Go with the ML for Shotgun Season, I gave up my Mossberg Trophy Slugster and switched to only ML 15 years ago and have'nt went back, it's a-lot more fun and it makes youa better Hunter. Too bad WI wont let you use a higher power scope, here in SouthWestern New York we untill about 10 years ago could only use patch & round ball and no scopes, then they changed it to sabots and scopes (any-power) The reason our state let us use a variable scope was for A CLEANER HARVEST WITH LESS GAME LOSS. They figured using open sights was only adding to lost and unrecovered game. Hopefully more states will catch on and we all will benefit, even the game we hunt. Good luck using your ML for Shotgun Season and remember you only have one shot and make sure there's no Big Buck following that big Doe your thinking of shooting, it happens, I know! Best of luck on your ML Load, I have 5 different CVA's but no Optima, but in My CVA's I found that a 240gr. Hornaday HP XTP Bullet works great in all of them along with regular Pyrodox Pellets. I have'nt tried the T7 yet (have some) so I cant say. But I will try it.