New ML

[sjsfire]

Hey everyone, This is my first post. I just got my first ML at Christmas time and I'm getting ready to start shooting. I bought a brand new in the box CVA Wolf 50 cal for $100 so I didn't think that was bad to start off with. Got a Bushnell 1.5x4.5x32 scope mounted this week. I bought some 245gr Power Belt bullets, loose Pyrodex, Pyrodex 50/50 pellets, powder measure, all the cleaning goodies, etc. I'm going to be using this on deer. When I'm sighting in I'll be playing around with the powder combinations starting with the 50/50 pellets and then working on some loose powder loads starting at 80 gr and working my way up from there. I'll probably start by swabbing out the barrel after every couple of shots and then every shot to get as good as group as I can. Someone told me to use a 50-50 mix of windshield washer fluid/rubbing alcohol to swab between shots. Do anyone of you have anything else that works good for you? I'm new to this so any help is appreciated. I've been deer hunting for 20+ years and went from a 870 to a 1187 12 gauge with a rifled barrel cantilever scoped Nikon 2x7x32 Pro Staff. I'm good out to 130 yards with that. Just want to try something new. Thanks

[NitroHunter]

Welcome to the SHF!
Sounds like you have most of the bases covered.
I'm sure when kodiakhunter checks back in that he'll be able to give you some good advise....he knows his muzzleloading!

[kodiakhunter]

Thanks Nitro, and welcome sjsfire. It does sound like you have the bases covered, and it just so happens, that I have a CVA Wolf also. I believe that somewhere here in the smoke-pole section there was a problem with powder/plastic residue building up just forward of the chamber area, when using 777 powder. I had that same problem too (when using the 50 gr pellets). Keep in mind, that the Wolf, as well as most, or all other in-lines are designed to throw the magnum charge. That's not to say you can't shoot a reduced load, but in all honesty, I wouldn't shoot anything less than 100 grains of powder, especially out of a 24" barrel. I have found through experience, that the cleanest, most efficient powder is the American Pioneer brand. It comes in either loose, or sticks. Don't be puzzled by the shape of the "sticks", as they work quite well, assuring that the bullet is seated firmly. I personally use the Jim Shockey Gold line, in the stick form. Their advertisement says 5000 shots without swabbing the barrel. I don't think that he(Jim Shockey) would put his rep on the line if it weren't true. And please, NO, THIS IS NOT A PLUG FOR HIS ENDORSEMENT. I just know that it burns clean in my rifle, and has excellent consistancy. You may also find that the Wolf will throw a 245-270 grain bullet a little tighter than one of say 300 grains or more. I use the Powerbelt 245 gr hollow point, and it's quite accurate in my rifle.
One thing that I would like to give you a heads-up on, is that you have to clean the barrel very thouroughly, and oil it down good when you intent to store it for any length of time. I don't know if it's the steel, or what, but my hunting partner has a Wolf, as well as his wife, and last season,('05), the cleaned & put them in a padded hard-case, and put them under his bed when they were through for the season. Several months later, he pulled thm out for one reason or another, & both barrels were rusted so bad, that his rifle was almost unsalvagable. I know, because I'm the one that cleaned them up for him. He still was able to use his, he took two does this deer season, but I really felt bad for him. I keep mine in a gun cabinet & I monitor mine closely. I have noticed some slight pitting occuring in the breech area. It helps to use a little anti-sieze lube on the breech plug threads also. CVA makes some, that works well.
I hope that this info has been helpful, and I wouldn't tell you anything if I hadn't been my experience as well. I hope that your smoke-pole will give you many years of good service. I'm always willing to help out, & if there's any more questions or problems, I'd be glad to help.
Thanks & Good-Shootin'..................Wayne.