I went to the range to sight in my new CVA.I order some DEAD CENTER sabots 240 gr with a load of 130 pellets.I was all over the paper at first. I shot and than swab cool down and than shot again and was still all over the target and this was at 50 yards. I than started to get my groups alittle closer only to have them spreed out again.I was getting very shall we say pissed. I than went over to the 100 yards target and started all over again,while at this target the group did get better but not as tight as I would have like.I would love any and all advise on this smoke pole thing.

I am new to this game, as well. I am shooting 245g with 100g powder. There is a website for powerbelts that gives ballistics by load. www.powerbelts.com. This helped mebecause I am used to zeroing at 100 yds 1 inch high. I zeroed the ML at 50 yds 1 inch high. The drop from 100 to 150 yds is significant. My longest shot is 125 so I am comfortable but would not do over 150, if I had the shot.

I did try to sight in with powerbelts but they were all over the target. I order the DEAD CENTER bulltes and it seems to be better but just can"t get a tight group

What size primer caps are you using. If your using #11's they may not have the burn rate that is hot enough to ignite all 130 grains of pellets. If its a 209 primer they should have the power to ignite the pellets. I personally use loose powder as IMO it ignites faster and IMO I get better accuracy with it. If you like pellets try reducing to 100 grains. All guns are different and like different loads. My ML really likes 90 grains of clean shot with a 240 grain bullet. I get 1.5 in groups @ 100 yards all day long with it. Keep experimenting you'll find the right combo.

I used Powerbelts for a while and had ok accuracy. I then went to the 250 gr. Barnes Expander MZ with 100 grains of Triple and had VERY good accuracy...like 1.5" 3 shot groups at 100 yds. I noticed that they were a lot tighter fitting with the sabots they came with and am inclined to think that is why they were so much more accurate. These are also devastating on the couple does I have shot.

Try other projectiles and try to find one that is tight, but not so tight that it is difficult to load.

My Thompson Hawken .50cal had similiar issues. I had to experiment with different loads/bullets to finally find the right combination for accuracy. I swab/cool barrel between shots. I'm shooting 1 to 1.5 inch groups at 100yds open sights. It took me a few weeks but I finally was able to narrow it down to that. For open sights at 100yds...I'll take that accuracy all day.

First question....are you using a scope or "fixed sights"? Sounds more like a scope issue.

If not, try increasing your load to 150 gr, then see if that puts you on at 100 yards. My old CVA would group .300gr Barnes X-press at 1-1.5" at 200 yards with 150 grs. Triple 7.....

JOJO,

I had the same problem with mine. Once I swithced to loose powder Triple 7, I grouped much tighter. The loose works better for me.

Dito, I changed from pellets to loose powder and it made a big difference. Could only get a group of 6 inch with pellets but with loose powder it went to 1.5 at 100 yards.

Blackhorn 209 powder
Federal 209a primer
start with 90 grs
Harvester Crush Rib Sabot
Harvester Scorpion PT Gold 260 gr

Go to the web and research these products. The people @ Harvester Muzzloading are friendly, helpful,best I've found, and they make GREAT products. Using their advice and products,
My T/C shoots 1" groups @ 100....everytime.