CVA Optima V2 Load?

[muleytail]

I'm new to muzzleloaders and looking for advice. I'm shooting a CVA Optima V2 with the Konus 3-9 scope. I have shot it a bunch and am struggling to get any consistency, I'm shooting 100 grains of Hodgdon triple seven pellets, with a 245 grain powerbelt .50 Cal. Do I need to shoot better pellets? or possibly bump up to 150 grains? I thought I was finally dialed in, and then my next two shots were all over the place. After adjusting again I still couldn't get any consistency. Any advice on powder upgrades if that could be the issue? or what does everyone think?

 

[muleytail]

Also, if anybody shoots the Optima V2 I'd love to hear your entire set up!

 

[txhunter58]

Have never used the pellets because I like to try lots of different combinations and you can't do that with pellets. When I did use 777, I used the powder. I would start at 90 grains, shoot 3 times, then 95, shoot 3 times, then 100 grains, 105 gr, 110. Should be able to find your rifles sweet spot in that range. Shouldn't have to go beyond 110 grains of powder. I would NOT recommend going to 150 unless you like to spend money and have a sore shoulder.

Be sure that you barrel has time to cool down. Just like a centerfire rifle, the shots will start going wild if the barrel is too hot.

 

[Deerlove]

110 grains of blackhorn and 250 grain powerbelt.

 

[bobberdown]

I have the CVA PLAINS RIFLE shoot 110 grs of Blackhorn and 250 grain Barnes shoots very good. Good luck

 

[basinbowhunter]

110 grains of Blackhorn and a Barnes 250 TEZ with a harvester black sabot. (not the ribbed one). For my optima, its as good as I can get it.

 

[txhunter58]

He didn't say where he was from, but since he is using a powerbelts, he may have to use a conical.

 

[basinbowhunter]

Yes Txhunter58. Very true. If he has to shoot conicals I would recommend the 300 grain THORS. They shoot very similar to the TEZ in my optima.

 

[txhunter58]

Friend of mine just killed a bull on Sunday with the 300 Gr Thor

 

[JC84]

I have an optima v2 100 gr volume blackhorn
250gr Thor what I did was swab with windex patches after every shot Find out what it does clean first then play with a dirty barrel

 

[JC84]

With p belts I would do the same clean every shot
And I just re read your post if you have a scope you must not be hunting Colorado my best luck was a swab after every shot while sighting in sabots are probably your best bet if they are legal where you hunt

 

[TFAvalanche]

Get yourself a whole new optic set up. New mounts, rings, and scope that can withstand the recoil energy of a MZ. I use Leupold mounts and rings over a Nikon 4-12 BDC. I shoot 100gr pellet 777 and either a 295gr Powerbelt or Federal BOR Loks. Swab between shots and after a set of 3 completely clean the barrel. This was my final Range day before last years 16 trip out of my Optima V2

 

[HIcountryman]

I have had cva accura v2 for 3 yrs. Last two I have shot the federal bor loc 350 gr lead bullet with 100 gr bhorn 209 powder w cci primer.

 

[ThunderImpulse4]

I ran your same set up for about 5 years. I shot 1in groups at 100, and about 2.5 to 3in at 200. I cleaned every 3rd shot every time. Cleaning became easier and grouping more consistent

 

[Bow6x6]

100gr(70 by weight) of 209BH and Barnes 290gr T-EZ.

 

[Elkextreme1]

300 Yards with 110 Black Horn, Hornaday 300, SST LowDrag.

 

[elkhunterUT]

100 grains by volume (70 by weight) of Blackhorn 209 powder with 300 grain Hornady XTP Mag in black harvester sabot.

 

[Servehim]

Friend of mine just killed a bull on Sunday with the 300 Gr Thor

I'm a big fan of that projectile. GREAT BULLET

 

[TheSageGrouse]

I bought a cva optima v2 based on the recommendations here. I tried to order a buy bh 209 breech plug from midway, but they shipped the wrong one and I was already running out of time. So I went to my nearest sporting goods store (2 hours away) and had the choice of IMR white hots, or nothing. So of course that's what I bought. I already had low drag sst sabots my wife and kids bought be. Well....this gun loves two white hot pellets. Shoots 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards and is a joy to shoot. It is super dirty though and makes me wish I was running bh 209 at times, but I don't think I'd switch. The gun shoots better than I do. My 7 year old and I were able to harvest a muley on our first ever muzzy hunt. 127 yards and it died immediately.