CVA Shotgun Information Manual

							NOTE:The shot sizes in Table 1 include sizes ranging from #10, #9, #8,
#7 1/2, #7, #6, #5, #4, #2 and #BB. Do not confuse the size #BB
with the term used to describe air rifle steel shot. Air rifle shot
should never be used in a muzzleloading shotgun. TABLE 1
Suitable Charges
Light LoadField Load
Heavy Load
1 ounce of shot
1 1/8  ounce of shot1 1/4  ounce of shot
plus measuring device
filled with same
volume ofplus measuring device
filled with same
volume ofplus measuring device
filled with same
volume of
2f (ffg)
blackpowder2f (ffg)
blackpowder2f (ffg)
blackpowder
CAUTION: A shot charge in excess of 1 1/4 ounces is considered
unsafe and should not be used. A powder charge in excess of the
volume area occupied by 1 1/4 ounce of shot is considered unsafe
and should not be used. Do not use an unbalanced load (more shot
than powder or visa versa). Do not use 3f (fffg) blackpowder.
9 
						

							F.    SHOT
1. There are three basic types of shot available in the various shot pellet sizes.
a. Soft Shot: The most common type and the least expensive. These almost
pure lead pellets are very soft and are easily deformed during passage
up the barrel bore. Therefore, they spread quite rapidly after exiting
the bore. Soft shot is primarily used for skeet and close range targets.
b. Chilled Shot: Individual shot pellets containing a slight percentage of
the hardening agent, antimony. Consequently, the shot becomes less
deformed during passage up the bore. The shot pattern also becomes
more efficient.
c. Hard Shot (also known as Magnum Shot): Pellets which are further
hardened with antimony, resulting in little deformation during bore
passage. Primary use is for maximum range and dense patterns. The
most expensive of the three varieties.
WARNING: NEVER USE ANY STEEL SHOT IN A CVA SHOTGUN UN-
LESS YOUR MODEL IS DESIGNED TO HANDLE THIS TYPE OF SHOT.
HELPFUL HINT: The exact number of pellets can vary depending on brand
or lot. To determine the shot size (diameter), multiply the shot size by .01
then subtract the answer from .17 (constant). Example for shot size #6: 6 x
.01 = .06;  .17 -. 06 = .11 diameter.
10 
						

							G. BUCKSHOT
1. Although the shot size numbers are the same as some buckshot num-
bers, do not confuse the two. Buckshot pellets are larger in diameter.
Buckshot hardness is about the same as that of chilled shot pellets. TABLE 2
Approximate Shot Characteristics Per Given Charge
Number of Pellets Per:                 Size Per: Pellet
Shot Size 1 oz. 1 1/8 oz. 1 1/4 oz. Diameter Weight
#2 90 102 113 .15” 4.86 grs.
#4 135 152 169 .13” 3.24 grs.
#5 170 192 213 .12” 2.57 grs.
#6 225 253 281 .11” 1.94 grs.
#7 1/2 360 393 437 .095” 1.25 grs.
#8 410 463 513 .09” 1.07 grs.
#9 585 658 731 .08” 0.75 grs.
11 
						

							TABLE 3
Approximate Buckshot Characteristics Per Given Charge
Count Per: Size Per:
Buckshot Size 1 1/8 oz. Diameter Weight
#4 23 .24” 20.70 gr.
#3 20 .25” 23.55 gr.
#2 16 .27” 29.70 gr.
#1 12 .30” 40.50 gr.
#0 10 .32” 49.00 gr.
#00 8 .34” 59.00 gr.
#000 7 .36” 70.00 gr.
1. When loading buckshot, the correct procedure is to count the number of
pellets before inserting them into the bore. (See Table 3.)
a. The buckshot load for the 12 gauge CVA Shotgun should not exceed a
total weight of 490 grains.
2. When using buckshot of any size, the powder charge is the same as the
volumetric load for 1 1/8 ounce of shot. (See Table 1.)
CAUTION: Do not use a greater load of powder than stated in Table
1. Use only 2f (ffg) blackpowder. Do not use 3f (fffg) blackpowder.
12 
						

							H. SINGLE PROJECTILE
1. There is one and only one single projectile for the 12 gauge CVA Shot-
gun. It is a .690 diameter round lead ball, weighing approximately 495
grains. This ball must be suitably patched. (See Page 17.)
2. The powder charge is the same as the volumetric load for l 1/8 ounce of
roundballs. (See page 9 for Table l.)
3. The above projectile, when suitably loaded, will give approximately 1,000
feet per second velocity and 1,100 foot pounds of energy. Velocity at 100
yards is approximately 800 feet per second. Energy at 100 yards is ap-
proximately 700 foot pounds.
I. BUFFERING COMPONENTS
1. Breach loading shotguns, utilizing modern smokeless powder, often have
the addition of buffering components to the shot pellets to prevent defor-
mation and to increase pattern percentage.
CAUTION: Do not use more powder. Use only 2f (ffg) blackpowder.
Do not use 3f (fffg) blackpowder.
WARNING: Under no circumstances should a mini ball, maxi ball,
R.E.A.L. Bullet®, rifled or unrifled shotgun slug be used in the CVA
Shotgun. Use will exceed safety limitations of this type of firearm.
13 
						

							2. Buffering agents or components consist of small round balls made from
plastic or other materials, such as flour, etc.
J. WADS
1. The wads, more than any other single shooting accessory used in a  muzzle-
loading shotgun, determine the efficiency of the load.
2. Wads must be inserted into the shotgun barrel in correct sequence without
deviation.
3. There are two basic categories of wads. (See Figure 5.)
a. Traditional, independent wads.
b. Modern, one-piece plastic wad.
WARNING: Under no circumstances should any form of buffering
agent be added to the shot load for the CVA Shotgun. Use will ex-
ceed safety limitations of this type of firearm.
DANGER: Do not confuse the term
plastic wad with that of plastic patch,
used in loading single shot
muzzleloaders. CVA does not recom-
mend the use of any plastic patch due
to ball-to-plastic patch fit. To use any
type of plastic patch will void the
warranty.
14
Figure 5 
						

							4. Characteristics of independent wads.
a The over-powder wad consists of a disk of firm cardboard, approxi-
mately 1/4-inch thick. Its purpose is to fit the bore in order to seal the
gas released by the burning of black powder. When the gas pressure
builds, the over-powder wad expands slightly to form a gasket and
utilizes the full energy of the gas pressure to push the charge out the
barrel. Do not lubricate the edges of the wad. To do so will prevent a
good seal.
b. The filler wad consists of a disk of pressed felt or cork, approximately
1/2-inch thick. Its purpose is to cushion the shock of the gas pressure
and, thereby, prevent the shot pellets from becoming deformed. De-
formed shot pellets will not pattern well as they exit the bore.
NOTE: Never substitute a filler wad or shot wad as a replacement for the
over-powder wad, as it will not properly seal the gas pressure.
c. The over-shot wad consists of a disk of thin cardboard, approximately
1/32-inch thick. As its name implies, its purpose is to hold the shot
pellets in position and prevent them from rolling down and out the
bore.
d. The barrel loading sequence when independent wads are utilized is:
1. Chosen volumetric powder charge
2. One over-powder wad
3. One filler wad
4. Chosen volumetric shot pellet charge
5. One over-shot wad
15 
						

							5. Characteristics of one-piece plastic wad. (See Figure 5.)
a. The one-piece plastic wad is an adaptation of a modern shotshell and
can be used with the muzzleloading shotgun with one minor addition:
the over-shot wad. The cup shaped portion of the plastic wad replaces
the need for an over-powder wad in the traditional method. Its purpose
is the same. It fits the bore in order to seal the gas released by the
burning blackpowder. As the gas pressure builds, the edges of the cup
expand outward and seal the cup edge firmly against the barrel wall.
The next segment of the plastic wad acts as the filler wad. The “spokes”
are designed to collapse slowly under pressure and prevent shot pellet
deformation.
The “petal” segment of the plastic wad encases the shot pellets. When
the gun is fired, the “petals” protect the individual pellets from contact-
ing the barrel wall and becoming deformed. As the plastic wad exits the
bore, the air pressure folds the “petals” backward and separates the
plastic wad from the shot.
b. To secure the loose shot pellets from rolling down and out the bore, an
over-shot wad must be inserted into the bore to rest on the shot charge
c. The barrel loading sequence when a one-piece plastic wad is utilized is:
1. Chosen volumetric powder charge
2. One-piece plastic wad (for .720 bore diameter)
CAUTION: Do not use the wads for anything other than their designated
purpose. Do not substitute wads. Do not use more than one wad for each
load. Never use a cloth patch, loose cloth or loose paper as a substitute for
a wad.
16 
						

							3. Chosen volumetric shot pellet charge
4. One over-shot wad
6. Buckshot wads
a. There are two types of wads which can be used with buckshot.
1. Independent wads with larger size buckshot, such as #0, #00 and
    #000 will give generally better pattern performance.
2. One-piece plastic wad with smaller buckshot size pellets, such as
    #1, #2, #3 and #4. Do not use a one-piece plastic wad with #0,
    #00, or #000 buckshot. To do so will result in poor pattern
    performance.
7. Single Projectile Wad
a. Surround the .690 round ball with a lubricated cloth patch of suffi-
cient thickness to create a gasket seal.
b. No wad is used with the .690 round ball. Use of any form of wad will
decrease efficiency and could result in excessive pressure.
CAUTION: Do not substitute an independent over-powder wad for
the over-shot wad. Do not substitute a filler wad for an over-shot
wad. Do not use a cloth patch, loose cloth or loose paper as a sub-
stitute for an over-shot wad.
17 
						

							K. LOADING AND SHOOTING OF PERCUSSION SHOTGUN
1. Wear shatterproof shooting glasses since percussion caps may shower
sparks or bits of the cap when fired.
2. If your CVA Shotgun has two barrels: To prevent loading the same
barrel twice, partially insert a wad (or cloth patch) just into the muzzle
of the bore NOT to be loaded first. Position the wad so that it can be
removed by hand later. Its purpose is to serve only as a safety ‘re-
minder.’
3. Be sure the shotgun is unloaded.
a.Place ramrod down barrel to breech plug and mark ramrod at
muzzle.
b. Remove the ramrod and lay it along the outside of the barrel. Line
up the mark at the muzzle. The other end of the ramrod should be
at the breech mechanism. This practice shows the shotgun is un-
loaded. If the ramrod does not line up to the breech mechanism, the
barrel has an obstruction and should be cleared before proceeding.
4. Check the half-cock safety settings of the hammers as outlined in sec-
tion D.
5. Clean all oil and grease from barrel interior (refer to page 28 for clean-
ing and maintenance).
6. WITH THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION and the ham-
mer on half-cock, place a percussion cap on the nipple. All CVA muzzle-
loading shotguns use a #11 size cap.
18