CVA WOLF - Hornady SST - ML

Muzzy2002 · Oct 30, 2016

Hey guys, I'm new to muzzle loaders and am trying some different loads and was looking for some pointers. I Have had a muzzle loader before but really brief and didn't get to shoot it much, i had to sell it due to hard times, which I regret doing as I should have never sold guns. I just picked up a nice CVA Wolf and I love it. Shoots well and is easy to work on. So, when I had my last muzzleloader (Thompson Center Impact) I was using triple 7 50/50 pellets, Remington 209 primers, and .50 power belts (250gr) and when I got this new CVA I didn't get anything with it for ammo, so my buddy let me try some TC Shockwave 250gr and they seem to work well. I'm using CCI magnum primers, hodgdon 50/50 pellets. ( I also have some hodgdon FFG loose powder that I have yet to try). Should I be using the loose powder instead of the pellets? So I'm out of ammo, so I ordered these Hornady SST-ML .50 sabots to try, they were pretty well priced and thought I'd give them a try. Haven't tried them yet but was wondering if anyone has had any luck with these or if they've heard any good things about them? Due to me being new to the sport, I'm looking for any suggestions and I appreciate any help I can get. Here's a link to the ammo I bought. Any help would be gladly appreciated.. Thanks.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/278052 ... -box-of-20

sawtoothscream · Oct 30, 2016

I used the 300gr SST and it put a fist size hole in the deer. My uncle uses the 250gr and they drop deer good as well

Loose powder allows you to dial in your loads compared to pellets that dont give you much options. That said same uncle uses two of those 777 pellets and has good results.

could check out hornady XTP as well. pretty cheap think I paid $30 for 50 300gr xtp and 50 harvester sabots have not tried them yet but the groups look good from what people have posted here.

Muzzy2002 · Oct 30, 2016

Thank you for your quick reply!! My buddy actually uses those same hornady xtp bullets and he says they're good also. I will have to look them up, I was also thinking about using the loose powder I hear the black horn is good stuff and burns clean. I'm going to use this stuff until I run out and then maybe try other stuff but this stuff seems to work well. I need to get more shooting time though I was only able to get 6 rounds out because I ran out of bullets. These are the ones he uses

sawtoothscream · Oct 30, 2016

Muzzy2002 said:
Thank you for your quick reply!! My buddy actually uses those same hornady xtp bullets and he says they're good also. I will have to look them up, I was also thinking about using the loose powder I hear the black horn is good stuff and burns clean. I'm going to use this stuff until I run out and then maybe try other stuff but this stuff seems to work well. I need to get more shooting time though I was only able to get 6 rounds out because I ran out of bullets. These are the ones he uses

I switched to BH209, can load and fire over and over unlike 777. Wish I bought it sooner but I have to drive almost 2 hrs to buy the stuff. Have a jug of 777 ill probably never use. BH is Pricey though and you still might have to clean it before every shot to see what your gun shoots like on a clean barrel. Think my first shot with my optima was about a inch high and 2" left at 100yds.
the xtp bullets can be bought in the reloading section at many sporting goods stores pretty cheap, just have to buy the right sabots for them.

Widude · Oct 30, 2016

Your setup should be fine for hanging a deer in the buck pole. I've shot many with the SSTs, though now mostly use the Hornady XTP bullet. I like to buy 'crush rib' sabots directly from Harvestor Muzzleloading.

If you gun is compatible with B209 powder I'd gravitate that way, if not loose 777 is my 2nd choice. Just measure some 'speedloaders' before the hunt or range outing.

Muzzy2002 · Oct 30, 2016

muskrat30 said:
Your setup should be fine for hanging a deer in the buck pole. I've shot many with the SSTs, though now mostly use the Hornady XTP bullet. I like to buy 'crush rib' sabots directly from Harvestor Muzzleloading.

If you gun is compatible with B209 powder I'd gravitate that way, if not loose 777 is my 2nd choice. Just measure some 'speedloaders' before the hunt or range outing.

So basically the pellets are ok but the loose stuff is better and black horn is better then 777?

wabowman · Oct 30, 2016

I use the SST 300gr . Great bullet, very accurate and expands good (unlike powerbelt).
As far as powder the BH is great stuff. You will need a BP for the BH powder.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Tannhauser · Oct 30, 2016

Muzzy2002 said:
muskrat30 said:

Your setup should be fine for hanging a deer in the buck pole. I've shot many with the SSTs, though now mostly use the Hornady XTP bullet. I like to buy 'crush rib' sabots directly from Harvestor Muzzleloading.

If you gun is compatible with B209 powder I'd gravitate that way, if not loose 777 is my 2nd choice. Just measure some 'speedloaders' before the hunt or range outing.

Click to expand...

So basically the pellets are ok but the loose stuff is better and black horn is better then 777?

"Better" is relative. Loose powder allows you to tune your load. With pellets you basically one load, usually two 50 gr pellets. If you rifle is accurate with that load, great. If not, you're out of luck.

Here's an example - my Acura shoots fist sized groups with 100 gr BH209 but shoots cloverleafs with 105 gr. Making a 5 gr difference is easy with loose powder, but impossible with pellets.

BH209 doesn't develop the crud ring of 777, so it's preferred by many who want to shoot frequently without a lot of swabbing. I use both, depending on which rifle I'm taking out.

BH209 vs 777 vs black powder has a strong component of personal preference. Going with loose powder over pellets is almost always going to yield improved accuracy.

Muzzy2002 · Oct 30, 2016

wabowman said:
I use the SST 300gr . Great bullet, very accurate and expands good (unlike powerbelt).
As far as powder the BH is great stuff. You will need a BP for the BH powder.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

so to use the black horn I need a special breech plug?

Muzzy2002 · Oct 30, 2016

Tannhauser said:
Muzzy2002 said:

muskrat30 said:

Your setup should be fine for hanging a deer in the buck pole. I've shot many with the SSTs, though now mostly use the Hornady XTP bullet. I like to buy 'crush rib' sabots directly from Harvestor Muzzleloading.

If you gun is compatible with B209 powder I'd gravitate that way, if not loose 777 is my 2nd choice. Just measure some 'speedloaders' before the hunt or range outing.

Click to expand...

So basically the pellets are ok but the loose stuff is better and black horn is better then 777?

Click to expand...

"Better" is relative. Loose powder allows you to tune your load. With pellets you basically one load, usually two 50 gr pellets. If you rifle is accurate with that load, great. If not, you're out of luck.

Here's an example - my Acura shoots fist sized groups with 100 gr BH209 but shoots cloverleafs with 105 gr. Making a 5 gr difference is easy with loose powder, but impossible with pellets.

BH209 doesn't develop the crud ring of 777, so it's preferred by many who want to shoot frequently without a lot of swabbing. I use both, depending on which rifle I'm taking out.

BH209 vs 777 vs black powder has a strong component of personal preference. Going with loose powder over pellets is almost always going to yield improved accuracy.

Thank you for your response. I'm just learning the dos and donts on black powder so I'm picking up as I go. I didn't have anything black powder as far as tools, accessories or anything so I've been picking a few things up here and there. Went out yesterday and had a blast with a buddy and my wife. I have another rifle also. It's a CVA Hawken .50 that my father bought brand new back in the early 90s and only shot a few times. He passed it on to me and I plan to mess with it once I get used to this sport and can gather enough info.

wabowman · Oct 30, 2016