Hi all,
I'm new to black powder muzzle loading. I inherited a CVA Mountain Rifle Kit model KA715 from my father. I'd like to finish it and shoot it for sentimental reasons as well as having and shooting a muzzle loader. I'm trying to find out if this rifle is safe to shoot. I've heard and read some horror stories about CVA. The only date I can find is stamped on the warranty card as Jan 21, 197? The last digit is unreadable. I can't find any country of origin marks anywhere. The Box is labeled "Made in America". The s/n stamped on the barrel is 0011128. There are no other markings. The threads on the nipple are 1/4x24. The Nipple appears to be stainless steel. I'm guessing that this is not a Spanish made barrel.
Thanks for your help!
CRH

Yes its safe to shoot. CVA had a recall on the 1995 and 1996 inline models. Those are the only guns affected by the recall and have safety issues.

You got a great gun there, that USA made CVA actually uses a top of the line Douglas barrel.

Not sure but i was told even the USA made nipple threads were the standard CVA 6-1mm thread. I sure hope you got the correct nipple in there.

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Frontier Muzzleloading

Like FG said... that is a great rifle. That was the very first muzzleloader I learned to shoot on. It was extremely accurate and just a well made rifle.

Thanks for the info - I feel much better about firing the gun. I'm really looking forward to my first opportunity to get out to shoot it. I'm not positive about the nipple threads... I just tried it in a 1/4x24 nut - not planning to change it unless I can't get primers that fit it.
Thanks again everybody.

It will take a #11 percussion cap. Be careful when you shop.. #10 are for the cap and ball revolvers and too small. I like RWS, CCI Magnum, Winchester Magnum, and Remington. If all they have are standard CCI.. well good luck.

I have the same kit that I built in 1977.
Like the poster above stated, the nipple
threads are 6x1mm. These are the standard
nipple threads for all CVA and Traditions rifles.

I purchased a new CVA Mountain Rifle in 1980. As I recall, it was $184 out the door.
One of my most accurate and fun rifles.
I shoot 50 grs. of FFG black powder in mine with a .490 patched ball, for a light plinking load. No sense using precious black powder to put holes in tin cans and targets out to 50 yards.
It's also a good introductory load for someone who's never fired or even seen a muzzleloader before. Almost no recoil, enough smoke to provide a real experience and very accurate.
You have a very good rifle. Mine's made in U.S.A. Later production had barrels made in Spain that were not as well made.
I liked mine back in 1980 because it was browned, not blued, and had german silver and pewter instead of brass fittings. It also has sights that look more authentic.
At the time, Thompson Center was the biggest competitor. I disliked then, and still do, the brass fittings and modern adjustable sights of the TC guns -- but they are accurate.
Your rifle will have a slow rifling pitch of 1 turn in 66 inches. This best serves round ball, but stubby conicals will also give good accuracy. The Lee REAL is a good start, should you wish to use conicals.
But frankly, the old-timers put a lot of deer and elk in the larder with nothing but a round ball over a healthy charge of black powder. Their secret? Markmanship and stalking close.
You have a nice rifle.

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A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44!