The Optima Report...

I got my work done early today. Ran to the big city and grabbed a set of steel Weaver bases that fit the Optima. Did a few other things and headed home.

At home I decide to see how the open sights would shoot. Set a target up at 26 yards. I took with me some Pyrodex RS and some BlackHorn 209. I also took some 240 gr .430 Hornady XTP and crushed rib sabots. And some 348 gr Aero Tip Powerbelts.



My concern today was not so much accuracy but just to see how the rifle functioned, and swabbed, etc.. So I started with 80 grains of Pyrodex RS and the XTP's. I shot four rounds with the open sights and as I have said countless times.. I am not a fan of fiber optic sights!! The sun was to my right and it caused the red front sight to grow a moon from the glow of it. Also the stock on this rifle is very hard to get behind.

I discovered.. to really set that sight deep in the rear sight I have to almost get off the back of the rifle. Or there is part of the check piece that really presses into my cheek and is not comfortable to shoot, trying to get down, into the stock.



I realized that if the rifle had a scope on it, it would raise me enough off that stock to make it comfortable. So I went in the house, and mounted the Weaver Bases. Not real happy with them. Far to restricting on where the scope has to be placed. And I grabbed a $19.99 Simmons Pro Sport 4x32 scope off the shelf where I keep extras. And then I mounted that in a set of QR rings I had laying around.

Since I had swabbed the barrel clean, I decided.. lets try some BlackHorn 209 and see if this breech plug will shoot the stuff. Well even with a Winchester W209 primer I shot off BlackHorn like there was nothing to it. I shot four rounds of the XTP's with the Blackhorn and was surprised they hit higher.. but it was obvious that either the charge was wrong or the rifle does not like XTPS or crushed rib sabots.

So I swabbed the rifle clean and got out the powerbelts. All I had were 348 grain Aero Tip. I loaded 80 grains of Pyrodex RS and shot 5 rounds of them. Surprising was.. they hit even higher then the XTPs. And while at the distance I was shooting.. it should have been a ragged hole.. I really was not worried about accuracy at this point.



After 13 rounds.. the open area of the breech plug is still very very clean. No fouling on the back of the rifle where the firing pin lays, and the plug looked clean. Very impressed with that.



The firing pin is hitting nice and deep and dead center in the primers.. again pleased with that.



After shooting, I break the rifle open and tilt upward and the spent primers fall right out. Notice how pristine in condition they are. There just is not a lot of fouling out of this rifle.

So I ran the target out to 50 yards and decided to shoot at a picture on the target...



The bottom hit was 80 grains of BlackHorn 209. The top hit was 80 grains of Pyrodex RS. I was aiming dead center on the picture of Blackhorn 209 of course.

Cleaning the rifle was just a breeze. I took the fore end off and removed the barrel. The breech plug turned right out, easy, as advertised. I had used Slick 50 One Grease on it, and it was still the green anti seize. I was impressed. No blow back. A few patches later and the barrel was spotless. I ran two alcohol patches for the benefit of the Black Horn 209, and then two patches of Simple Green. A couple dry patches and an oil patch. Just a real easy rifle to clean.

So I have a lot of load work to do. I was going to order a BlackHorn breech plug but after today, to be honest.. I think when the BlackHorn runs out, I will be happy with the other powder. I do want to find a real accurate load. When the new scopes come in, this rifle will get a Cabela's 3-9x40mm PowderHorn Muzzleloader Scope. They were on sale for $28.95 and for that price.. I want to see what they are like.

A very nice rifle so far. Next time out, it will be pellets. Any bullet suggestions?

Good shootin' Even if it is a CVA

What does that rifle weigh with the scope?

With those scope bases. You need the extended rings, so you can get more movement in the scope. It looks to far forward to me. Either that, or get the one piece scope mount made for that gun from CVA.

Like this.

Actually it is kind of light weight. I put it on my turkey scale and it says.. between 6-1/2 and 7 pounds. So scope and everything is under seven pounds.

I agree Muley.. that is what I am going to have to do. I tried to find a DuraSight one piece base but being in the middle of no where, no one had them. I was surprised that little sporting goods had the Weaver bases.

Good report Cayugad.

Frankly, I'd leave that $20 Simmons scope on it.

I have a 3x10x40 Powder Horn scope sitting on the shelf. I had it on my X7 for two or three range sessions and would gladly swap it to anyone for a Simmons 4X ProDiamond. Not that it's a bad scope. I just prefer the trim little 9" ProDiamonds over the 12" Powder Horn. And 4X is just fine for my 175 yard or less hunting conditions.

Nice report! Looking forward to seeing more how it shoots.

Dave I think you will like your Optima. It is a simple action and strong. As for the scope base, I bought the Durasight for my Accura and had to alter it slightly. (See pic) to get the scope where I wanted it. I used a dremel tool to remove only enough material to clear the receiver when closed. The breech plug is slightly smaller in diameter than the barrel so that area cleared the base. Then I used Weaver steel rings.

You mentioned bullets...This is a load I worked up for a buddy's Optima a couple of years ago...The bullets were .430 Horady 300gr XTPs inside a plain green Harvester sabot...Powder charge was 80grs FFF Goex...

nchawkeye.. I happen to have some of them and that powder. I will give that a try.

Bronko the reason I dislike the Weaver bases I put on the rifle is.. the scope just barely fits between the space they give you for the rings. I mean there is no forward or backward, and the scope needs to come back a little.

I have also been looking at the DZ base and mount at Optics Planet.. kind of pricey but they look like a good system.