CVA officianados...barrel question

[longrifle346]

I have a chance to buy a 50 CVA fullstock for a good, borderline great, price. I'm assuming it's a Kentucky but I haven't seen it yet, no bore pics so far, so I'm looking at worst case scenario.

Does the CVA barrel have enough metal to take that 50 to 54?

 

[Rifleman1776]

A picture would help. What style? How old is it? Size of barrel across flats? Very early CVAs were junk.
Need to know more to advise.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

A CVA fullstock, sounds like one of those junky two piece stock with the brass spacer in the middle guns. No fly in the tumbler, hard trigger pulls generally. The middle to later model run guns did have good round ball barrels capable of some really good accuracy, the rest was "not great" I thought CVA only sold 45 cal in the full stock model. Traditions sold some in 50 as I recall. There were some CVA models that were only available a year or two, some not even in the catalogues. Need more info.

 

[necchi]

I don't think the older CVA Kentucky's have a true 15/16 barrel, they're a bit smaller.

An out fit called DeerCreek Products does have new rpl barrels for the rifle at a price about the same as a re-bore job. They have no web site, but I know I could have gotten a .45 barrel for $90 and shipping,, never asked about a .50

Re-bore is around 120 plus shipping both ways

 

[necchi]

I thought CVA only sold 45 cal in the full stock model. Traditions sold some in 50 as I recall. There were some CVA models that were only available a year or two, some not even in the catalogues.

Yeah, that's my recallection too. Those split stocks are currently available from Traditions in 50 only. They picked up the rights from CVA when CVA dropped traditionzl guns.

The old split stock did indeed get a bad rap, Many of these kit guns where just slapped together `hodge-podge, usually fully assembled and finished buy the 28th of December after receiving it as a Christmas gift.

But there's some tricks that can be done to turn them into some surprisingly good shooters. I have a soft spot for that slow twist 33 1/2" 45 cal barrel, it can be a tack driver. :wink:

 

[cowpoke1955]

I bought a used .45 CVA Kentucky years ago. When it arrived, the bore was almost rusted shut. I bought a new barrel from Deer Creek. They are the only place to get parts for CVA traditional muzzle loaders. As mentioned, they don't have a web site. I got the phone number from mykeal, a member here on the forum. I saw a picture of a CVA Kentucky that had the brass stock spacer replaced with a wooden home made spacer. Yhey sanded and stained it to match the stock. It blended very well. By the way, CVA changed the Kentucky from .45 to .50 caliber just before Traditions took over. The CVA Kentucky will never be a collector's item, but all that I've seen were straight shooters :thumbsup:

 

[Leatherbark]

A CVA Kentucky 50 will most likely be the same 7/8ths inch barrel the 45 KY had. It could maybe be bored to .54 ,but I would advise against it. The barrel walls would be very thin......The only .54 I know with a 7/8ths inch barrel is the Pedersoli Blue Ridge/Frontier and the manufacturer said on a forum that it was made from a special steel.........Even though it was light I did not like mine because of the mirage affecting sighting after 5 shots..........

Heat mirage that is. In addition the reboring and re rifling would cost more than the gun will be worth when you are finished.....

Bob

 

[Bill Hall]

I too am thinking it might be that two piece Kentucky model, and I also believe they only came in .45 cal. You might just double check on that caliber before you buy it, or make plans on altering the barrel. The outside barrel dimensions are pretty narrow, like someone said, less than 15/16", so if it is a true .50 cal, probably best to leave it that way.

CVA's aren't the best quality in the world (my way of saying I think they are junk), But I've never seen or shot one that didn't have superb accuracy. If you can get around the mechanical problems, you will have a real shooter. Bill

 

[longrifle346]

I have one of the older Kentucky 45s, it's a really accurate shooter. But awhile back I saw a CVA 50 that was either professionally done or someone took great pains to put it together. I'm hoping the bore is good or at least salvageable, I can do the cosmetics. This one BTW has set triggers.....

 

[Leatherbark]

I do believe that before CVA ceased production of their sidelocks the Kentucky was increased to 50 caliber.

Bob

 

[longrifle346]

As I mentioned in my original post I haven't seen this one yet, things are being handled by email at this point but I hope to have pics today or tommorrow. If it looks promising I'll make a two hour drive with bore light in hand to complete the deal. For a hundred bucks it's worth the drive, I gotta go that way anyhow...

I've come to really like the older CVA Kentuckys. No, not a custom gun but you don't want to stick your eye out from behind the tree at 50 yards with the one I have aimed your way.... :nono:

 

Ever heard the saying "pouring good money after bad" While the barrels are generally good if they have been properly cared for. Unless you are getting it for less than $75, you will spend more than it's worth to rebore. Pulling the breech on them can at times destroy them, because of the way they were factory fit. I would find a Lyman, TC, or even a Traditions in the caliber you want. That said, they are a great platform to learn stock shaping, carving, metal working, browning, rust blueing, and other building skills without major money, or fear of messing up. Even the factory guns, though of no real style or period, have too much wood, and pour metal finish. Making them a great practice platform. Also a good Youth starter gun. That's my two pence.

Bill

 

Ever heard the saying "pouring good money after bad" While the barrels are generally good if they have been properly cared for. Unless you are getting it for less than $75, you will spend more than it's worth to rebore. Pulling the breech on them can at times destroy them, because of the way they were factory fit. I would find a Lyman, TC, or even a Traditions in the caliber you want. That said, they are a great platform to learn stock shaping, carving, metal working, browning, rust blueing, and other building skills without major money, or fear of messing up. Even the factory guns, though of no real style or period, have too much wood, and pour metal finish. Making them a great practice platform. Also a good Youth starter gun. That's my two pence.

Bill

 

[Kentuckywindage]

If the price is right go for it. Im not sure if the cost would even be worth reaming it out to 54cal.

As far as junk, i think most here would have enough sense to know that a heavy trigger pull on a cva sidelock is cured with a $12 adjusted tumbler.

As far as the 2 piece stock design, my traditions kentucky uses it and its accurate as heck.

I honestly have no clue where these guys pull this stuff out of. :idunno:

 

[SgtSchutzen]

I`ve been shooting and hunting with one of those cheap CVA Kentuckys since I built it from a kit back in the early 80`s. In fact, it`s my favorite deer rifle because it`s accurate as heck and points good for me. Mine is a .45cal and has a small screw in the lock to adjust the trigger pull.

 

[smokeum54]

No, not a custom gun but you don't want to stick your eye out from behind the tree at 50 yards with the one I have aimed your way.... :nono:

same way i feel about them. most of my serious target guns are cheap CVA's.

 

[cowpoke1955]

If you check some past threads on this forum, you'll see a lot of folks started their black powder fever with a CVA Kentucky, back in the 70's and 80's. As with SgtSchutzen, these low cost CVA Kentucky's have accounted for a lot of deer. They will put meat on the table as well as a $2,ooo custom job, just not as pretty.

 

[longrifle346]

As did I cowpoke. I have several TC Hawken/Renegades on my rack right now and multiple barrels to go with them. They're great rifles. But if I were going to a shooting match or woods walkin' all day I'd grab the old CVA 45 Kentucky I bought from a forum member here. Excellant condition and the proverbial tack driver when I bought it but I still broke her down and trimmed alot of fat from her last month. Just a nice, no frills, quick handling hunting rifle.

 

[ebiggs1]

It seems like the important questions have not been answered. Is it what you want and can you afford it? If the answer is, yes, than buy it. :hmm:
If it is a project gun, that is another question you need to consider. :hmm:

 

[cas]

CVA Kentucky's came in .50

One of the kits was my first muzzleloader, 1989 IIRC.