Last year, I got this CVA Optima V2 pistol in order to handgun hunt during muzzleloader season:


At the time, I thought it would be a 30-50 yard maximum gun, so I put my old Nikon 2x20mm scope on it. After testing it a few times, I realized too late it performed too well for a simple 2x scope. On top of that, the big buck I was after walked out a little over 100 yards away.

For this season, I decided to upgrade to the Nikon 2.5-8x28mm variable model. I placed an order through Cabela's for a scope and set of Warne rings on Saturday, and it arrived today. I quickly got it installed and leveled:


My bullets and sabots from Midway should be coming in tomorrow. Can't wait to sight it in this weekend.

Got another packaged in the mail. This one contained the bullets and sabots I ordered:

500 Berry's Plated 200 grain .452" HP
40 Barnes 200 grain .451" XPB
150 Harvester Crushed Rib 50-45 cal sabots

Check out the size of the hollow point cavity in the Barnes bullets:

I expect full expansion even on a longer range hit with these things.

Looks like a candidate for Ron's water jug test.

The 200gr and 225gr XPBs are really nice bullets. Ive shot quite a few of the 225s in my NULA. Expansion is pretty intense when shot at warp speed.

For cheap plinkers checkout these from Xtreme Bullets. The plating is thicker than Berry's and at under $60/500 they are a steal
http://www.xtremebullets.com/45-s/48048.htm

You know, I halfway considered trying some of these Barnes bullets out of my 14" Model 460. I bet I could get them going at least 2500, possibly even over 2600 fps. Of course, I'm pretty sure they'd fail spectacularly if I hit a deer at close range with them.

Nope they wont. A 225gr XPB with nearly all the petals blown off is still about 200gr. Ive shot that bullet into media/jugs at around 2300-2400fps. Performance is excellent.

Deer hate it too. Its one of the most popular bullets for the NULA smokeless muzzle loader.

GM 54-120 is right. i've never shot them as fast as he has but i've killed some big hogs with the 225 grain .430 XPB bullet. i shoot them at about 2,000 fps. They penetrate both shoulders of a 275-300 pound hog and keep on going.

I would use either without hesitation on deer sized game. They would probably be outstanding in the CVA pistol. Less recoil and pretty much fool proof expansion.

I found my notes. The one 225gr i weighed retained 205gr after impacting at over 2200fps. The front jug pretty much exploded.

Yeah, I figured they'd be just about perfect for my setup. As long as they shoot accurately, I'll be happy.