I stopped by Cabela's on Tuesday to pick up a new ML.
They didn't have the one I wanted,Optima Pro,Blue/Blue with the free scope deal in stock so they agreed to ship it for FREE!
I have been shooting ML since I was 12(I'm 41) and have always used sidelocks. I have a TC .45 Hawken that my Grandpa and I built out of a kit when I was 12 and a .58 TC Renegade stock,Sharon false muzzle barrel that was Grandpa's gun(he passed on in 88). I have shot lots of deer with both rifles but thought I'd give a modern one a try.
I am looking to get extended range. That's why I went with the 29" barrel Optima Pro.
I bought some TC 300 gr sabot/bullets and am finally switching to Pyrodex after years of using only blackpowder.

Any advise on loads?
100 or 150 gr?
I would like to be able to reach out 150+ yards if needed.

Your 58-cal T/C Renegade allows you to use more loose powder than your new Optima will. I shoot my Renegade 58 using a lubed conical just as far as my inline T/C Omega using sabots.

Your new Optima rifle manual may allow you to use three pellet loads in that Optima, but "on average", the only good shooting three pellet ML rifles are T/Cs and Knights. Very few Traditions & CVAs have positive feedback with 150 gr. loads on 22 ML forums I visit.

Cabelas has the best rifle-return policy. You can return any mail-order rifle to any nearby store. The excuse used most often is poor trigger. They will issue a store credit for a new rifle or refund your money if not satisfied by what's inside that rifle box.

Thinking seriously about shooting 150 gr. loads?
Buy a red-disk Knight rifle or a T/C Omega, Encore or Black Diamond XR.

I have the regular Optima, and it really like the 245 grain powerbelt bullets and 100 grains of Pyrodex.

Buel

I've just shot the CVA Optima! What a dream shooter! Absolutly no blow-back at the breech plug! You can load the 209 primer by hand and remove it just as easy. Used 2x50grain Pyro pellets(some crud ring formation after 5 shots) and some 100grains loose American Pioneer Powder, pushing 245hp/pb's. Great accuracy!

If I had to do it over, I'd buy the Optima or Optima Pro--way better than the Kodiak or Firebolt/MagHunter!

You may want to change powders again to FFFg APP Way less swabing, non-corrosive and no crud ring, and had same POI at 50-70 yards

Well my new rifle came yesterday afternoon, too late to go out and sight it in.
I didi get the scope mounted.
I'll go shoot it some next weekend.
I can't wait!

Although your .58 caliber is able to do some impressive long range shooting, it is always nice to have a new rifle. I hope the Optima shoots as good for you as many of the other posters claim.

I have a CVA Staghorn Magnum I bought only because for the price they wanted I could not turn it down. It has been a great shooting rifle actually. It shoots powerbelts excellent but I can not get the charge over 90 grains of Goex FFg or they fly all over. With sabots the same charge produces excellent results. I mounted a Bushnell RED DOT on it. Scopes are illegal in out black powder season, so this is my stalk around the marsh rifle....

Let us know how well it shoots. Always interesting to learn the loads you use for your best accuracy.

Will do.
It's going to be cold on Sunday,well not as cold in Iowa as it 's going to be in WI(I live in Iowa but work in WI).
I plan on trying good old blackpowder as well as the pryodex I bought.
We will see what happens.
I won't be able to use it on deer until Jan 15-16th for the doe only late hunt in Iowa.
If I can't get it zeroed in by then(limited time) I'll just go with one of my trusty old guns.

I agree with Crigster, My OP also shoot the 50 cal, 245 gr Powerbelts very well.
I use 2 - 50 gr Pyrodex pellets (as recommended by CVA Technician via phone call).
The stock takes a bit of getting used to shooting off a bench, but is great for shooting from a 'normal' hunting position like sitting, standing, etc.
I took a nice whitetail doe during PAs early ML season.
But my true passion is the flinter. Cant wait til the primitive season comes in later this month.

Have you tried the TC shockwaves on your gun?
I'll pick up some powerbelts and try them too.

The bore of my OP is pretty snug. Sabots load too tight for me. I prefer the Powerbelts. They are a nice tight, but not too tight fit. I can fire several shots before swabbing. I have even started using them with good sucess in my green mtn. barreled flinter.