New to Muzzleloading - just bought a CVA Wolf

Just bought my first muzzleloader. CVA wolf with iron sights. Picked the Wolf after reading a lot of positive reviews on this forum.

Now my plan is to use White Hots as propellant.

Looking to see what bullets forum Wolf owners are using/recommend & what primers also?

I was watching a few videos on the powerbelt and I don't really understand how if they load so easily - yet the company claims the "bullet" fully engages the rifling when fired? It seems to me that the only thing that would engage is the expanding cup at the back? I was also watching some Barnes marketing vids where they seem to go pretty hard at the Powerbelt for not seating consistently and lack of expansion. Anyone using powerbelts have any issues with inconsistent seating or pass through issues?

Cheers

I'm relatively new to the sport so I'm interested in the answer as well. I've shot my Pursuits 20 times. I'm using Triple Seven and Powerbelts. I have found the loads consistent and accurate. The only problem I had with the gun was cleaning it properly so that the barrel doesn't rust. I finally used some MikePal advise and cleaned the barrel using hot water then applied G96 as a rust inhibitor.

I had no issues with Powerbelts but they certainly get criticized on other boards.

Not sure about pass through issues because I haven't used it to hunt yet.

I know guys that have had issues. Not all bores are same diameter so you are apt to get good results on some and not so good with others.

If your guns are compatible with BH209 you might want to try that. That stuff is great but make sure your manufacturer has posted acceptable loads for your gun.

I own a wolf and use 2 triple 7 pellets, a 300gr SST bullet and Winchester or CCI 209 primers with good results.

I've had mixed results with Powerbelts. Some have held together and some have fragmented. Currently using the 270 grain platinum but I think I'm going to go up to the heavier (330 grain?) to shed some velocity. Accuracy has always been good with them.

I use 2 x 50 grain Triple Seven pellets.

I'll say one thing as a newcomer to ML, I find the weapon and technique high maintenance. I'm a little uncomfortable with the number of variables involved in this weapon. I forgot to swab the gun and fire a primer to prepare the barrel after a few months of storage. My first shot wasn't even on the 4'X4' page. It's a great weapon if you like to doink around in the off season but I'm afraid I ain't one of those guys. I long for my HR single shot slug gun I traded for this ML.

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Originally Posted by DanO

I'll say one thing as a newcomer to ML, I find the weapon and technique high maintenance. I'm a little uncomfortable with the number of variables involved in this weapon. I forgot to swab the gun and fire a primer to prepare the barrel after a few months of storage. My first shot wasn't even on the 4'X4' page. It's a great weapon if you like to doink around in the off season but I'm afraid I ain't one of those guys. I long for my HR single shot slug gun I traded for this ML.

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I used to be a 'doinker' until our daughter was born. Hahahaha. I've turned into the opposite now (I'll hit the range a few times before hunting season), which is partially why I didn't want to put big $$ down on a rifle to give muzzleloading a try. I'm looking for the KISS components and process to get the job done.

Dumb question ... can you use a 28ga bore snake to run through your ML for cleaning?

Dumb question 2 .... what's the theory on firing off a primer before use? Cleaning out the barrel of any oils?

With property in muzzle loader only wmu I have a couple tradition pursuits get some T17 foaming bore cleaner it makes life much easier spray in the barrel let it sit 10-15 minutes swab it out then oil swab
Get some wonderlube/butter for breech plug threads good to go

I use cotton mop to oil
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Bullets: I buy exclusively from PR bullets (https://www.prbullet.com/escn.htm)..an award winning Canadian company (Anola, MB) that sells some of the best bullets on the market. I use their Keith Nose myself, but I hunt sub 100yd ranges. If your into longer distances their Dead Center is a great bullet. They have a few sales thru the year to stock up.

Shooting; shooting an ML is basically like re-loading on the fly. You have to follow procedures, a recipe for each shot. It's just a matter of getting into a routine. The 'swabing' is just another step, becomes part for load procedure.

I like the variables, they enhance the whole experience, makes the 'gun' far more part of the hunt. Wait till you experience a re-load while in the stand with a Buck staring at you ...thrill of a life time ..LOL...

Pre-load primer shot ....basically to remove any condensation, but also a good safety step to ensure you didn't leave a load in the barrel the last time to had the gun out.

I have pretty much converted to ML hunting. It's become my favorite season, easily the best weather, most of the time snow is down by then and the deer are still rutting.

I think firing a primer before loading is also to make sure the flash hole is clear. I used to point the muzzle at the ground and make sure the leaves would move when the primer went off. The problem was that I found the gun even harder to get clean after firing a primer than when actually firing a full load. Now I just make sure I can see light through the flash hole before I load it up and don't bother with shooting the primer. It doesn't seem to affect accuracy, at least in my gun anyway. I'm shooting an older CVA Optima Pro.

Dan-O... I own an H & R single shot slug gun as well and I agree, I would not trade its simplicity for a muzzle loader if given the choice between using the two in a particular season. But I will say that I absolutely love the other opportunities that owning a muzzle loader has opened up. An extra late-season hunt for one and I've also traveled to NW Ontario to take advantage of an early ML-only season and additional tags. Well worth the hassle of tinkering with loads and the extra cleanup time after shooting.