Muzzleloading Rifle

[RLAEHN]

I just purchased a New Frontier Cascade Magnum 50 cal rifle for my son (wants to get into whitetail hunting with bp). Have read one bad review regarding injury due to barrel exploding and that rifle is build with sub-standard materials.

Can anyone weigh in on this?

[HAIKU_RODNEY]

I have no experience with the rifle that you mention, however, I have shot blackpowder for a number of years and have done a lot of reading on the subject. Short starting is one thing that will significantly increase the pressure in a blackpowder rifle. If you are not aware, short starting is when you fail to seat the projectile against the powder. The other thing is to stick to the manufacturers recommendations. This includes the recommended powder granulation.

[DinkKiller]

I'll chime in here. There is a guy named Randy Wakeman (Google him) and the guy is probably one of the best sources for blackpowder guns and the such. I think the probelm you're refering to has to do with low or inadequate pressure tests on barrels by manufacturers such as CVA, Traditions, Winchester, etc. Seems these barrels on these BP rifles aren't made for the heavier powder charges and have had (in the past) some serious problems with the barrels blowing up. Not to worry though. Most of the problems were assoicated with the introduction of these said manufacturers and the probelm has supposedly been remedied. I believe the barrels are / were made in Spain and that could be the reason why they had a tendency to blow up under extreme pressures, probably because the quality control was somewhat lacking.
Thompson Center never had a problem with this and neither did Knight or Remington for that matter. Aside from this, I myself own a couple of T/C's a Remington and even a CVA Optima Pro magnum. The CVA really isn't in the same category as the TC or Remington I own but was a heck of alot cheaper yet still does it's intended job. Just follow the manufacturer's suggestion on powder charges and bullet weight and you probably won't ever have a problem. Despite the problems associated with these barrel blow ups, I've never had a problem with the CVA and it is quite accurate.
Hope this helps some.

Dink

[mdoughty]

when loading a good idea is to mark your ramrod when you have the proper load in then you wii be able to tell if every thing is fully seated

[RLAEHN]

Thanks For The Imput. We'll Take It Out For Some Test Firing This Weekend.

[Fuelking]

I just purchased a New Frontier Cascade Magnum 50 cal rifle for my son (wants to get into whitetail hunting with bp). Have read one bad review regarding injury due to barrel exploding and that rifle is build with sub-standard materials.

Can anyone weigh in on this?

I bought my Cascade Magnum 50 Cal 4years ago
I shot 1 Mag. load thru it Just to try it. To me its a waste of poweder.
I currently use Horndy XTP Mag and 85 grains Triple 7 loose powder
The resultes at 100 yrds I am grouping less than 1/2 inch apart with a scope
also shot a 125 lb doe at about 125 yrdsl ast season
If you the buy gun for your and still not sure take it a Gun smith and have it inspected
I did with mine and I still have it. Looking forward to Deer season
Shoot it Gut it Fry it in butter