RE: Encore vs CVA Optima
I have a Optima myself and it shoots just as good or better than my friend's encore. I just wanted a cheap one to start out with and it has proven to be a good shooter so I see no reason to get another one. If I was going to do it again I would have gotten the Encore instead because it's better built and you can swap multiple barrels on it like a rifle, muzzleloader, and shotgun barrels with the Encore while you can't with the Optima. If you don't care about being able to switch barrels and just want a cheap one, the Optima will be just as good.