed until I saw the backing!

This was with a 60gn charge if I remember correctly.

I just got it sighted in that day (though it's still shooting about 1/2" to the left at 50yds) and then a cold snap came along that hasn't broken yet.

I'm anxious to see what I can do come spring.

Josh

 

[Walks Alone]

"The early (60's and early seventies )..."

Early 60's would be a neat trick from a company that wasn't established until 1971. :wink:

Earliest Kentucky's were advertised as 44 caliber (.451 bore) by CVA, later as 45 caliber (mid 70's ?) and later yet offered in 50 caliber (80's ?). The 45 I had was an excellent shooter, especially being as cheap of an entry level arm as they were intended to be. Even by the mid late 70's kits only had a $69-75 MSRP.

 

[graybeard]

I bought a CVA "Kentucky" caplock in the early 80s. Lately have gone to flint only, but shot that CVA for many years. It was more accurate than I am. :v Found, however, a 45 grain load of 3f and a .440 ball worked the best. graybeard

 

[w_dexter]

Rifle in question here was purchased in new 1985

 

[ohio ramrod]

"The early (60's and early seventies )..."

Early 60's would be a neat trick from a company that wasn't established until 1971. :wink:

Earliest Kentucky's were advertised as 44 caliber (.451 bore) by CVA, later as 45 caliber (mid 70's ?) and later yet offered in 50 caliber (80's ?). The 45 I had was an excellent shooter, especially being as cheap of an entry level arm as they were intended to be. Even by the mid late 70's kits only had a $69-75 MSRP.

Once again my old memory is a little foggy as to exact dates. I stand corrected. :idunno:

 

[S.Kenton]

I have one.. at 50 yrds with 60 grains of 777, .015 pre-lubed patch and a .440 round ball. HARD TO BEAT AT 50 yrds with the fact. buckhorn sites. I just got adjustable sites not long ago..I can go to 100 yrds with those and still hold a 3 inch group. GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!

 

[S.Kenton]

AS a matter of fact.. my cheepo CVA 45 cal. is probably better in the accuracy dept. than my 50 cal. Thompson Center. But then again it could just be me..? :idunno:

 

[Walks Alone]

Once again my old memory is a little foggy as to exact dates. I stand corrected. :idunno:

No fault. :thumbsup:
Most of us are at "that" time in life. I can usually remember what I did yesterday, but not the day before sometimes. And its been years since I could remember what I did tomorrow. :v

 

[Greg Hardy]

I have one that I got about fifteen years ago that had been 'assembled'. After taking four inches off of the barrel and making it a half-stock, very handy and accurate. I shot it in a few matches and did very well.

 

[russecv58]

i have one of these in percussion, and its a great lil' shooter. in fact my son shoots the heck out of it. .440 round ball, 60 grains FFFg, and a .015" pillow tick patch. for squirrels and such we load it down to 20-25 grains, but keep the shots within 25 yards. accurate as can be.

 

[Teleoceras]

W Dexter:

Mine is the first gun I ever owned after my Dad built her from a kit 30 years ago. I still shoot the old girl and have found that 50gr. FFg with a .44rb/.010 patch has been the most accurate load at 50 yards. On a calm day, I usually get 2"-3" groups.

Slowmatch Forever!
Teleoceras

 

[Josh Smith]

W Dexter:

Mine is the first gun I ever owned after my Dad built her from a kit 30 years ago. I still shoot the old girl and have found that 50gr. FFg with a .44rb/.010 patch has been the most accurate load at 50 yards. On a calm day, I usually get 2"-3" groups.

Slowmatch Forever!
Teleoceras

What are you using?

Before the weather went cold (meaning snow on the ground), I used mine as a chunk gun at 50 yards.

I don't remember the load, but I plunked three through the same hole.

That's when I stopped for the day -- always stop feeling good!

I'm wanting to say the load was 50gns 2Fg, patched round ball, 10:1 or 20:1 lead/tin (harder to load, but keeps its shape better and seems more accurate due to this), and I believe the patch was "super muslin" from Walmart, which, in reality, is more of a twill fabric (similar to drill). At that time I had started using 50/50 beeswax/olive oil as lube.

The previous owner (builder?) sharpened the front sight, too, so it's like a pinpoint, next best thing to a 'scope.

Josh