Nysbowhunter--I also hunt with an Optima, I use two sixty grain T7 pellets behind a 250 grain Hornady SST. According to the T7 folks that is supposed to produce 2,000 FPS at the muzzle. At that speed the bullet should still be humping along at just under 1,400 FPS at 200 yards producing about 1,000 FP energy. This is plenty to use on deer at that range or a little more. I think I got these numbers from either the Hodgdon or the Hornady site. I use a Redfield Revenge Sabot scope on it and probably will not shoot at game at 200 yards but it is nice to know that I could if need be.

I also use the inline for hunting and I shoot a side hammer for fun using loose Pyrodex. I do not want to carry the side hammer hunting or scratch it up. Also, it has iron sights which are not friendly to old eyes.