CVA St. Louis Hawken LH Rifle

[pilgrim]

     for all you lefties     https://www.deercreekproducts.net/store/p727/CVA_St._Louis_Hawken_LH_Rifle.html

[ChrisHarris]

I bought one last year.  It shoots great!  Runs about 20 shots before it starts to hang fire.  Not what I would consider a range gun, as it's not a lot of fun to keep it clean for a days shooting, but it's accurate enough for deer and hogs.  Always fires the first time.

[pilgrim]

I bought one last year.  It shoots great!
    Not what I would consider a range gun, as it's not a lot of fun to keep it clean for a days shooting,

       I have two flintlocks.  One is a Lyman Great Plains rifle and the other is the 58 caliber Mike Lange built rifle with a LARGE  Colonial lock.  IMHO,  there has never been a black powder   flintlock  rifle made that can be shot all day without picking the flash hole liner to clear debris so to eliminate hang fire,  and no fire.   Every time a patch is run down the barrel, it is mandatory,  after several shots, to pick the flash hole liner,  since any residue from the previous shot is pushed down into the liner area.   A vent pick is probably the least expensive tool  in our sport and yet it is the most overlooked tool needed  to thoroughly enjoy the art of Flintlock shooting.  I even pick the nipple on my percussion rifles.  Guarantees a shot every time.  Also a hang fire can be caused by too much powder in the flash pan.  Also both my flintlock rifles DO NOT LIKE THE POWDER STACK AGAINST THE FLASH LINER.    They prefer a small amount of 4F  placed as far as possible away from the flash hole liner,  again,  not stacked.    But this is only what I have found in my flintlock rifles.  Other rifles probably have different preferences. 

     Try shooting a percussion rifle all day without picking the nipple with a nipple pick.   Crud still builds up in the nipple,  just like in a flintlock  flash hole liner.  The result is,  hang fire and eventually,  no fire.

[Hanshi]

That's a nice rifle and the price is a steal.  Of course, the lock is on the wrong side and will have to be moved, AHEM!  I don't wipe between shots or strings so seldom have to pick the flashole.  That will make an excellent, no nonsense woods rifle. 

[ChrisHarris]

I bought one last year.  It shoots great!
    Not what I would consider a range gun, as it's not a lot of fun to keep it clean for a days shooting,

       I have two flintlocks.  One is a Lyman Great Plains rifle and the other is the 58 caliber Mike Lange built rifle with a LARGE  Colonial lock.  IMHO,  there has never been a black powder   flintlock  rifle made that can be shot all day without picking the flash hole liner to clear debris so to eliminate hang fire,  and no fire.   Every time a patch is run down the barrel, it is mandatory,  after several shots, to pick the flash hole liner,  since any residue from the previous shot is pushed down into the liner area.   A vent pick is probably the least expensive tool  in our sport and yet it is the most overlooked tool needed  to thoroughly enjoy the art of Flintlock shooting.  I even pick the nipple on my percussion rifles.  Guarantees a shot every time.  Also a hang fire can be caused by too much powder in the flash pan.  Also both my flintlock rifles DO NOT LIKE THE POWDER STACK AGAINST THE FLASH LINER.    They prefer a small amount of 4F  placed as far as possible away from the flash hole liner,  again,  not stacked.    But this is only what I have found in my flintlock rifles.  Other rifles probably have different preferences. 

     Try shooting a percussion rifle all day without picking the nipple with a nipple pick.   Crud still builds up in the nipple,  just like in a flintlock  flash hole liner.  The result is,  hang fire and eventually,  no fire.

At the range, I run a wet patch after every shot.  I think I get more consistency that way. Some guys disagree, saying I'm only pushing fouling back down closer to the chamber and nipple. Tomato - tomatoe

I do have a pick and use it often... even on the cap locks.  Most of my caplocks will run about 30--35 shots without removing the nipple.  Then it's an easy 2 or 3 minutes to remove the nipple and pick it from the bottom side -- then run a soaking wet patch down the barrel and blow all the crud out the snail.  Run 1 patch to dry, then reinsert nipple, pop 2 caps and away we go!!

I use a spit patch to wipe the frizzen and pan after every shot with the rock chucker, and pick the vent every 3 or 4 shots.  Only shot it a handful of times, so haven't developed a field cleaning routine yet.  Should be simple enough once I learn the rifle.

[Red Badger]

The website is shut down and Deer Creek Products seems to have a reputation for not being reputable - So I am moving this to the archives.

Red Badger

[Hanshi]

At the range with my flintlocks I normally can shoot anywhere from 30 to 50+ shots without picking the vent.  There are occasions when I need to pick well before then but it's very uncommon.  Also the seating of the prb and accuracy are unaffected.  MLs are individuals and everyone has their own preference for loads, materials and procedures.  In my case - only my routine - I lube with mink oil (in the bush) and Hoppes #9 BP lube, and sometimes mink oil, at the range.  I've polished the crowns of my guns and use thick patching canvas, .020" to .024", which is easier to seat than even 10oz denim.  And being "frugal", I will use a flint until it's only a memory.  I install a new one each hunting season and remove it (usually) at the end.  And in goes the worn out flint for more use.