CVA Optima and Blackhorn 209
 

Switched to BH 209 and so far like it, weighing powder with beam scales, tried 70 and 75, ignites very fast. Shooting low drag sst hornaday 250g, dry swabbing 1 patch between shots ( BH way cleaner than previous pellets, can push patch/ ram rod with 1 finger). Shoots 3 1/2 '' groups at 100 yrds off bench with bags, just curious what others are using for whitetail loads and how they shoot.
Thanks.

Save your patches, you don't need to swab between shots.

You will find greater accuracy without swabbing.

Personally, I like 100-110 Grains by Volume with a variety of 300 grain bullets. I'm sure a 250 would do the job but the 300s shoot great and why not hit a little harder.

For a 45, the 200 SST with 100 BH 209 is my go to load.

I would look for a bullet and sabot combination which provides a tighter fit. BH 209 likes a tight fit for best accuracy. Plus, I like something I know won't move off the powder. A one finger loader is pretty loose in my book.

Summary: Don't swab. It may provide a tighter fit and improve accuracy or switch up the bullet combo. It would be fun messing around anyway.

Good catch, I missed that when replying.

110gr BH209 with Barnes 250gr TEZ bullet with Harvester smooth black sabot.




I believe the OP meant the cleaning patch could be pushed down with one finger, not the bullet/sabot.

I dont swab either between shots but experiment and see which yields better results for you.

I don't care for easy loading sabots, I have had the best performance using the Harvester smooth black for 300gr and under bullets.

In my Optima I got the BlackHorn 209 breech plug from CVA. I also shoot a very hot primer.. the STS made by Remington. My rifle likes "by volume" 90 grains of BlackHorn 209. Some of the projectiles I have tried are the short black Nosler sabots with 300 grain Hornady XTPs.

It also shoots SST's very well. And I have been testing the rifle with some Scorpion 260 grain Hornady PT Gold bullets and short back sabots. Again, a very good shooting system.

And when I shoot BlackHorn 209 in the Optima, I do not swab.

Thanks for the quick replies...
Will try again today without swabbing between shots.

Went back to our range again for final prep for upcoming season Saturday, First and only shot at 100yrds nailed edge of 2'' bull. Called it good. Curiosity got the best of me so went back sunday to shoot at 150yrds. Shot almost same exact spot on bull just 1/2 inch to left, same height, bullet never dropped a bit. Im starting to like blackhorn 209 more and more...

73Gr by volume with Scorpion PT gold gave 2 1/2 groups at 200 yards for me with this set up off bi pod. T/C
Also I would recommend the 300 gr over the 260gr. It has better BC then and has more energy downrange with a less drop at 200 yards in my testing