Wow....great board....

I just picked up my first inline and need a starting point for a hunting load. I have a 26" barrel on a CVA Optima and I have decided to start with 777 powder...not pellets. I would love to be accurate at 200 yards and still have enough enegy for a whitetail. I can't make this shot with my Hawkins and have never seriously considered sabots, until now. I have always liked Hornady ammunition and will probably start with XTP Mags in 44 or 45 cal.

My question is bullet weight(s) sabot manufacturer, powder charge and expected trajectory(s)

Thanks...you guys rule

I take it your going to scope the rifle? The Optima is sure able to make those kind of shots your talking about from all the posts I have read on them.

As for powder charge and projectile I would start at 75 grains of Triple Se7en FFg and then increase the powder charge until you get the tightest group with the projectile. This should come in around 90 grains. At least in my CVA Staghorn that is where it did. I now shoot Goex FFFg and I still have my best groups at 90 grains of powder.

The XTP's are good shooting bullets but they might not be the best choice for 200 yard shots. I think if your going to shoot out to 200 yards you would want to go with a 250 or 300 grain Hornady SST with the poly tip, or Thompson Center Shockwaves shoot fantastic out of my Staghorn. They are the same poly tip bullet as the Hornady SST but have a different sabot that my Staghorn seems to like.

Don't overlook the aero tip powerbelts for long range shooting. They can do it, and they still seem to have enough energy after reaching out that far to get the job done. Personally, and I mean no offence... I do not like the idea of shooting muzzleloaders out to 200 yards because most people will not practice those kind of shots. If your going to shoot that far, practice that far and learn your rifle. It sure saves a lot of work tracking wounded animals.....

Good luck with your rifle.

I just returned from the range and my Optima is shooting 1 1/8 inch 3 shot groups at 100 yds with 2-50 gr. Pyrodex behind a 200 gr. Hornady SST/ML. I think the key is cleaning with a damp (spit) patch followed by a dry patch between shots. Good luck

Damp patch followed by a dry one is my method. Works pretty good for me.

michigandrake.

I do not know if you can use sabots or not but this what I was using .458 350 grain Hornady HP's (a regualr rifle bullet) I have sinced switched to a 300 grain .458 Hornady for shooting target practice & a Nosler Partition 300 grain protected point for elk.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...loader/458.jpg

and here is the ballistic sheet

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...Ballistics.jpg

Give a shout if you have any questions

Thanks for the info guys.........

cayugad, I do have a scope on the rifle and I am starting with the Hornady SST,s ......Plan on hitting the range after work this week.

Will give the wet patch, dry patch trick aswell

Thanks again

T/C Shockwaves (Hornady's twin sister) load easier than SSTs
T/C Mag Express Sabots (Hornady's sister) load easier than Hornady XTPs & are still magnum-designed/magnum-rated.

Call CVA by phone (770-449-4687) to get 105 grains 777 approved in your rifle since the manual limits you to 100 grain chargers (Pyrodex equivalent). I had heard CVA has started approving loose powder magnum charges that don't exceed 120 grain Pyrodex equivalent.

Please get the CVA/BPI gentleman/tech's name & post it here for future reference. Ask him what the max loose grain allowance is with 777... POST THAT ALSO PLEASE!..... thanks.

Talked with the CVA tech this morning and he informed me that the max load of loose 777 is 120 grains......thats for the CVA Optima

Thanks Drake

Alot of CVA/Winchester shooters will be happy when they read your reply. This is the 3rd time I've received the same response from shooters who called BPI -- so the 120 is now the updated load maximum.

P.S to all!
I have a heavy schedule approaching. Will be reading alot -- but posting much-much less. Sorry newbies!