Range outing Wolf

[MUP]

Using BH 209 and the modified BP I had zero hang fires. 100% flawless ignition. Good. But now I may have a scope issue? The Konus scope that comes atop these CVA Wolf ML's seems to possibly be sticking, maybe? I fired 3 shots at 100yds to get on zero, then one more and it was about an inch from the last shot, good. Having fun I decided to shoot another, this is when I had a flyer. 3 inches high and the same to the left. My thinking was the scope jumped somehow, so I made the corrections. The next shot came down as corrected, but the L to R didn't track. Made the full adjustment again to the right and put a hole 1-1/2" low of bullseye, dead on L to R. I ran out of loads at that point. I came home, checked the barrel and there were a couple chunks of debris in there, can't say if it was plastic or powder residue, but they popped loose from a couple brush strokes. Cleaned the BP, no obvious issue there. I checked the scope prior to taking it out, but will check it again today. Strange.

 

[mike243]

It may have been stripping the sabot if it had something stuck to the barrel, i always gently tap my scopes after making a adjustment, may not be needed but figure a little love tap cant hurt a good scope lol

 

[MUP]

I was wondering if it could be sabot material. I was dry patching to make loading easier after each shot and some patches came out quite a bit darker than others, not normal grey as usual with BH 209. Using black sabot from Knightmuzzleloaders.com. I think they're harvesters? And they are tight going in.

 

[GMB54]

Knight uses all MMP sabots except the 45cal is available from Harvester. All the 50s, 52s and 54s are made by MMP. Im surprised you even got a Knight black sabot down a Wolf barrel. That is most likely either a MMP HPH-12 or the older proprietary sabot that was huge.

If you are loading a soft cast lead bullet in a tight sabot, that is at least part of your issue. Although the Konus scopes are super lowend scopes made in China. You can get a nice Weaver Classic V series made in Japan at Light Optical Works for $160 or a Redfield made right here in the good old USA for well under $200.

 

[MUP]

Although I had checked the ring torque before taking it out, I did not remove the scope from the cradle to check the base screws, which I just got thru checking. With the wheeler fat wrench set to 25 in lbs, I had about 1/4 turn from each of the 4 bolts. Not sure if that much could be the culprit, but just starting at the bottom and working up. I have no shortage of scopes to possibly replace the low end Konus with, should that be the problem. Now, which sabot would you recommend GMB54, as I am indeed pushing soft lead conicals in the black sabot? I don't want them to fall in of course, but have good tension when loading.

 

[GMB54]

Can you post a pic of this cast bullet you are shooting?

Usually a Harvester EZ load sabot or The Harvester black crushrib are good in newer CVA bores. MMP HPH-24 sabot will be pretty close to the Harvester EZ load but its longer. This is assuming you are shooting a .452 bullet.

 

[MUP]

.452" bullet, lead bullets are from Knight and come with the black sabot in a pack of 20. They're considered practice bullets, but have a hollow point and I've found them to be more than adequate to kill deer.

 

[GMB54]

Yep, use the Harvester "smooth black short sabot"

Its labeled Harvester EZ load Premium sabot for bullets upto 300gr. That is a very commonly used sabot for newer CVAs. Even Cabelas/Bass Pro should stock them and they are slightly cheaper than the Crushrib.
https://www.cabelas.com/product/shootin ... ?slotId=11

The exact part# is H5045SB

 

[MUP]

Thanks friend, will get some as soon as feasible and give them a try. I know they have been quite a bit harder to load than in my old CVA Kodiak Mag. I've always thought they needed to be tight for better rifling engagement.

 

[MUP]

So the black sabot I'm using now, it's the old long version? Makes sense, as I've been using them since around 2004 I think.

 

[GMB54]

Not sure which sabot they used for their version of "cheap shots". They still sell them too.

 

[MUP]

Ordered the black EZ Load Harvester shorts, hoping for a two day delivery.

 

[MUP]

Yep, use the Harvester "smooth black short sabot"

Its labeled Harvester EZ load Premium sabot for bullets upto 300gr. That is a very commonly used sabot for newer CVAs. Even Cabelas/Bass Pro should stock them and they are slightly cheaper than the Crushrib.
https://www.cabelas.com/product/shootin ... ?slotId=11

The exact part# is H5045SB

Thank you for this info GMB54! I received the sabots this afternoon and raced to my shooting range to start working with them. After a couple shots I got a good point of reference and then a decent group, finally! Looks like the Konus is ok. Much appreciated friend!

 

[MUP]

Last 3 shots in the center. @ 100yds, I'll take it.

 

[MUP]

And here's the "high end" bullets I'm using. They kill as well as anything I've used.