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Post by M4Madness on Feb 11, 2017 18:55:23 GMT -5
 I recently took on a new deer rifle project, and other than optics, it is ready to go, so I figured I'd post about it. It is a CVA Apex rifle, which is like a T/C Encore in that it can swap barrels, only it has a much better (adjustable) trigger and doesn't have that turned-down stock, since it cannot accept a pistol grip. I bought it as a .45-70 Govt. and picked up a spare .308 Win barrel for firearms season. I sent the .45-70 barrel off to be converted into a muzzleloader by installing a breech plug. It uses fake .45-70 case heads as primer modules -- you simply prime them with large rifle magnum primers as you would any other .45-70 brass. The extractor/ejector still works, so when you hinge the rifle open, it pops the primer module up for easy removal. Using 55-60 grains of IMR 4198 powder and a saboted Hornady .40 SST, I'll be 2500+ FPS. |
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Post by greghopper on Feb 11, 2017 18:58:01 GMT -5
Any lead went down range?
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Post by M4Madness on Feb 11, 2017 19:13:05 GMT -5
Any lead went down range? Not yet. I still need to pick up boxes of bullets and sabots, as well as purchase scopes, since they mount to the barrels and not the frame. I just had new wheels and tires installed on the F-150 today, so you can imagine what that set me back. I haven't even been able to squeeze out a thin dime for the Mustang either. LOL! |
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Post by greghopper on Feb 11, 2017 19:26:15 GMT -5
Another gun so you can shoot your BUCK with a Bow....  |
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Post by M4Madness on Feb 11, 2017 19:38:37 GMT -5
Another gun so you can shoot your BUCK with a Bow.... I pray that every season. I only go out in firearms and muzzleloader seasons if I have to. LOL! |
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Post by parson on Feb 12, 2017 10:02:21 GMT -5
Looks like a pretty cool project. Hopefully, it'll shoot as good as it looks.
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Post by M4Madness on Feb 12, 2017 10:56:18 GMT -5
I'm sure I'll get some funny looks since it does not have an under-barrel ramrod. Lol! I could have had one rigged up, but it would have cost me $140 to do so. I'll just pick up one of the 3-piece collapsible ones that deploy in an instant and carry it in a pouch.
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Post by tmessner on Sept 18, 2018 8:38:14 GMT -5
I have a CVA Hunter in 45-70 that has been converted to Hank's ignition system muzzleloader. I was told to shoot a .40 cal sabot 180 gr with 60 gr of 4198 powder. I have shot it enough to be zeroed at 40 yards. I have no experience with experimenting with different powder loads and bullets. Is this a good combination or can I get more range, accuracy with a different load? I generally shoot deer at a maximum of 100 yards.
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Post by omegahunter on Sept 24, 2018 14:29:28 GMT -5
You likely won't appreciate the internal explosion that will result from a hit with a 180 or 200 grain pistol bullet from the sabot.
I used a 200 XTP with my conversion the first year and could not find the heart of the deer I shot, but my wife ended up finding a flattened piece of lead in her backstrap steak!!!!! There was massive damage to the vitals.
I now shoot the Barnes 195 in mine; no shrapnel.
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Post by tmessner on Sept 26, 2018 8:35:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. I will order some and try them.
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Post by omegahunter on Sept 27, 2018 7:23:52 GMT -5
I, too, use 60 grains of 4198 (H4198 to be exact) with the Barnes 195 bullets. I also knurl the bullets between two files to help the sabot grab the bullet to get it spinning.
Forgot to mention that I also use the Harvester smooth blue sabots instead of the tan ones that usually came with the .40 Barnes 195's.
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Post by esshup on Sept 28, 2018 22:36:12 GMT -5
I, too, use 60 grains of 4198 (H4198 to be exact) with the Barnes 195 bullets. I also knurl the bullets between two files to help the sabot grab the bullet to get it spinning. Forgot to mention that I also use the Harvester smooth blue sabots instead of the tan ones that usually came with the .40 Barnes 195's. I was using 10 more grains than you with the same bullet/sabot. Now I'm using a 300g full bore bullet, no sabot. |
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Post by tmessner on Oct 2, 2018 13:01:10 GMT -5
Why the switch?
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Post by esshup on Oct 5, 2018 22:51:27 GMT -5
Two reasons. Just wanted to try something different, but the biggest reason was to get away from the sabot. I have a tight bore and without a power rod there is no way to get a bullet/sabot shoved down the barrel. I don't have a ramrod thimble on mine either, and have the 3 piece with a drawer pull for a fatter end to fit my hand, but I'm worried about folding the ramrod over due the seating pressure needed I'll tell you this, I sure do notice the recoil with the heavier bullet!!!!!!!!! BUT, I'm amazed at how well they work. With the deer I shot last year with it, the shot left a piece of the heart about the size of a golf ball, and the deer dropped right in it's tracks. Never had a heart shot deer do that before. I'm using the 300g Parker Match Hunter Bullet. Parker BulletsYes, they are expensive. BUT, I'm not shooting them at paper other than to get the gun sighted in and verify drop and group size, then just yearly verify POI. I figure a box of 50 will last me at least 5 years, if not more. If needed to, they will cleanly take a deer out to 400 yds. |
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Post by tmessner on Oct 7, 2018 21:09:00 GMT -5
Just had some fun with the ML. It sure is fun to shoot as it is set up with the current loads. the squash we were shooting at at 75 yards make an impressive sight so there is no doubt about a hit. at this point I see no reason to switch except to get try a rifle bullet as suggested earlier.
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Post by tmessner on Dec 16, 2019 22:28:32 GMT -5
Got my first deer this year with my converted 45.70. I hit just above the front shoulder at 78 yards. The doe dropped like a rock with an exploded spine and lead pieces all over internally.
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Post by tmessner on Dec 16, 2019 22:29:15 GMT -5
I am thinking about taking it along to Florida in January to try some hog hunting with it.
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Post by esshup on Dec 16, 2019 23:12:27 GMT -5
I am thinking about taking it along to Florida in January to try some hog hunting with it. Hogs can be a lot tougher than deer. When I used my .50 Savage on hogs I always used Barnes bullets. No penetration issues. |
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Post by onebentarrow on Dec 16, 2019 23:15:27 GMT -5
Got my first deer this year with my converted 45.70. I hit just above the front shoulder at 78 yards. The doe dropped like a rock with an exploded spine and lead pieces all over internally. That is why I went to copper solids in mine. No lead contamination and same deer reaction |
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Post by deadeer on Dec 21, 2019 2:44:59 GMT -5
Another vote for the Barnes 195bx in Harvestor light blue sabots. You cant stop them. Massive blood trails and complete pass thrus no matter what angle. Here is an example of normal blood trais..  The 200gr 40cal SST's would be better than a 180 or 200gr xtp. I sometimes use them for something different. They do come apart at high speed, but are 100% reliable around 2400fps and under. Here is an example of the destructive nature of the SST at high speed. The shoulder was almost disconnected, and obviously completely destroyed. It was not the aiming point, but collateral damage on exit.  |
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