CVA 45cal. Kentucky Rifle?

[Babbott213]

Bought a 45cal. CVA Kentucky Rifle off of GunBroker. Bore looks good, but it appears to have zero twist to it. Can anyone explain? I worked on a buddies here while back as it had a load in it from many years ago. Took it from a wall hanger to a shooter again, but his definitely had a twist to the rifling.

[Nobade]

That's pretty wild! The twist was fairly slow in those, but it had some. If yours is really straight you've got a dual purpose ball and shot barrel.

[koger]

Most of those were 1-66 twist, with a few that were 1-72 back in the day. I would think that is what it is since that would be slow and hardly any twist would be visible.

[osage]

Mine is 1 in 66. As I recall I bought the kit in 1975.

[pietro]

.

IME, the best way to determine the rifling twist is not by visually inspecting the rifling.

Instead, use a RR or long dowel with a snug patch on the end & insert it in the muzzle slightly then marking the top of the RR/dowel away from the muzzle with a Sharpie.

Slowly push the RR/dowel down bore and count the revolutions the RR/dowel makes before it contacts the breechplug.

Then do the math to confirm the twist rate.

.

[GhostHawk]

Those were designed for round ball loads, and have a LONG slow twist as a result.

Clean it and try a patched round ball. Bet it shoots good.

[parson48]

I have one that I built from a 1970s kit. It is 1:66. It shoots .440 round balls accurately. I took my first ever deer with it.

[Babbott213]

Thanks for everyone’s reply’s. Talked to a buddy last night before anyone replied and I took a ramrod and a couple patches and ran it down the bore. Rod made a half turn, which equates to a 1:66 twist. To the eye, that rifling sure looks straight, but it’s not. Getting her all fixed up now and hope to be shooting her soon. Already bought some .440” round balls and also bought a .440” Lee Mold and already cast up some of my own round balls. Got plenty of powder too. Thanks!! 👍

[Kentucky146]

1:66 for patched round ball, fairly decent accuracy, one has to work up the load.

[gunther]

Try 45-50 grains of 2 or 3 f. If it's a percussion, hopefully the hammer nose strikes the nipple squarely.

[Babbott213]

It does strike the nipple squarely. My buddies however does not. Couldn’t set the lock any further inward, so I was able to use my MAP Gas torch and heat up the hammer cherry red and was able to move it over some, but it’s not perfect, but it sets off the caps every time. Apparently it had been used offset before and the crown on the hammer was broken off on one side. I was afraid to bend it anymore, as I was afraid it would snap being cast metal.

[greyhawk]

1:66 for patched round ball, fairly decent accuracy, one has to work up the load.

40 to 65 grains FFFg ---those old CVA's are about as unfussy as it gets
pure cotton pillow ticking or drill patch - cutting oil and water for lube

you have fell over a diamond in the rough - dont look anything special but they are darn fine shooters.....

[fixit]

I've had some success with pure lead handgun bullets from that rifle....up to 250 grain bullets. Probably not within pressure specs, but they shot well.

[beemer]

Was my first ML rifle, put together from a kit. A 38 Spcl case holds 28 grains of 3 F Gearhart-Owens, that and a .440 RB it took a lot of squirrels. It shot better with 50 grs but tore up the squirrels.

[Maven]

Bought a 45cal. CVA Kentucky Rifle off of GunBroker. Bore looks good, but it appears to have zero twist to it. Can anyone explain? I worked on a buddies here while back as it had a load in it from many years ago. Took it from a wall hanger to a shooter again, but his definitely had a twist to the rifling.

I think I'd scrub that bore with an oiled "wad" of 0000 steel wool, then try shooting it for accuracy at 25 yd. and 50 yd. with a patched .440" RB or maybe even a .445" RB. You don't want it patched so tightly that you'll break your ramrod trying to seat the combination you choose. Moreover, if the gun is accurate, you need to do little else, but clean it thoroughly after shooting. OTOH, since it has a 2-piece stock, careful bedding of the barrel may improve accuracy. Just some food for thought.

[Sixgun Symphony]

It does strike the nipple squarely. My buddies however does not. Couldn’t set the lock any further inward, so I was able to use my MAP Gas torch and heat up the hammer cherry red and was able to move it over some, but it’s not perfect, but it sets off the caps every time. Apparently it had been used offset before and the crown on the hammer was broken off on one side. I was afraid to bend it anymore, as I was afraid it would snap being cast metal.

Check with Dixie Gun Works for parts. Numrich Gun Parts Corp is also good.