Well with 90gr JSG The rifle would shoot a 1 1/2" 10 shot group @ 50 yards with the 295gr powerbelts.

The BH209 load however, man it was just so sweet!

hunt12ga

If you are getting those type of results with T7 pellets - I really wonder what you might do with T7 loose.

Your results from using BH in the Optima might be the results of two different effects. One effect might be the results of the CVA breech plug which at times can be marginal shooting BH. Those very hot primers in combination with a hot primer tend to build a large amount of carbon in the flash channel. The problem is that the flash channel is so small (3mm - I believe) it can fill very quickly. The other problem may be the size of the flash hole in the end of the plug. The flash hole is .030 ( again if I remember right) and BH recommends .035". I use Lehigh Vent liners and they are .032" and work very well with W209's and BH.

The last thought I might add in is that BH is smokeless progressive buring powder and really needs to contain compression as the burn occurs. IF your sabots are loose you may not be getting a complete burn or and most likely an inconsistent burn which would result inconsistent results at the target.

If you would like to get your breech plug modified, which would also help with the ignition of T7, you might contact ronlaughlin on this site with a PM - he is and has modified several plugs for CVA owners.

I appreciate the suggestions. For me, I'm satisfied with what my rifle is doing for me. It is shooting as well (no, it's shooting better) than I can, so I see no need to refine my load. I am in full agreement that loose powder will produce better results than pellets. I started my muzzleloader shooting with PRB's over blackpowder out of a .45 Kentucky rifle. I know that + or - a few grains can make a world of difference and you don't have that control with pellets. But since I'm poking holes in deer and not paper, I want my bullet to hit a set of lungs, not necessarily a bullseye. Obviously, I want a load that I can be confident in at my range limit. I wouldn't take a gun to the woods that was printing 5" patterns at 50 yards. I don't plan on shooting much past 100 yards, so my sub- 1 1/2" group @100 will do for me any day. A groundhog wouldn't stand a chance against that, let alone a deer (if I do my part).

Crud rings don't bother me. Swabbing between shots doesn't bother me. Cleaning my gun at the end of the day doesn't bother me. Paying $30 for 10 oz of powder and having to carry a drill bit and/or alter my BP does bother me.

The verdict is: my 777 load wasn't broke; I don't need to fix it...
so why did I try to fix it?
The reason: I just gotta try new stuff...it's an excuse to shoot my gun! :biggrin:

rw

That's odd I shoot the same gun and it shoots a cloverleaf at 100 yds with blackhorn and 300 grain barnes expanders. But as previously stated every gun seems to have a certain combo that it likes. Use whatever delivers the best results and gives you that sense of confidence when you pull the trigger.