I am new to the site and love it.

I am new to muzzleloading and like the cva optima. I have heard that the extra barrel length allows more of the powder to burn. Is this true? At what distances does the extra barrel length improve your shots?

Whether the extra barrel length will improve your accuracy might get some real debate from some of the 22" barrel owners out there. I have a Knight Wolverine II with a 22" barrel that is super accurate. White made a G series rifle and some of the accuracy reports off them would be hard to beat too. Granted the longer 29" (I think it is) barrelwill give you a longer sight plane, and it will allow more of the powder in the rifle to ignite which could add additional velocity to the projectile which might make it shoot flatter, but the real accuracy will be up to you.

If you get a rifle with a good charge, a good accurate projectile and practice with it, the rest is just a matter of keeping your nerve when that monster buck walks out across the rifled.

I am sure the Optima Pro is a fine rifle. Enough people own them and shoot them. I do think there are better rifles out there on the market, but you might end up paying a lot more for them also... If you like the Optima then by all means, buy what you like. I don't think it will let you down.

Thanks for your reply. I can pay more if need be. What do you suggest?

I think I would look at the .50 caliber Omega by Thompson Center Arms. Also some of the Knight line of rifles such as the Revolution have the same break open action that you found interesting in the Optima. Non breakopen rifles such asthe Disc Elite are a good choice. Thompson Center and Knight of course are high end but not really as bad as many think they are. Someone was posting about an Omega that was around $300.00 which would be a good selection. Also these companies rate very high in the customer service and support which many find is a very important purchaseaspect of rifle purchases. Although, CVA and Traditionsalso have high marks in the customer service department as well.

I've read so many posts on different rifles with high ratings from owners, I guess the field is wide open. I personally would look for one with a good warranty, quality parts, quality material, and a good track record for accuracy. The T/C and Knight both are there.

The best thing you can do is get to a sporting good store that carries a wide selection of rifle makes and models. Then try pulling them to your shoulder and see how they fit. See how they line up with your eye. Check the length of the stock and drop. All of this is important. Then you pick out what you like best and go from there. From there I guess it is a matter of depth of the pocket book.

Here in NC, Walmart has the Omega, black composite stock and blue steel barrel for $289....An Omega with a stainless barrel and laminated stock runs about $425 at MidSouth....If you are new to the sport it might be worth the extra 50 bucks or so to get a local dealer to help you (if you have a good one in the area)...

I had a buddy that bought an Optima last year...He's happy with the gun...I didn't like...On his, the 2nd shot always shot 2-3 inches high, even after cleaning the barrel between shots...but...he did kill a nice 9 point on one of our farms with...LOL

Thanks for your help. I bought a Omega thumbhole stainless today at Walmart for $426.

nice rifle. I think you're going to be real happy with your Omega. That will be all the rifle you would ever need to own... Good luck with your new rifle.

I have a stainless Omega and with the longer barrel it will perform very well with slower burning powder like Black Mag'3 for instance. I do not have good results with ffg Tripple Seven as the crud ring that form in my Omega is too much trouble to deal with. Others seem to be able to shoot the 777 but not me. You might try the new Goex Pinnacle also as another possibility as it is very similar in formulation to the Black Mag'3. I have some but have not had enough time to really wring it out as yet. Black Mag'3 got my elk for me last year. Didn't get drawn this year so I guess I will have to be satisfied with killing targets.

Man Cayugad I can't believe you would say that. LOL

I was referring to him not myself of course...