50calty

Well I finally was able to go shoot my new CVA Optima Pistol and post pics. Overall I am very impressed with the pistol. The only complaints that I have is getting a new oring to correct the spacing of the primer/firing pin bushing and the scope base. The scope base only has three slots making it impossible to use three scope rings. My uncle has a contender and all other contenders that i have seen has three rings to deal with the recoil. The pistol has the recoil of a 454 or a very hot load of a 44 mag. It is a blast to shoot though. Even placed a couple clay pigeions at 100 yards and the pistol tore them apart! I won't be afraid of a 100 yard shot, but still need to chrono though. Load so far is 90 grains BH209, 250 grain XTP, Harvester crushed rib sabot. Warne low mounts and Simmons 4x pistol scope.

cayugad

That is just a very cool pistol. Nice shooting. And that load you're shooting.. WOW that has some horse power to it. I have no doubt that would take a deer with ease. Congratulations on a fine pistol. I'd love to shoot that horse.

cayugad

Have you ever seen the pistol tripod that Melissa Bachman uses for her long barreled scoped contender pistol? It supports both the barrel and the butt of the pistol. From a seated position and of course with practice, I could see where that would be a very accurate rig.

builder459

Really good shooting. what's the max load for that pistol? as far as the scope rings and base are concerned, you might want to go to a solid 1 piece, which IMHO are far stronger..just a thought!

MountainDevil54

100gr max load.

Hold on tight!

Great groups! I think if you get on a real good steady rest and get more practice, you'll find that pistol to be just as accurate as the full size optima! Its pretty darn scary.

builder459

I think i would back the charge down to about 70 gr and call it good lol. that's plenty for 100 yd shooting.

bronko22000

That is really cool looking. I enjoy hunting with handguns. Only PA has restriced ML pistols to .54 or larger for big game and .50 for other game. If they make it in a .54 I will have me one for sure.

rafsob

Nice looking rig!!! I would love to use that rig in the woods, but can't in Virginia. Can't use it for hunting deer.

But that load would test anyone for sure. I shoot my cap and ball pistols, but with nothing close to that load and bullet weight. I would love to try working with one. I have two contender frames with ten barrels and about five hunting rigged hand cannons.

I would love to hear what the chronoed velocities are for the different loads. Please get back with us and let us know the data.

SJAdventures

Pretty impressive.

50calty

I will post the chrono results when I get them done. I may at some point go up to 95 grains, but I highly doubt 100. But who knows?! Also I may see what a 300 grain bullet would do. Just gives me more stuff to play around with!