I went out today to do some quick target shooting using my CVA Accura V2. I was using last year's Pyrodex 50/50 pellets, 100 gr. load with 1081 percussion caps, shooting off a gun rest on a table. My first shot was a Powerbelt 245 gr copper which hit 1.5 inches up at 100 yards - exactly where I remembered sighting it in last season. I mostly shot Hornady SSTs last year, which performed virtually identically to the Powerbelts, but they both went out of stock locally so I picked up a pack of Barnes Spitfire TMZ Expanders (290 gr) late in the season last year and ended up just putting them away unused at the end of the season.
I finally took them out to try today, and after the first good shot with the Powerbelt bullet, I attempted to load the Barnes, and found that it was really tight in the muzzle of the gun. I leaned on it with the ramrod a bit and advanced it about 5 inches, where it seemed to stick. After really straining hard to push the bullet down tight, my first shot ended up a full 6 inches high. I noticed on the package they recommended using a Barnes alignment tool to load the bullets (more money for the company), so I paid extra attention to how I placed the second one in the muzzle, and it loaded quite a bit easier this time, but still much harder than the Hornadys and Powerbelts that I am used to. On my second shot, I paid extra attention to accuracy and felt that I made a great shot. Upon examination, I found the second shot hit a full 8 inches low.
I forgot to grab my field cleaning kit when I left the house and I figured my results would only get worse if I didn't clean the barrel before shooting again, (so I was done for the day). It seemed a bit pointless to proceed further anyways, after my first two attempts with the TMZs were so crazy. My initial thinking was the Pyrodex pellets had taken on some moisture after being exposed to air all year. Also, the heavier Barnes bullet should fly differently than the lighter ones I'd used previously, but I couldn't blame the crazy low shot on that. The two shots with the Barnes TMZs were 14 inches apart and in my mind, I don't have a great reason why.
Anybody have an thoughts on my very inconsistent accuracy? Many thanks!
