My father passed this spring quite suddenly. All his guns came to me in the estate. He had a CVA Big Bore mountain rifle that he built from a kit in the late 1970's or maybe early 1980's.. I explained a bit more in another thread in the percussion section, but to make a long story short he only shot it a few times with little success. When it came to me I got it out this summer and was also having issues. The kit was listed as a 54 caliber, and that's what the barrel is stamped as, turns out its actually a 58 caliber big bore that was incorrectly stamped at the factory and I now have it shooting very well. My dad also had an old model 1892 44-40 that came to him from my uncle about 7 years ago. it had hung on my uncles wall with some other inherited firearms for over 50 years. When my dad passed so suddenly he had all kinds of projects on the go for me, leather knife sheaths etc, and walking into his shop after he passed was very difficult for me as it seemed he should be coming out from the house at any moment to continue work on the projects. I got brass, dies and bullets for the 44-40, and I got a deer with it a few weeks ago, I got the big bore figured out and it's going to the woods with me tomorrow. For my dad the passion was building the rifle from the kit and not so much hunting with it. For me it just seems like another unfinished project. I can't finish all the carpentry and other projects he started but for me getting these rifles shooting and being able to harvest a deer with them is helping me with closure. So tomorrow morning the weather looks like it will be a nice cool November blue bird Alberta day and I hope I can be successful with this rifle too and close another unfinished chapter!
Heading to the woods with my dad's big bore Mountain Rifle tomorrow.
- Thread starter Fatboyz
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DuncNZ
54 Cal.
Those .58 CVA rifles are great shooters , good luck on your hunt .
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so sorry for your loss
we think that our parents are invincible until suddenly they are gone. losing my parents was only surpassed by losing a child. ain't supposed to happen.
i will be sending all my good thoughts for your hunt.
a 92 in 44-40 turns my crank almost as much as a CVA mountain big bore!
we think that our parents are invincible until suddenly they are gone. losing my parents was only surpassed by losing a child. ain't supposed to happen.
i will be sending all my good thoughts for your hunt.
a 92 in 44-40 turns my crank almost as much as a CVA mountain big bore!
It sounds like your Dad raised you to appreciate the important things in life. The more you get into his unfinished projects the more you will understand what he thought was important. Have fun doing it and keep in mind that he may me up there watching you! 
Best wishes on your hunt.
Whether you get a shot or not, the important thing is hunting with the rifle he built in his memory.
Whether you get a shot or not, the important thing is hunting with the rifle he built in his memory.
Very good point! Had a great day walking in the woods with the rifle at the ready. No deer seen, tomorrow is another day to give it a go.
TDM
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All the sentiments said above and I wish the best of luck.
Well I gave her a good go these last 10 days. Our season ended today. I only had opportunities on bucks but I already filled my buck tag with my flintlock and only had a doe tag left. It was great to pack dads rifle around in the woods and that alone made it a success. It was -20C and snowing pretty hard all day today, the last day of our season. I have had the rifle loaded for the last 10 days and just before last light tonight I took aim on a big cottonwood to fire off the rifle so i could clean it and put it away when I got home. It fired without hesitation and hit the knot I was aiming at. Next season this will be the first rifle into the woods.
TDM
Cannon
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Your hunt was a success.
Please send some bucks down to me and I'll send up some does!!! ;-) All I saw this year were does.
Will be looking forward to next year's story.
Will be looking forward to next year's story.
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Good luck when you go hunting! Your dad will be there with you!
Update for 2023. Got the rifle loaded, possibles bag and horn ready. The Capote and haversack are by the door. Heading to the woods tomorrow to pick up where I left off last season. I have a buck tag this year and they’re running hard so hopefully can call one in for the Big bore.
Nice! It's still a good time in the woods whether you yet anything or not.
Fat,
I know what your going through. But sounds like your dad will be with you on this hunt as you use the rifle he built. Remember he is walking with you as if he was right beside you. If you listen closely you can probably hear him call the shot when the buck you didn't know was there steps out. Good for you in keeping his memory alive!
I know what your going through. But sounds like your dad will be with you on this hunt as you use the rifle he built. Remember he is walking with you as if he was right beside you. If you listen closely you can probably hear him call the shot when the buck you didn't know was there steps out. Good for you in keeping his memory alive!
Another cool morning today. First light in an hour. Headed to the woods. Regardless of the outcome it will be a great day in the woods!
Hoping for a favorable report. You look mighty cozy in that capote!
