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I got this from my father

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Faultless

32 Cal
Joined
Jun 25, 2021
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He passed away and left it to me. I know nothing about it and he never mentioned it to me. Is it a real muzzle loader? Any ideas of the age. There are no brands or logos on it that I've seen.
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It's a CVA. I can tell by the lock, mine looks just like that. I think it's a Kentucky model with the 2 piece stock.

I believe with CVA the last 2 digits of the serial # are the year made, but don't quote me on that.
 
He passed away and left it to me. I know nothing about it and he never mentioned it to me. Is it a real muzzle loader? Any ideas of the age. There are no brands or logos on it that I've seen. View attachment 82592View attachment 82593View attachment 82594
First of all, welcome to the forum from North Carolina.

As others have mentioned, you have CVA. A real replica muzzleloader, made sometime in the late 20th century. Looks their ‘Kentucky’ model with a two piece stock. If bore is in good shape, can be a very accurate shooting gun. Typically not a high value gun (but who knows, current market is going crazy), but being your father’s gun, it moves into that ‘priceless’ category for you. Hang it on the wall. Show off your father’s gun. And if you get the urge, shoot it. People here will love to assist you in learning how to make go bang.
 
Those old CVA rifles were usually very accurate. They just were not exactly historically correct. Lots of them were and still are used for deer hunting and plinking.

If you take the time to learn how to clean and shoot it, you’ll most likely end up with a fine rifle with a great story.
 
If it has a 33" barrel it's a Kentucky rifle, longer and it's a Pennsylvania rifle. Probably CVA but those guns were marketed by allot of different companies. Same parts just different companies. Basically though, for all practical purposes, you can call it a CVA. CVA quite marketing the older style rifles like yours and only market inline guns now. Traditions now market the same guns.
 
Yes. If the gun is sound and maintained properly and loaded properly it can definitely be used for hunting. It would be wise to ensure the gun isn’t loaded. To do this, lay the ram rod along side the barrel (top or side) with one end even with the nipple. Then mark the other end even with the end of the barrel with a light pencil mark, piece of tape or hold it with your fingers.

Now insert the ram rod into the barrel. If it goes all the way in to your mark then it is empty. If not, then something is in the barrel, maybe a load. There’s been considerable discussion of this topic on this site which can give you more information. I would also recommend the Black Powder TV videos. He has lots of good information and presents it in an easy to understand and enjoyable format.
 
Looking at the condition of the lock and outside of the barrel you might have a rusty bore. You will need to take the lock out along with the barrel for a GOOD cleaning and lubricating. A new nipple will be in order also (my opinion). It will get you started in black powder shooting. Being a cap lock you can use a black powder substitute such as Pyrodex if you can't find real black powder -- whatever you do DO NOT USE smokeless powder! 😞
 
Anyone have a good video or blog to get me started with this rifle/style in particular? I have a bunch of firearm cleaning equipment. Any idea on the caliber of this? It looks 50 to me. But I could be wrong.
 
@Bob McBride has some good videos on his "Black Powder TV" station.

@B P Maniac Shooter also has several introductory videos that can help get you out to the range and making smoke.

Remember that whatever Powder you will be using, real black Powder or a black powder substitute, the charge is the volume equivalent of real black powder.
 
Your forum profile doesn’t give us any clue on where you live. There may be muzzleloading clubs or a forum member nearby that could provide some hands on assistance. Not suggesting you give your exact location, just a general location.

As mentioned above, have you confirmed there is no load in the bore? A very important detail that you do not want to over look.
 
For something a little different and fun, check out my thread “Wacky Shooting “ in the percussion rifle section. I’m using a Traditions Kentucky in .50 caliber. It’s much like your CVA.
 
Anyone have a good video or blog to get me started with this rifle/style in particular? I have a bunch of firearm cleaning equipment. Any idea on the caliber of this? It looks 50 to me. But I could be wrong.
The caliber should be marked on the barrel.
 
On YouTube check out Black Powder Maniac Shooter: ‘Muzzle Loading for Beginners’, ‘How To Clean A Black Powder Gun’ and a whole bunch of others too many to list.

Also on Black Powder TV check out the New Shooter Series. He also has a bunch of good videos.
 
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