CVA Optima Pro 50 cal. Need load recommendations

[Dan71]

Hello this is my first post here ion this forum.

I bought a CVA Optima Pro a few years back. Since I was deployed, I was unable to shoot it... till now. I sighted it on paper @ 50yds but Im a little scattered @ 100yds. Im using a Power Belt 245gr poly tip in front of triple 7 100 gr pellets.

I called CVA they recommend the Power Belt 295gr hollow point... but I cant recall if I am to use a 100 or 150gr pellets. My friend tells my Im better off using straight powder cause he thinks the pellets are too inconsistent.

I will be going back to the range Friday to try to get her in right. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Dan

[dalberg]

if you can find BlackHorn 209 and don't mind paying for it, try 90 grains and a 290 Barnes T-EZ with the supplied blue sabot. In my Dad's Optima that load does very well.

[lemoyne]

Welcome to the forum.
Well first off that much powder with 245 gr is a mismatch. Those particular PB's are bad about fragmenting, no more than 80 gr with them. If you must use a PB then get the 348 gr. I recommend a sabot type load if its legal where you hunt the 250 gr or 300gr Gold Dot or the 250 or 300gr XTP are reasonable priced bullets that will do good on deer. And then if you want to pay the price the Nosler partition bullets and the Lehigh makes several all of which are excellent but you pay for top of the line bullets.
If you must use a conical give the FPB Hornady 350 gr a try they amazed me as did the 200 gr Lehigh. I would suggest about 100 or 110 gr of loose Blackhorn if you can get it Pyrodex RS will do the job though. If you have a lot of time and patience you might get 777 to work some do I get the crudring so bad I would never put it in my guns again.

[Big Z]

Not a fan of powerbelts myself I'm a sabot guy--hdy SST, T/C shockwave, or hdy xtps with sabots would be what I would start with myself. And pellets are a waste of money. Cost more to shoot, can't vary your loads like you can with loose. Pyrodex RS does the trick there for me. My hunting load for my T/C Omega is a 250gr shockwave with 130gr Pyrodex RS, or a 240gr T/C Cheap Shot with the same charge if I'm not going to be shooting very far.

[MountainDevil54]

90gr Pyro - P with the 348gr Aerotip and 777 primer. Awesome accuraccy.

300gr xtp mag in short black mmp-12 sabot with 100-110gr RS

247 and/or 250gr Thor with 90-110gr RS.

[marshall9779]

My Optima Elite love the 200gr Shockwave over 100gr BH209. Under 3/4" center to center 3 shots at 100yds. Minus #4 being a pulled shot.

[trophyslugster]

try 2 777 pellets with the slickload cva bullets there white they work real good

[Kathwacckkk]

If you are going to stay with the Powerbelts and jump to the 295grain, I would still stay with 2 pellets of powder. Very few guns shoot accurate with max poder load. My .50 CVA Kodiak Pro loves tge 245gr areotip Powerbelts with 2 pellets of 777 and winchester 209 primers. I was also spraying bullets when I first got into muzzleloading. This forum convinced me that consistent pre-shot routine (cleaning, powder load, bullet weight, seating pressure, etc...) is the only way to get consistent, accurate and repeatable results.

Personally, I would try completely break the gun down and clean it between every shot. Start with a clean, cool, dry barrel ever shot, make sure your load is consistent with consistent pressure and see if the bullet impact becomes consistent.

Powerbelts, I have never had any problems with them or seen any evidence of fragmentation. All but one have been pass-through shots. Many here will tell you the exact opposite. The Powerbelt argument may just be the hottest debate in all of muzzleloading.

Keep us informed.

[Dan71]

Went to the range today and tried all different loads and bullets @ 50 yards.

My best group @ 50 yards was with the TC 250gr shockwave with 90gr of Triple 7 powder. I literally shot through the hole 3 times.

I didn't have any luck with the PB 295gr HP's. The problem I had with them was the bullet would elevate and drop, but no windage adjustment was needed.

I have some 260gr Fusion I would like to try and might buy a pack of the Hornady brand too.

After all this, Im moving the target out to 75 yards and going to see how the TC Shockwaves do. Then move to the 100 yard mark and see the results. Im guessing with that group @ 50, I might as well stick with the Shockwave.

[MountainDevil54]

drop with the powerbelts is normal. How did they group?

With the shockwaves you may want to up the charge to around 100-110 grains.