Northwest guns got better!

[bobcat]

Good deer bullet but definitely not the best for elk. Nice shooting!

[The Big Game Hunter]

I sure hope you're not going to hunt elk with those Power Belts...but that's another topic.

Right now, no, I'm not looking at those specific bullets for elk. I do understand that they don't have the greatest reputation for penetration on large, big boned animals like elk. While I've hunted large game before with a center-fire rifle, I've never done so with a muzzleloader, so I'm still feeling things out. Do you have a specific elk bullet that you recommend?

[Damnimissed]

I'd advise 300gr or better with a good saboted bullet, like a Barnes TMZ (290gr), Hornady SST, or Bloodlines. I'm using the Bloodlines this year. They shoot awesome out of my knight. All I know is, I will never shoot another power belt at an elk again.

[MountainDevil54]

with that 1480 FPS you're doin just fine for deer size critters with that 245gr powerbelt 

[The Big Game Hunter]

I'd advise 300gr or better with a good saboted bullet, like a Barnes TMZ (290gr), Hornady SST, or Bloodlines. I'm using the Bloodlines this year. They shoot awesome out of my knight. All I know is, I will never shoot another power belt at an elk again.

Interesting, thanks!

[raydog]

A couple weeks ago I took my CVA Wolf northwest out. Over all I am pleased with the gun. I did have the problem of the cap going off but the powder didn't, sometimes taking 3 or more caps to fire. I was using Triple Seven 50 gr. pellets (2 of them) with those German musket caps No. 1081 And Hornady SST 250gr bullets. Unlike The Big Game Hunter, my caps went off every time. I'm very much new to Muzzle loaders, but I was thinking that Switching to loose powder would help with the ignition problem. I thought I read that somewhere.

[The Big Game Hunter]

A couple weeks ago I took my CVA Wolf northwest out. Over all I am pleased with the gun. I did have the problem of the cap going off but the powder didn't, sometimes taking 3 or more caps to fire. I was using Triple Seven 50 gr. pellets (2 of them) with those German musket caps No. 1081 And Hornady SST 250gr bullets. Unlike The Big Game Hunter, my caps went off every time. I'm very much new to Muzzle loaders, but I was thinking that Switching to loose powder would help with the ignition problem. I thought I read that somewhere.

I used loose powder: both 777 and Goex Black Powder, and I never had any issues with ignition as long as the cap went off. Like you suggest, switching to loose powder will likely help with your problem. I think that the pelleted powders are designed to be used with 209 primers, which produce much more heat than #11 caps or musket caps.

[raydog]

Ok ill pick some up. Thanks

[The Big Game Hunter]

The testing of the CVA Wolf Northwest continues!

Last week I shot my Wolf Northwest using the 350gr Hornady FPB, 320gr T/C Maxi-Ball, and 348gr PowerBelt AeroTip. I also tried Hodgen's 777 powder to see how it would work in it.

Bottom line up front: the Hornady FPB did pretty well, the 348gr PowerBelt also did well, but slightly less so, and the T/C Maxi-Ball was a dismal failure.

Unfortunately, I also had a number of hang fires with the 777. The hang fires were very short, but did not do good things for my accuracy. I'm not sure if I have a bad batch of powder, or if hang fires are just a fact of life when shooting 777 with musket caps. Does anybody have any insight on this issue?

Finally, I just ordered some Thor bullets as well. When they arrive, I'll give them a shot and let you know how they work for me.

I've updated my review to reflect these new results and you can read the details below if you're interested.
http://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/2014/06/cva-wolf-northwest-review/

[Bmcox86]

What powder did you use with the 245 power belts? I just ordered the wolf with the power belts in 245 and 295, I will just be using it for deer.

[The Big Game Hunter]

90gr of Goex FFg Black Powder. If you use that load, I think you're going to have a deadly combination for deer this hunting season.

[Bmcox86]

Thanks, i appreciate it

[MarkyMark]

Never a hang fire with the 777 But I've had about 6 misfires out of around 50 shots. All after cleaning between a couple shots. Used a drier cleaning patch with a spritz ( you like like that, spritz?) of windex. Also an occasional nipple pick.   No more misfires. Thanks to Sabotloader for his input. Misfires haven't occurred since.

[The Big Game Hunter]

Thanks, i appreciate it

No problem!

Never a hang fire with the 777 But I've had about 6 misfires out of around 50 shots. All after cleaning between a couple shots. Used a drier cleaning patch with a spritz ( you like like that, spritz?) of windex. Also an occasional nipple pick.   No more misfires. Thanks to Sabotloader for his input. Misfires haven't occurred since.

When you say misfire, do you mean the hammer hitting the cap, and the cap just not going off?
That's some interesting advice, I may just give it a try, thanks!

[raydog]

A couple weeks ago I took my CVA Wolf northwest out. Over all I am pleased with the gun. I did have the problem of the cap going off but the powder didn't, sometimes taking 3 or more caps to fire. I was using Triple Seven 50 gr. pellets (2 of them) with those German musket caps No. 1081 And Hornady SST 250gr bullets. Unlike The Big Game Hunter, my caps went off every time. I'm very much new to Muzzle loaders, but I was thinking that Switching to loose powder would help with the ignition problem. I thought I read that somewhere.

I used loose powder: both 777 and Goex Black Powder, and I never had any issues with ignition as long as the cap went off. Like you suggest, switching to loose powder will likely help with your problem. I think that the pelleted powders are designed to be used with 209 primers, which produce much more heat than #11 caps or musket caps.

UPDATE: I have picked up some 777 loose. I haven't shot it more than 5 times since I switched to loose, but have had no issues yet. No misfire, no delay! And your right Big Game Hunter, pellets are more for the 209 primers. Gotta love figuring out a new hobby!