I got a new CVA Optima Pro this year. Does anyone know a good powder and bullet combination for this gun? I'm currently shooting Hodges Triple 7 powder, 100 grains with a 295 grain Powerbelt bullet. Accuracy is terrible from a rest, cleaning every 6 shots or so.

Would Sabot's be the way to go, and/or bumbing up the powder to 150 grains? I've heard that some can shoot accurately out to 200 yards, but I couldn't hit a house as present from that distance.

Thanks for any help in advance!

wizard, first off if your using 100 gr loose T7 keep in mind it is approx. 15% hotter than pyrodex loose, so don't go much above 120 gr or you may have some problems. If pellets then you can safely use 150 gr as it is diluted to be the same charge as pyrodex. Personally I have found my accuracy dwindles with nearing max powder charges not gets better!

Second I would swab between each shot just to see if this does anything. A windex/alcohol (50/50) mixture works real well. Run a few damp patches down with your jag then follow behind with couple of dry patches. Make sure to use short strokes to ensure the ramrod doesn't get stuck!!!

You may also want to try vary your load(charge) if using loose powder try 80 gr and go up by 5's. Next would be to try other bullets - sabots, etc. I have had excellent results in terms of accuracy with Hornady 240 XTPs and 250 SST, behind a number of charges (my current load is 100 T7 Loose with 250 SST, it will print snowmen all day long at 100 yards out of my Rem 700MLS - 100 gr pellets produces the same accuracy just a slightly lower POI!)

Unfortunately what may work for me or others may not for you, you'll just have to T&E till you find the sweet spot. I may suggest if you haven't already to post in the ML forum further down the page, I am sure their are others with the same model and they may be able to narrow your choices some.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the help Skeeter. It frustrating to put all the time in the woods scouting and preparing for that one shot, then not having confidence when the time comes. I'll be doing a ton of shooting in the off season to prepare.

I do wonder why my ram rod is so short on my Optima Pro. When loaded, about 1/2 inch of the rod is sticking out the top of the barrel. So I guess I just don't get the first few inches cleaned when I swab? That's good advice too. Thanks again...

Wizard, buy yourself a 1-piece range rod, that will eliminate the ramrod problem and it works great for regular cleaning as well.

PS get one with the Power T Handle, gives you more leverage in the event of a tight bore fit.