In your STEEL-FRAME "1851 Colt" pistol variants (made by CVA, Pietta, Uberti, etc.), you can use either a .451 diameter or .454 diameter lead ball (NOT a .45 caliber rifled bullet), and 30 grains of FFFg Black Powder. I recommend that you also use a "lubricated pistol wad" (NOT A PATCH) in between the powder and the bullet, so you don't "touch off" one of the other chambers, with a spark from the round you're planning to fire.
In your BRASS-FRAME "1851 Confederate Navy Colt" pistol variants (also made by CVA, Pietta, Uberti, etc.), you should use ONLY USE a .451 diameter lead ball, and ONLY 25 grains of FFFg Black Powder. Brass is a much softer metal than steel, and your frame can crack if you use too much powder when you shoot it.
Although Pietta "recommends" 30 grains, most reinactors will tell you that 25 grains is plenty enough to get the ball out of the barrel, and it is even more consistently accurate at 25 yards!
Most "starter kits" come with a 30 grain spout, but the "Confederate" (brass-frame) Colts are made from a softer metal, and you should use less powder in them, just to be on the "safe side". You can find a 25 grain spout that will fit most powder flasks at www.PossibleShop.com
The CVA 45 caliber blackpowder with the serial number 0025524, could only be 2 years old by the year 2014.
check on line for CVS gun parts
100-350 or so
They sell for between $100 +/- with a brass frame and 150 +/- with steel frame, also the condition adds or detracts from the value.
CVA stands for Conneticut Valley Arms. You have a reproduction of a Colt.
a standard cva 50 cal will run you about 100 if you find the right dealer. i got mine for 65 at a flea market
75-100 grains of powder.
CVA is s reproduction gun
Connecticut Valley Arms(CVA) is a modern manufacture that makes replica BP guns and guns of its own design. Model 1851 refers to a Colt pistol made in 1850's. A Colt gun would not be marked "CVA".
Kits were made by Connecticut Valley Arms Otherwise known as CVA
You need the services of a gunsmith
I purchased a 50.cal CVA Bobcat Muzzle Loader today at Kittry Trading Post in Kittery Maine (USA). The list price was $100.00 but i got it for $85.00. I have also seen the same gun for $65.00 on Google.