CVA Buckhorn .50cal

[D-Angler]

Anyone shoot one of these?  Buddy gave me one for my son to use this year, as he has not ML'd with it in a long time.  Was using .50 295gr lead powerbelt.  I wanted to get away from those and try something else, but to tell the truth I have tried 3-4 bullets and can only get one Hornady SST .50/300gr Low-Drag down the barrel.  Then after shooting I could not get another down it.  VERY TIGHT to say the least.

Ordered some Barnes Spitfire TEZ tonight, and also some of the Harvester crush-ribs to try with some of my other .451 and .452 projectiles I already have on hand. 

Was thinking of maybe taking a dremel tool with a buffing pad and evenly polishing the sabot some to decrease diameter -- bad idea?

About to make this thing my second boat anchor and get something else -- October 3rd is coming quick.  If I could find a match to my TC BlackDiamond I would be all over it. 

[D-Angler]

One thing I have noticed is that my TC has a smooth ~1/2 in on the end of the barrel prior to the rifling.  The CVA rifling starts right at the to of the inside crown, which could make it harder to get started straight.

[MountainDevil54]

yes bad idea using that technique!

If anything jb bore paste or remington 40x bore cleaner, 50 to 75 strokes worth.

Harvester black crush rib should also be a great help for those tighter bores.

[Jonathan_S]

Clean it the best you can.  If that doesn't help, then try some different powders maybe...what powder are you using?

I would say do not buff anything.

[Myrtle Creek Inc.]

The buckhorn was extremely popular, due to the low price point and availability to be northwest legal. If you're having issues with the sabots in that gun, I would recommend trying the PowerBelt Platinum's, or even the Thor bullets. Either of these should reduce the pressure needed on the followup shots.

[Smokepole]

I have found Harvester Crush Ribs to be a lot easier to load in that gun.  I use a little bore butter on the sabot to lube it, and ease loading.  You pretty much need a bullet starter to load the Buckhorn.  Trying to start a bullet with the ramrod is a real chore.   

[PyroBlack]

Sounds like you may need those Crush Ribs with your new TEZ's too. Adjusting sabot styles to different muzzleloader bores is all part of the adventure into this fine sport. Every bore is different, even from the same manufacturer and even from the same factory assembly line, on the same day.

[Myrtle Creek Inc.]

Spot on. When sizing the Thor bullets, we have found that some models will vary up to .003 between guns! Generally, it is just one gun on the rack that will be that far off, and on average there is a .001 difference within most guns. The crush rib sabots are always an easy fix and perform extremely well.

Sounds like you may need those Crush Ribs with your new TEZ's too. Adjusting sabot styles to different muzzleloader bores is all part of the adventure into this fine sport. Every bore is different, even from the same manufacturer and even from the same factory assembly line, on the same day.