CVA Sidelock Rifle Information Manual

BLACKPOWDER CHART SHOWING APPROXIMATE USE OF THE VARIOUS
GRANULATIONSÉ
FG(Commonly called Single ÒFÓ) The muzzleloading enthusiast finds
little use for this very coarse blackpowder. Its use is pretty much
restricted to the large bore (10, 8, 4 gauge) shotguns of yesterday.
FFG(Commonly called Double ÒFÓ) This is a very popular powder for
the larger (.45 to .58 caliber rifles). It is also used for 12, 16 and 20
gauge muzzleloading shotguns. While it is not considered a pistol
powder, it is sometimes used...

Pyrodex Pellets for .50 caliber come in two grain equivalents (as of this
printing 2/99) Ð 50 grains and 30 grains for .50 caliber; 60 grains for .54 caliber.
Pellets may be combined into multiple pellet loads to create several different
grain equivalent loads.
Pyrodex Pellets contain a black ignitor on one end. For best ignition, this
ignitor end of the pellet should be placed into the barrel first.
When using Pyrodex Pellets in CVA rifles, the MusketMagª Musket Cap
ignition system is recommended and a...

rifles are designed for use with bullets or sabots (not to be confused with Poly-
Patch) and most conical bullets. Some extremely large conical bullets cause
very high pressures due to poor fit to bore diameter, improper gas seal and
excessive mass. The use of any conical bullet over 400 grains or saboted bullet
over 300 grains  in a .50 caliber rifle could cause barrel damage resulting in a
non-warranty repair situation.
FOR BEST RESULTS WITH CONICAL BULLETS ALWAYS USE CVA
BUCKSLAYERª BULLETS. CVA...

Various manufacturers have introduced plastic sabots which are used with pistol bullets in
muzzleloaders. CVA and others have tested these sabots. Satisfactory results have been ob-
tained when following the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the sabots. It is important
to note that only those bullets recommended by the manufacturer of the sabot should be used.
Sabots MUST not be used with round balls.
K. PATCHES AND LUBRICANTS
1. The patch serves two purposes:
a. It is a gasket which seals the...

L.LOADING AND SHOOTING CVA CAPLOCK MUZZLELOADERS
1. Put on shatterproof shooting glasses and insert ear plugs, as both percussion and flintlock
guns may shower sparks or bits of caps/flints when fired.
2.Verify the gun is unloaded.
a. Place a ramrod down barrel to breech plug and mark
ramrod at muzzle.
b. Remove ramrod and lay along outside of barrel, lin-
ing up mark at muzzle.
c. The other end of the ramrod should be at the bolster
(or touch hole for flintlock models). This practice shows
the gun is...

8. Tap the butt of the rifle lightly on the ground to ensure that all powder drops into the
breech area of the gun.
9. Holding the rifle parallel to the ground with the lock side down, slap side of barrel in front
of lock. This will help to insure that powder will fully enter the bolster and nipple area,
greatly improving ignition of the powder charge.
10. For Patched Round Ball:
a. Center a well lubricated patch over bore. (Figure 12-1)
b. Press round ball with sprue (or flat portion) facing upward....

IMPORTANT: Be sure ball or bullet is seated firmly against powder. No air space should exist
between ball and powder.
HELPFUL HINT: A good method to determine proper load depth is to insert ramrod when firearm
is fully loaded and mark ramrod at the point where it protrudes from the muzzle. This mark should
serve as a reference point each time you load. If the mark is above muzzle, you know ball is not
against powder and charge must be removed.
14.
WITH GUN POINTED IN SAFE DIRECTION and hammer at...

M.LOADING AND SHOOTING CVA FLINTLOCK MUZZLELOADERS
NOTE: To prepare a FLINTLOCK, sandwich the flint between a piece of leather and clamp it
between the two jaws of the hammer. The angle of the beveled edge of the flint should be
positioned so that when fired, it points toward the pan. With no powder in the pan or in the barrel,
attempt a few dry fires to verify the position of the flint and the amount of spark. Place a small
amount of powder in the pan and fire. This will dry out the pan and touch hole....

d. FIRE
e. If the gun fails to fire, refer to Section O, Pulling a Charge.
N. CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
Blackpowder and Pyrodex are very corrosive. Therefore, careful cleaning of your muzzle-
loading firearm is extremely important. If left uncleaned for any length of time the fouling will
cause rust, pits, and degradation of the metal particularly around threaded areas.
 
The barrel attaching system on most CVA firearms allows for the barrel to be removed for
easier cleaning without disassembly. The...

O. PULLING A CHARGE
Under normal conditions a muzzleloading firearm is unloaded
simply by firing it into a suitable and safe backstop. There are,
however, some conditions under which the firearm cannot be
fired and the charge must be pulled.
THE TWO MOST COMMON CONDITIONS ARE AS FOL-
LOWS:
1. If the ball or bullet is not seated firmly against the powder
charge, stop immediately! Do not attempt to fire the rifle or
pistol. You must pull the charge and clean the barrel.
2. If the rifle or pistol is loaded...