My CVA Wolf which has just a few differencesfrom a Optima shoots real well with 90 and 100 grains of Pyrodex loose and also with 2 50grain Pyrodex pellets. I've never tried anything more than 100gr. What kind of sabots are you shooting? Mine prefers in 250gr Barnes Expander MZ's, Knight Red Hots, and Harvestor Sabre Tooths. In 300gr, the same Barnes's, Knights, and the Hornaday 300 XTP. All with the Crushed Rib Sabots.