Good load

[blackhorse]

I took my girlfriend to the CSMLA Winter Conference in Ft Lupton, CO this past weekend and she picked herself up a pretty nice used CVA caplock. She chose it herself after talking to some of the oldtimers and made her own deal. It was a goog deal and she is very happy. I am asking this question because I want her to see the replies written. Not that she doesn't beleive me LOL. What would be a decent load for this .54 cal. In Colorado, for muzzleloading big game .50 and .54 the RB/maxiball/bullet has to be a minimum of 210 grains per the DOW. She really does appreciate good advice.

 

[jtmattison]

.54 was a great choice of caliber for large game.
Roundball for a .54 is 230 grains. If you are after elk it should be plenty assuming you do your part and get close and place the shot well.
Not knowing the rifling twist of that rifle I will assume it is 1:48 and should be able to shoot rounball as well as a maxi type bullet pretty good.
If you go with a maxi, a 430 grain maxi-ball or maybe a 450 grain plains bullet with do the job for you.
Get a bunch of different prejectiles and some black powder and hit the range.
Finding the right load for your rifle is the fun part. You get to shoot it a bunch.
Good luck.

Huntin

 

[blackhorse]

I should have asked for amount of blackpowder for optimum load. No pyrodex.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I use 90 gr of FFg in my .54 with a 0.530" patched round ball (228 gr) for deer sized game. A conservative load for that caliber, yet it flattens deer. Never had the blessing of an opportunity to hunt elk, but I would boost it a bit I guess (if the accuracy remained) and look around 100 or 110 grains. Otherwize, I'd just have to get closer and/or wait for an ideal broadside shot. I have no doubt the 90 gr load would kill one within 80 yards with little problem.

I am adding a .54 Pennsylvania rifle to my rack, and I figure on finding something around 80 to 85 gr for that one (deer). As long as the ball exits and it is accurate I figure I have a good, killing load.

 

[merdean]

My .54 CVA Big Bore Mt. Rifle has a 1 in 66 twist and is at its best with 110gr FFg and a patched round ball. It shoots ok with 90 gr and a TC Maxi Ball. Both loads will down an Elk (and have). Some of the CVA Hawkens had 1 in 48 twist that may be even better with the Maxi Ball. I have recently switched to 777 because I ran out of BP. I am having great luck with the small bores. Haven't tried it in the .50 or .54 yet but I think it will do well with 90 gr 777 and PRB. :m2c:

 

[Landngroove]

"A conservative load for that caliber, yet it flattens deer." Well put! I could not have said it better myself.

 

[sneakon]

"Get a bunch of different prejectiles and some black powder and hit the range."

I agree. The folks I hunt with shoot a variety of loads/projectiles/powders depending on their particular rifle. Seems everything I shoot in .54 settles in at about 90 grains. My 1:48 TC Hawken shoots 425 maxiballs fairly well with 90 gr, but the 1:66 Green Mountain barrel shoots round balls, either .530 or .535 better with that black powder load. She might want to start with 60gr and work up. 90 and above does pack a little punch depending on the gun.

 

[Rat]

Just be aware...

I tried 777 and liked it at first, but did get a misfire, one each in each of my .58" minnie rifles, where there had never been misfires before.

Also, velocity variation can be "huge", and going from 777 to Swiss on both a rifle and a pistol reduced group size quite dramatically. Took almost 2" off the pistol, and took the rifle from 8"+ at 100 yards to 2.25" at 75.

Your results may vary, and 777 may work great in some rifles and pistols, but that was my experience. Certainly reliability will be less with 777, to some degree, possibly not enough to make a difference...but I believe it is a factor. However, for hunting I would want black powder in the rifle for sure, and not the higher ignition temps of the subs.

Swiss black powder is almost as clean burning as 777.

Rat