My first muzzleloader was a .50 cal Missouri Ranger I purchased from Cabelas sale catalog for @ $80 something . I had to gently file the burrs from the muzzle but it would print cloverleaf groups at 50yrds . I still have that rifle (among a few others) and took deer with it last season.
Blackie, this is gonna be a freaking awesome series!! I started muzzleloading in the seventies as well, and I love these older guns!! Really good info on how to bring one back into service. I would’ve thought that barrel was history. I’m really looking forward to the rest of this series!
I want to say that Blackie is a AWESOME teacher and he's really helped me out with my cap and ball experience. Just a great man to want to help out his fellow mankind
My first Muzzleloader was also a CVA Frontier Carbine in .50cal. It was fully assembled and purchased in '93. I bought it because it was cheap at the time, $99, and I was in a hurry to get a gun just days before the season opener in NM. I didn't think much of it at the time, but after carrying it up and down mountains all week, it was a blessing. It also proved to be more accurate than I Ever expected and would not hesitate at a 150yd shot at a stationary target. I still have that gun. My wife has since relieved me of it because it fits her perfectly. I have never had a problem with it. NOT ONE. Many people dislike the old CVAs and Traditions guns which I think are mostly the same as the old CVAs. I have acquired an old CVA Kentucky Flintlock kit gun that was hastily assembled but shoots extremely well. Iam refinishing it. These guns might be cheap, but you can't argue with 30-year-old guns that cost $100 new and shoot as well as more premium ones without a single problem.
Blackie, all of your videos are excellent and the stories which accompany them often bring back my own memories of similar things in my past. I confess that when you showed the open patch box with Dan's fingerprint in the tallow, a tear ran down my cheek. I have a few things, including a gun or two, that were given to me by a cherished friend who has passed on. I understand what that means to you. Money cannot touch the feeling that you will have every time you hold that rifle. God bless you and Dan !
WHOO BOY! NOW YOUR TALKIN' MY LINGO! REAL MOUNTAIN MAN STUFF! Ahem...I mean thank you for another quite informative video! Kindest Regards and best wishes to you and yours, Pink.
I've got three old CVA rifles, 2 .45 Kentucky rifles and a .50 bobcat. You just reminded me to check the bores. They were clean and oiled, but still need checking now and again.
I have three of my cousins rifles. His name is Daniel. He passed away and I had to buy them from his estate. I could not afford to buy the other 4 or 5 to I really wanted a couple more. I've shot flintlock since 1976 but my first was a CVA cap kit I put together when I was 12 ! I've the years I have neglected a couple of them. Caught in the rain while hunting or didn't clean right away but always soaked with oil. I found that a .30cal cleaning jag and a 3/8" (aprox) 4" long 3M merged finish scuba pad will polish that barrel out. This works for my .45cal rifles. Also, transmission fluid has great rust eating properties. Great show ! Thank you.
I bult my first kit back in 1989 and it was a CVA "Kentucky" rifle in .50, I bought it at Service Merchandise in Chicago on Archer ave. That store is long gone but I still have the rifle.
Blackie, in my flintlock hawken, I have recovered from forgetting the powder without pulling the ball, by getting powder in thru the flash hole. It was enough to expel the ball. 4f is the best for this. Brass brushes on rod with drill attached and butches bore shine recovered my leaving that hawken in a closet for 10 years. Lessons learned. That same bore placed two mini-ball shots within 1" center, and overlapping each other, at 50 yds, just this fall. Thanks, W
I bought and constructed a CVA .50 Mountain Rifle in the late 70s. My first BP rifle. A wonderful gun. I had no idea they are now highly regarded. Mine has a Maple stock. Yours appears to be Walnut. Thank you for filming this.
I have that same rifle luckily with a well cared for barrel . I paid 75.00 for it several years ago . It’s a very accurate rifle at any price . Mine has a cleaning jag inletted into the wood in the patch box
Thank you Blackie for doing this series. I'm your age. My First deer rifle was a CVA Mountain Gun my father gave me for Christmas when I was 12 years old. I put it together and used it for a few years until I got older and bought a Pre 64 Winchester.Wish I still had both. Like you I now look for those side locks that only need love and work. I've been able to restore four side locks and several old .22 rim fires with the method you mention. Look forward seeing more content.
recently bought a tc new englander, bit of rust in the bore, not as bad as this case, ive been using evaporust, first 12 hour cycle got most of the rust, going to give it another 24 hours as theres still a bit left towards the breech. Evaporust is fairly gentle stuff, each time you want to check the progress you can pour it back in the bottle since it is reuseable. Running a borescope i got for $40 or so off amazon a while back, it really helps monitor the process and ensure i get all the rust.
EXCELLENT video Blackie.I have save All you Black Powder series for future use. There is a ton of great knowledge in them. Especially enjoyed the back story of "Daniel". Dan truly lives in you thought memories.
Thanks Kindly Blackie! I have a CVA 50 just like your I got back I. The 90s on a trade. I shot it a little at first but a lot of water went under the bridge before I got back to it. Someone had put it together a didn’t do a good job, kind of just slapped it together deal. So years later I took it all apart, it had some rust but not terrible and the bore some surface rust but nothing like yours. But I certainly Love mine and it’s a pleasure to shoot, accurate too or as good as I can do. Mine had a mess of brass tacks in the stock, kind of like the Indians would decorate their stocks. But it wasn’t to my liking so I removed the tacks and drilled 3/8” holes where the tacks were and turned down a 3/8” dowel from an old cherry table leaf. The contrast with the maple stock looks great. So mine is just like your with iron fittings but a brass patch box, which I used for greased patches. It’s a hickory ram rod good and stout. It’s a Great Gun Indeed! Thanks Again for all your knowledge you share and Many Blessings! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania p.s. The story about your good friend Dan makes Daniel a Priceless piece for certain!
Once again Blackie, you did it right! I've been shooting nothing but traditional muzzleloaders since 1993. I did not know the purpose of the patent breech. I thought it was just to complicate the cleaning process! I always learn something new from you, my friend!
My congratulations on your newest acquisition, I have always wanted an early model CVA Mountain Rifle, a friend gifted me a CVA Hawken that I have added several mountain rifle parts to, love that rifle and I'm sure you will love yours.
Wow! I recently obtained a CVA Mountain Rifle, 50 caliber in a browned barrel. It has the Made in USA carved into the barrel. Quite a gun! I like your choice!
Hey Blackie! At one point I was subscribed to you and didn't watch TH-cam for a while and the next thing I knew I couldn't find you or any of your notification and since I was new to TH-cam I didn't know how to find you, well I found you. I found me a Hawken Flintlock in a gun store, it was a double set trigger and it was a Thompson Center Arms. As it sat for awhile before I got all my powder, balls and all the other stuff together I thought I would just go ahead and run a patch down the barrel. Since it was at a gun store I assumed that it was reasonably clean, my mistake for assuming. I ran a patch down the barrel, it wasn't as bad as yours, but but it wasn't Rusty and almost took a half a box of cleaning patches to get it to where there was no rust at in the barrel and buddy did I oil that baby up. I haven't had it all that long and I haven't shot it yet but I'm looking forward to shooting it. Thanks for the video and I'm glad I found you again. Keep ye power dry!
Hello Blackie I’m a new subscriber just came across your channel last night, I recently inherited an old vintage TC Hawken 50 Cal rifle to which I knew very little if anything at all, I watched P1 & 2 of your muzzleloader videos enjoyed the heck out of both and learned a wealth of knowledge just wanted to say Thanks I really appreciate you sharing all that info it was exactly what I needed, the rifle I have is not in too terrible a condition but there is some rust in the barrel I’ve cleaned the exterior with some Ballistol then got a dry patch stuck down in the bottom along with the ramrod🙄, but I did with some effort, manage to get it out I filled the barrel with some hot soapy water and a little Ballistol to boot I let that soak a bit had 3 to 4” of rod poking out of the barrel not enough to get a good grip on so ended up tying a cusack knot on it with some lawnmower pull rope kept tugging and pushing a little just trying to work it and finally I heard sucking from the nipple gave it a good hard pull and whoop out it came, I dropped the barrel (it slipped) went through the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket I had it sitting in, if that’s the worst of it I’ll take it, anyway I’m going to try the vinegar wash to try stripping a little more of the rust out and proceed from there I really don’t think I’ll need to fill the barrel with oil but time will tell I’m just going to take my time and keep working on it and hopefully in the not too distant future I’ll see if I can’t blow some balls out of it Lol, Have a Great Day Sir and Thank You again for sharing your knowledge Perry
I appreciate the video. I have that same rifle that I bought in the late 70s as a kit. Assembled it and hunted and shot it for several years. Life changed and have only shot it a couple times since. Mine is also Made in the USA and has some curl in the maple stock. My favorite rifle by far.
Very cool, I grew up in Western Montana and did the Rendezvous circuit in the 80s with my folks and brother, you did an excellent explanation of the single set triggers. Looking forward to the range report tomorrow!
Speaking of white vinegar, ived used it hot to blackout my high carbon knives, last one I did was a trailmaster Bowie& now it's food safe blackened. .great vid & info sir.👍
My best friend passed away, he left me his great plains rifle with all the accoutrement, I'm selling my old TC Hawken and sticking with this wonderful gift. I have to wait, recovering from a triple bypass surgery. Hoping around the first of the year I can get out hunting and shooting again
Love your videos Blackie, you're one sharp cat. Appreciate you sharing you knowledge and wisdom with all of us, in particular your insights acquired from all your years experience. Another thing I've noticed about you is you seem remarkably healthy. Wonder if you care to share any secrets to health you may have learned in your life. Thanks and much love from the plains of southern minnesota
In my opinion, the Thompson Center "Greyhawk" is about the best modern side lock (cap or flint) gun ever made. Offered in various rifle calibers and even a 12ga smooth bore, as a stainless steel hunting tool, it's unbeatable. They clean up so nice, I wish that TC would restart production of these....
Good evening Blackie. It seems like you and me got into shooting black powder about the same time. I got my first CVA kit as a high school graduation present in 1980. I still have to this day , it's a CVA 45 cal. Kentucky long rifle. I love this old gun and it's in perfect shape , shooting 2" groups at 75 yards with the original sights. This was a great video Blackie , I can't wait to get into the series with you.
Steve, I recently purchased one of those, also in 45 caliber. Do you mind if I ask what powder and charge weight you use with a round ball for hunting? Thanks.
Hydroscopic is the word you were looking for, now you can use compressed air to drive the ball out, if you forget to pour powder in, or just to unload it so you don't have to fire it. Like yourself, I grew up on .45 cal percussion Kentucky rifles in the 70's, modern inlines are nice, but I love a side hammer percussion rifle an open sights, an own a white mountain carbine for hunting hear in Fla in the swamps. But I have always wanted a Lyman trade rifle, an will have one yet, preferably in the kit form. Built a S/S shotgun that I used also, along with my 3rd mod dragoon for hogs. Thx for the vid Blackie, looking forward to the next vid.
When my grandfather died my father got a kit for a muzzle loader and it’s sat untouched for over 20 years but my getting into black powder has gotten him interested again and he plans to finally build it.
Dang, You and I must be long lost cousins. I had a CVA Kentucky back in the 70's and longed for the CVA Mountain Rifle that I couldn't afford. Fast forward 10 years and it was all about having a TC Hawken. A co-worker had a CVA Mountain Rifle that shot rings around my TC. Fast forward another 20 years and I had custom built Virginia rifles, fowlers, Bess's and Trade guns. Today its Kibler rifles and Springfield rifled muskets for me. The nostalgic guy in my still would like to have a CVA Mountain rifle........................Bob
that was me i started with a cva ky and moved to a frontier then on to a lyman great plains then to kits i built and then fowlers and flint locks i kept moveing farther back in time till i had a german jager transitional 1740's time along the way there have been muskets/ zouaves/ brown bess/and tulle de chasse enjoyed them all
4:30 That 10 dollar word is hygroscopic. It means water loving. A lot of old ammo that used corrosive primers had this same issue. There's a lot of 'use windex' or other stuff, just clean it with water to remove the residue, wipe it dry, hit it with your favorite oil or CLP to protect the metal. You don't need windex or anything fancy. I use Ballistol as the protectant.
Your mileage might vary, but ive found leather gives a better gas seal. I use leather wads particularly in my 20 gauge. Noticed it especially with shot. Sorry im not in your neck of the woods. I got some Swiss ffg with me in my truck id give ya for it. My son's name was Daniel... Lost him in 07... Ya kinda hit me sideways Boss. Lol
That's about a 1979 model. It's sort of a transitional gun. It has the four screw patch box Like the 77 and 78 models. The early American made rifles had octagonal ramrod ferrals. The early rifles used Douglas barrels. When production was moved to Spain they went to round steel ramrod ferrals. The first two years they were offered in 45 and 50 caliber. When production was moved to Spain they Dropped the 45 caliber and only offered the 50 caliber. It looks like they shipped all of the parts they had on hand to Spain Which would explain your four screw patchbox. My first rifle was a Spanish made 50 caliber. I shot it thousands of times and I eventually wore out the lock. I recently bought an early 45 caliber model in unfired condition. It's worth kind of a lot of money. I don't know if I should shoot it or not
Thanks for the video Blackie. I have a old percussion 45cal a very special friend gave me and I been wondering how to get it back going. Good luck with your special gun. Thanks again.
The thing I found to smoth out the bore of a rusty rifle is to wrap 0000 steel wool around a 50 caliber brush and scrub it with ballastol several times adding steel wool as I go to keep it tight and to replace what wears out
This muszzleloading mountain rifle si made in Spain by Dikar in Eibar or Bergara town (in Vasque province). In the 70' or 80', XX century, and marketed in USA by CVA. I have this rifle in 58 caliber with curly maple stock . Very accurate rifle for shoo'ting matches or hunting. Greetings from Spain.
Excellent tribute to your friend. "One man in a thousand, Solomon says. Will stick more close than a brother. And it's worth while seeking him half your days If you find him before the other. Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend On what the world sees in you, But the Thousandth Man will stand your friend With the whole round world agin you." Kipling. SF
Great video as always, this has nothing to do with this video but I think this is worth your time it's about grill cooking I think it's a good video for us silver wolves it's by reallybigmonkey and the video is called "the evolution of my tree grills"
Man that rifle showed up and I thought that was my rifle a CVA Mountain Rifle, but mine is a .45 caliber. I started cleaning mine last year, I have had it since 2012 when I picked it up at a gun show. Of course it was dirty, dirty, dirty so I started with soaking it with the barrel full of oil. About that same time I had some heart problems and after bypass surgery I was down for a while and forgot the rifle. Well time goes on and I finally remembered the old rifle and started cleaning it up. When I started shooting it I was using .440 balls and a .010" patch, during that first range session I started noticing that the patches ai found on the range were just fuzz all tore up. That .010 patch was to thin so I changed the load to a .433 ball and a .015" patch and a new lube 50 % beeswax/paraffin and 50 % lamb's tallow. The patches are holding together and I get a 2 inch group at 50 yards with 50 grains of 3F Goex. Thanks for starting on the Black Powder rifle series.
my CVA rifle in 50 cal. will put two touching and on less then an inch away at 50 yards with 65 grains of FF BP. same sight pattern at 100 yards with 80 grns. of powder
Marvel Mystery oil to soak out the garbage, and mineral spirits to get the Marvel out. Then Hot water. I've got a Dixie Gun Works Squirrel rifle in .40 Caliber. Barrel and lock made in Belgium.
My brother gave me a Connecticut Valley Arms percussion black powder rifle 50 cal. I think it's from the 80"s. He told me he used sabot bullets in it. Is that correct or do you have to use round balls? I had to clean it up but the barrel is still good. I have never shot one of these guns so I'm kind of nervous about shooting this gun. completely new at this!
My first muzzleloader was a .50 cal Missouri Ranger I purchased from Cabelas sale catalog for @ $80 something . I had to gently file the burrs from the muzzle but it would print cloverleaf groups at 50yrds . I still have that rifle (among a few others) and took deer with it last season.
Excellent introduction brother.. looking forward to the new series..!
Blackie, this is gonna be a freaking awesome series!! I started muzzleloading in the seventies as well, and I love these older guns!! Really good info on how to bring one back into service. I would’ve thought that barrel was history. I’m really looking forward to the rest of this series!
Wow just finished the video and understand the providence of that weapon. What a touching tribute.
I want to say that Blackie is a AWESOME teacher and he's really helped me out with my cap and ball experience. Just a great man to want to help out his fellow mankind
thank you kindly
Very informative video. Thanks for posting it!
I have been black powder shooting for about 12 years. This is one of the best videos I have seen. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Very good information Thank you so much
Most welcome
My first Muzzleloader was also a CVA Frontier Carbine in .50cal. It was fully assembled and purchased in '93. I bought it because it was cheap at the time, $99, and I was in a hurry to get a gun just days before the season opener in NM. I didn't think much of it at the time, but after carrying it up and down mountains all week, it was a blessing. It also proved to be more accurate than I Ever expected and would not hesitate at a 150yd shot at a stationary target. I still have that gun. My wife has since relieved me of it because it fits her perfectly. I have never had a problem with it. NOT ONE. Many people dislike the old CVAs and Traditions guns which I think are mostly the same as the old CVAs. I have acquired an old CVA Kentucky Flintlock kit gun that was hastily assembled but shoots extremely well. Iam refinishing it. These guns might be cheap, but you can't argue with 30-year-old guns that cost $100 new and shoot as well as more premium ones without a single problem.
White vinager is the best for dissolving rust.... cleaned many a cast iron pot that way....
Wonderful tribute to your friend.
Mr. Blackie that is such an AWESOME story about Dan'l and even more so about the thumb print.
Nice addition to your black powder series, Blackie. Plenty of these muzzle loaders still in use, today.
yep they still hunt a lot of deer
I still have my CVA Frontier 50 cal. Bought it from Service Merchandise. Love this smokepole.
i got many fond memories of those
Pretty cool story and memory of your rifle ! Enjoyed the video. Thanks ...Alan in 🇨🇱
Blackie, all of your videos are excellent and the stories which accompany them often bring back my own memories of similar things in my past. I confess that when you showed the open patch box with Dan's fingerprint in the tallow, a tear ran down my cheek. I have a few things, including a gun or two, that were given to me by a cherished friend who has passed on. I understand what that means to you. Money cannot touch the feeling that you will have every time you hold that rifle. God bless you and Dan !
thank you i will admit to a tear when i found that thumb print to me we are shooting ....not just me
WHOO BOY! NOW YOUR TALKIN' MY LINGO! REAL MOUNTAIN MAN STUFF! Ahem...I mean thank you for another quite informative video! Kindest Regards and best wishes to you and yours, Pink.
I've got three old CVA rifles, 2
.45 Kentucky rifles and a .50 bobcat. You just reminded me to check the bores. They were clean and oiled, but still need checking now and again.
Great video Blackie. Inspiring as well
Much appreciated
I have three of my cousins rifles. His name is Daniel. He passed away and I had to buy them from his estate. I could not afford to buy the other 4 or 5 to I really wanted a couple more. I've shot flintlock since 1976 but my first was a CVA cap kit I put together when I was 12 ! I've the years I have neglected a couple of them. Caught in the rain while hunting or didn't clean right away but always soaked with oil. I found that a .30cal cleaning jag and a 3/8" (aprox) 4" long 3M merged finish scuba pad will polish that barrel out. This works for my .45cal rifles. Also, transmission fluid has great rust eating properties. Great show ! Thank you.
I bult my first kit back in 1989 and it was a CVA "Kentucky" rifle in .50, I bought it at Service Merchandise in Chicago on Archer ave. That store is long gone but I still have the rifle.
very cool
I just picked up this exact rifle yesterday, thank you for this video! It was very helpful
Looking forward to the shooting video tomorrow. Thank you for a very informative video.
glad to help
This is some great info, my grandpa left an incomplete kit to me, this info can help me finally fix up and fire the rifle.
Super cool stuff
thanks
@@BLACKIETHOMAS my wife bought me a 1863 Springfield 45cal for Christmas last year. I haven't even fired it yet
Great video Blackie. Can’t wait for the range video.
Coming soon!
Blackie, in my flintlock hawken, I have recovered from forgetting the powder without pulling the ball, by getting powder in thru the flash hole. It was enough to expel the ball. 4f is the best for this.
Brass brushes on rod with drill attached and butches bore shine recovered my leaving that hawken in a closet for 10 years. Lessons learned. That same bore placed two mini-ball shots within 1" center, and overlapping each other, at 50 yds, just this fall. Thanks, W
thanks
Thank you for posting.
You're welcome
Excellent presentation there. And having built a few kits and shot BP for about 45 years I can say you are giving out very solid information 👍🏻👍🏻👊
thanks for watching
I bought and constructed a CVA .50 Mountain Rifle in the late 70s. My first BP rifle. A wonderful gun. I had no idea they are now highly regarded. Mine has a Maple stock. Yours appears to be Walnut. Thank you for filming this.
Great !! Can’t wait to see that video got me hooked already
Hope you enjoyed it!
I have that same rifle luckily with a well cared for barrel . I paid 75.00 for it several years ago . It’s a very accurate rifle at any price . Mine has a cleaning jag inletted into the wood in the patch box
many guys did that mod it was a good idea
Great video Blackie! Thanks for sharing.
Looking forward to this series!!
Thank you Blackie for doing this series. I'm your age. My First deer rifle was a CVA Mountain Gun my father gave me for Christmas when I was 12 years old. I put it together and used it for a few years until I got older and bought a Pre 64 Winchester.Wish I still had both. Like you I now look for those side locks that only need love and work. I've been able to restore four side locks and several old .22 rim fires with the method you mention. Look forward seeing more content.
You are a VERY patient man. I would have purchased a new barrel..
recently bought a tc new englander, bit of rust in the bore, not as bad as this case, ive been using evaporust, first 12 hour cycle got most of the rust, going to give it another 24 hours as theres still a bit left towards the breech. Evaporust is fairly gentle stuff, each time you want to check the progress you can pour it back in the bottle since it is reuseable. Running a borescope i got for $40 or so off amazon a while back, it really helps monitor the process and ensure i get all the rust.
EXCELLENT video Blackie.I have save All you Black Powder series for future use. There is a ton of great knowledge in them. Especially enjoyed the back story of "Daniel". Dan truly lives in you thought memories.
Thanks Kindly Blackie! I have a CVA 50 just like your I got back I. The 90s on a trade. I shot it a little at first but a lot of water went under the bridge before I got back to it. Someone had put it together a didn’t do a good job, kind of just slapped it together deal. So years later I took it all apart, it had some rust but not terrible and the bore some surface rust but nothing like yours. But I certainly Love mine and it’s a pleasure to shoot, accurate too or as good as I can do. Mine had a mess of brass tacks in the stock, kind of like the Indians would decorate their stocks. But it wasn’t to my liking so I removed the tacks and drilled 3/8” holes where the tacks were and turned down a 3/8” dowel from an old cherry table leaf. The contrast with the maple stock looks great. So mine is just like your with iron fittings but a brass patch box, which I used for greased patches. It’s a hickory ram rod good and stout. It’s a Great Gun Indeed! Thanks Again for all your knowledge you share and Many Blessings! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania p.s. The story about your good friend Dan makes Daniel a Priceless piece for certain!
Once again Blackie, you did it right! I've been shooting nothing but traditional muzzleloaders since 1993. I did not know the purpose of the patent breech. I thought it was just to complicate the cleaning process! I always learn something new from you, my friend!
Thank you.. just like my current project.. gonna try your methods
thanks for this series. awesome information for my 50 cal flintlock rifle that is a new type of firearm to me
My congratulations on your newest acquisition, I have always wanted an early model CVA Mountain Rifle, a friend gifted me a CVA Hawken that I have added several mountain rifle parts to, love that rifle and I'm sure you will love yours.
thanks for watching
Wow! I recently obtained a CVA Mountain Rifle, 50 caliber in a browned barrel. It has the Made in USA carved into the barrel. Quite a gun! I like your choice!
SOUND LIKE YOU FOUND A GOOD ONE
You're gonna love that rifle till the end of your days. It's great to have a piece from a late friend like that. Means so much more.
it really does
Hey Blackie! At one point I was subscribed to you and didn't watch TH-cam for a while and the next thing I knew I couldn't find you or any of your notification and since I was new to TH-cam I didn't know how to find you, well I found you. I found me a Hawken Flintlock in a gun store, it was a double set trigger and it was a Thompson Center Arms. As it sat for awhile before I got all my powder, balls and all the other stuff together I thought I would just go ahead and run a patch down the barrel. Since it was at a gun store I assumed that it was reasonably clean, my mistake for assuming. I ran a patch down the barrel, it wasn't as bad as yours, but but it wasn't Rusty and almost took a half a box of cleaning patches to get it to where there was no rust at in the barrel and buddy did I oil that baby up. I haven't had it all that long and I haven't shot it yet but I'm looking forward to shooting it. Thanks for the video and I'm glad I found you again. Keep ye power dry!
Hello Blackie I’m a new subscriber just came across your channel last night, I recently inherited an old vintage TC Hawken 50 Cal rifle to which I knew very little if anything at all, I watched P1 & 2 of your muzzleloader videos enjoyed the heck out of both and learned a wealth of knowledge just wanted to say Thanks I really appreciate you sharing all that info it was exactly what I needed, the rifle I have is not in too terrible a condition but there is some rust in the barrel I’ve cleaned the exterior with some Ballistol then got a dry patch stuck down in the bottom along with the ramrod🙄, but I did with some effort, manage to get it out I filled the barrel with some hot soapy water and a little Ballistol to boot I let that soak a bit had 3 to 4” of rod poking out of the barrel not enough to get a good grip on so ended up tying a cusack knot on it with some lawnmower pull rope kept tugging and pushing a little just trying to work it and finally I heard sucking from the nipple gave it a good hard pull and whoop out it came, I dropped the barrel (it slipped) went through the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket I had it sitting in, if that’s the worst of it I’ll take it, anyway I’m going to try the vinegar wash to try stripping a little more of the rust out and proceed from there I really don’t think I’ll need to fill the barrel with oil but time will tell I’m just going to take my time and keep working on it and hopefully in the not too distant future I’ll see if I can’t blow some balls out of it Lol, Have a Great Day Sir and Thank You again for sharing your knowledge
Perry
I appreciate the video. I have that same rifle that I bought in the late 70s as a kit. Assembled it and hunted and shot it for several years. Life changed and have only shot it a couple times since. Mine is also Made in the USA and has some curl in the maple stock. My favorite rifle by far.
Very cool, I grew up in Western Montana and did the Rendezvous circuit in the 80s with my folks and brother, you did an excellent explanation of the single set triggers. Looking forward to the range report tomorrow!
its on the way
Great video, Blackie,. Keep her going....
Good info Blackie. I had old style and in-line muzzle loaders. Always kept the hem clean. Thanks for showing us and take care.
Right on
I have one just like that, given to me by a friend before he passed a few years ago. It's a special thing.
mine too a keepsake
Man there ain't nothing like squirrel hunting with a flintlock. I have my son falling in love with it now too
I have one of those I built many years ago, shoots good, never thought about it damn near being an antique. but then, I'm an antique too..
Speaking of white vinegar, ived used it hot to blackout my high carbon knives, last one I did was a trailmaster Bowie& now it's food safe blackened. .great vid & info sir.👍
My best friend passed away, he left me his great plains rifle with all the accoutrement, I'm selling my old TC Hawken and sticking with this wonderful gift. I have to wait, recovering from a triple bypass surgery. Hoping around the first of the year I can get out hunting and shooting again
@@maxpinson5002 keeping the GPR.
Thx for the tutorial Blackie !!
Awesome video Blackie.
glad to help
Great video!
Love your videos Blackie, you're one sharp cat. Appreciate you sharing you knowledge and wisdom with all of us, in particular your insights acquired from all your years experience. Another thing I've noticed about you is you seem remarkably healthy. Wonder if you care to share any secrets to health you may have learned in your life. Thanks and much love from the plains of southern minnesota
Marvels mystery oil, and hot water works well also, i have used that for many years on my thompson center hawkens 50 cal.
In my opinion, the Thompson Center "Greyhawk" is about the best modern side lock (cap or flint) gun ever made. Offered in various rifle calibers and even a 12ga smooth bore, as a stainless steel hunting tool, it's unbeatable. They clean up so nice, I wish that TC would restart production of these....
thompson centers are very good rifles
Good evening Blackie. It seems like you and me got into shooting black powder about the same time. I got my first CVA kit as a high school graduation present in 1980. I still have to this day , it's a CVA 45 cal. Kentucky long rifle. I love this old gun and it's in perfect shape , shooting 2" groups at 75 yards with the original sights. This was a great video Blackie , I can't wait to get into the series with you.
i loved my kentucky as well took several deer with it
Steve, I recently purchased one of those, also in 45 caliber. Do you mind if I ask what powder and charge weight you use with a round ball for hunting? Thanks.
@@bretjohnson6188 Hey Bret , I use a 60 grain powder charge with a patch and a Speer round ball.
I bought a johmsom and Johnson civil war rifle 75 bucks my father in law shot it for yrs dang thays a story glad you have danel
once i get done with rifles i may do a series on civil war muskets
Hydroscopic is the word you were looking for, now you can use compressed air to drive the ball out, if you forget to pour powder in, or just to unload it so you don't have to fire it. Like yourself, I grew up on .45 cal percussion Kentucky rifles in the 70's, modern inlines are nice, but I love a side hammer percussion rifle an open sights, an own a white mountain carbine for hunting hear in Fla in the swamps. But I have always wanted a Lyman trade rifle, an will have one yet, preferably in the kit form. Built a S/S shotgun that I used also, along with my 3rd mod dragoon for hogs. Thx for the vid Blackie, looking forward to the next vid.
thanks for watching
Thanks Blackie
my pleasure
I am so glad I subscribed to learn about great content like this!!!!!
Thank you sir for making this video!
Great video Blackie never been interested but really learned a lot. Really glad you was able to get it working again.
Glad you got your friends gun back in action.
That rifle is s treasure.
it truly is
I have a CVA mountain rifle in a 50 caliber flintlock I came across made in the 70s I prefer a cap lock but it’s a great rifle
When my grandfather died my father got a kit for a muzzle loader and it’s sat untouched for over 20 years but my getting into black powder has gotten him interested again and he plans to finally build it.
Dang, You and I must be long lost cousins. I had a CVA Kentucky back in the 70's and longed for the CVA Mountain Rifle that I couldn't afford. Fast forward 10 years and it was all about having a TC Hawken. A co-worker had a CVA Mountain Rifle that shot rings around my TC. Fast forward another 20 years and I had custom built Virginia rifles, fowlers, Bess's and Trade guns. Today its Kibler rifles and Springfield rifled muskets for me. The nostalgic guy in my still would like to have a CVA Mountain rifle........................Bob
that was me i started with a cva ky and moved to a frontier then on to a lyman great plains then to kits i built and then fowlers and flint locks i kept moveing farther back in time till i had a german jager transitional 1740's time along the way there have been muskets/ zouaves/ brown bess/and tulle de chasse enjoyed them all
Excellence thank you sir!
Very welcome!
4:30 That 10 dollar word is hygroscopic. It means water loving. A lot of old ammo that used corrosive primers had this same issue. There's a lot of 'use windex' or other stuff, just clean it with water to remove the residue, wipe it dry, hit it with your favorite oil or CLP to protect the metal. You don't need windex or anything fancy. I use Ballistol as the protectant.
thanks
Well done Blackie. Thank ya
your welcome
Looking forward to this series! Thanks Blackie! I have a .54 hawkin from Spain…
thanks for watching
Your mileage might vary, but ive found leather gives a better gas seal. I use leather wads particularly in my 20 gauge. Noticed it especially with shot.
Sorry im not in your neck of the woods. I got some Swiss ffg with me in my truck id give ya for it. My son's name was Daniel... Lost him in 07... Ya kinda hit me sideways Boss. Lol
That's about a 1979 model.
It's sort of a transitional gun.
It has the four screw patch box
Like the 77 and 78 models.
The early American made rifles had octagonal ramrod ferrals. The early rifles used Douglas barrels.
When production was moved to Spain they went to round steel ramrod ferrals.
The first two years they were offered in 45 and 50 caliber. When production was moved to Spain they
Dropped the 45 caliber and only offered the 50 caliber.
It looks like they shipped all of the parts they had on hand to Spain
Which would explain your four screw patchbox.
My first rifle was a Spanish made 50 caliber. I shot it thousands of times and I eventually wore out the lock.
I recently bought an early 45 caliber model in unfired condition.
It's worth kind of a lot of money.
I don't know if I should shoot it or not
for years dixie gun works had a upgrade drop in lock for the cva guns dont know if they still offer it
Awesome blackie you can also have it bored out to a smoothbore next size up just saying
if it was not going to group that was the plan but she is doing a lot better than expected
I have a CVA .45 cal mountain rifle that my uncle built from a kit. I think it's about a 1973-74 as it is marked Connecticut Valley Arms, Made in USA.
Great video. God bless. From Glenn CATT in Massachusetts.
Yay! Been waiting for this.
Thanks for the video Blackie. I have a old percussion 45cal a very special friend gave me and I been wondering how to get it back going. Good luck with your special gun. Thanks again.
I know that gun is special to you. I just lost a friend that I grew up with this past week. And something like that is special.
yes it is
If the gun doesn't work, remove the toothpick! Lol!
lol that was awesome
I have had good results using Balistoil and a 12ga nylon bore brush. I have a .54 Renegade and a .50 New Englander. Both by T/C.
The thing I found to smoth out the bore of a rusty rifle is to wrap 0000 steel wool around a 50 caliber brush and scrub it with ballastol several times adding steel wool as I go to keep it tight and to replace what wears out
i did that as well
you can get replacement locks from L&R Locks.
This muszzleloading mountain rifle si made in Spain by Dikar in Eibar or Bergara town (in Vasque province). In the 70' or 80', XX century, and marketed in USA by CVA. I have this rifle in 58 caliber with curly maple stock . Very accurate rifle for shoo'ting matches or hunting. Greetings from Spain.
Excellent tribute to your friend. "One man in a thousand, Solomon says. Will stick more close than a brother. And it's worth while seeking him half your days If you find him before the other. Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend On what the world sees in you, But the Thousandth Man will stand your friend With the whole round world agin you." Kipling. SF
thank you
Love my Traditions Hawken Woodsman. She is pretty with all the brass but with the adjustable sights she is accurate.
they are good guns
CVA has a hooked breach, take out the wedges and the barrel comes out real easy.
Great video as always, this has nothing to do with this video but I think this is worth your time it's about grill cooking I think it's a good video for us silver wolves it's by reallybigmonkey and the video is called "the evolution of my tree grills"
Thanks for the tip!
Man that rifle showed up and I thought that was my rifle a CVA Mountain Rifle, but mine is a .45 caliber. I started cleaning mine last year, I have had it since 2012 when I picked it up at a gun show. Of course it was dirty, dirty, dirty so I started with soaking it with the barrel full of oil. About that same time I had some heart problems and after bypass surgery I was down for a while and forgot the rifle. Well time goes on and I finally remembered the old rifle and started cleaning it up. When I started shooting it I was using .440 balls and a .010" patch, during that first range session I started noticing that the patches ai found on the range were just fuzz all tore up. That .010 patch was to thin so I changed the load to a .433 ball and a .015" patch and a new lube 50 % beeswax/paraffin and 50 % lamb's tallow. The patches are holding together and I get a 2 inch group at 50 yards with 50 grains of 3F Goex. Thanks for starting on the Black Powder rifle series.
sounds like you are working thru the problems to find the best combination well done
Just acquired this same rifle in 54 caliber I guess they call it the big bore can't wait to shoot it, here I come Jeremiah.
my CVA rifle in 50 cal. will put two touching and on less then an inch away at 50 yards with 65 grains of FF BP.
same sight pattern at 100 yards with 80 grns. of powder
Do the older type muzzle load have breech plug that can be unscrewed to get better access for cleaning? Great video enjoyed watching it!
sadly no they are way too tight for that
Marvel Mystery oil to soak out the garbage, and mineral spirits to get the Marvel out. Then Hot water. I've got a Dixie Gun Works Squirrel rifle in .40 Caliber. Barrel and lock made in Belgium.
My question is will it group now. I did all this but i cant get it accurate now. Tried from 90 grains down to 50 grains. Mine is an investa arms .
I found an almost complete 1977 mountain rifle kit still in the styrofoam for 40 bucks at a pawn shop last week 😊
My brother gave me a Connecticut Valley Arms percussion black powder rifle 50 cal. I think it's from the 80"s. He told me he used sabot bullets in it. Is that correct or do you have to use round balls? I had to clean it up but the barrel is still good. I have never shot one of these guns so I'm kind of nervous about shooting this gun. completely new at this!