If you own a CVA ENDURA™, you already know it’s built for precision, consistency, and long-range performance. But even the best rifle can only perform at its peak when paired with the right propellants, and in the right amounts.

Choosing an approved propellant isn’t just about fine-tuning your accuracy,  it’s about ensuring your safety, complying with hunting regulations, and getting the most performance out of your ENDURA™. The wrong powder can cause excessive barrel wear, unsafe pressures, or even void your warranty. Below, you’ll find the exact recommendations straight from the CVA Endura Owner’s Manual, along with insights on why these propellants deliver reliable performance in the field.

From the CVA ENDURA™ Owner’s Manual

APPROVED PROPELLANTS FOR THE ENDURA
"Blackhorn 209 is CVA’s all-around recommended propellant for the Endura rifle, as it is both a great performer and legal for use during most muzzleloading hunting seasons.

However, since Blackhorn 209 can sometimes be hard to find, the CVA Endura was designed to also be usable with specific types and amounts of modern smokeless rifle powders. These approved smokeless rifle powders are IMR 4198 and VihtaVuori N120. Be sure to check your local hunting regulations before using such modern smokeless rifle powders for hunting."

WARNING: THESE ARE THE ONLY APPROVED PROPELLANTS FOR USE IN THE CVA ENDURA. DO NOT LOAD ANY OTHER TYPES OF MODERN SMOKELESS POWDER, INCLUDING OTHER SUCH POWDERS DESIGNED FOR PISTOLS, SHOTGUNS, OR RIFLES, IN A CVA ENDURA.

APPROVED PROPELLANT CHARGES FOR THE ENDURA
"Regarding the specific by weight or by volume recommended propellant charges, CVA’s testing has shown loads somewhere within the below specified ranges will provide the best combination of accuracy, trajectory, and manageable recoil. By weight measuring will give the best results and is the only measuring method that should be used with the below recommended modern smokeless rifle powders. Performance can vary from gun to gun. Exceeding the maximum recommended by-weight charges shown below will not effectively increase ballistic and/or accuracy performance."

RECOMMENDED WEIGHT/VOLUME RANGE FOR BLACKHORN 209
.45 CALIBER: 98 – 112 grains by weight (140 – 160 grains by volume)

RECOMMENDED WEIGHT RANGE FOR IMR 4198
.45 CALIBER: 58 – 63 grains by weight (do not measure by volume)

RECOMMENDED WEIGHT RANGE FOR VIHTAVUORI N120
.45 CALIBER: 50 – 55 grains by weight (do not measure by volume)

Warning: Propellant loads exceeding the maximums listed above may create barrel pressures that could be unsafe. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED LOADS.

IMPORTANT: When using Blackhorn 209, measuring charges by weight with a powder scale is far more precise than measuring by volume and will provide the best results. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MEASURE THE RECOMMENDED MODERN SMOKELESS RIFLE POWDERS BY VOLUME.

ENDURA™ Ballistic Chart

Why These Propellants Perform Best in the ENDURA™

CVA’s recommendations aren’t guesswork, they’re the result of extensive range testing. Blackhorn 209 remains the go-to for most hunters thanks to its clean burn, consistent velocities, and legal compliance in the majority of muzzleloader seasons.

For shooters seeking alternative options, IMR 4198 and VihtaVuori N120 both deliver exceptional consistency in long-range performance, but require precise weighing to ensure safety and accuracy. The exact weight ranges listed above are critical to maintaining proper barrel pressure and preventing excessive recoil or damage to your rifle.

A simple tip is to keep a high-quality powder scale in your range bag. Not only will it help you maintain accuracy shot after shot, but it will also ensure you’re staying within CVA’s tested and approved guidelines.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to muzzleloader performance, your choice of propellant and charge weight can make or break your results. Following CVA’s exact recommendations ensures you’ll get the accuracy and consistency the ENDURA™ was designed to deliver,  while keeping you safe in the field.

For more information about the ENDURA, please visit CVA.com