New CVA Optima LR

[Henry347]

Just picked up a new smoke pole for muzzleloader this year. Was in Jamestown the other day and seen they had the CVA Optima V2 LR. Hadn't seen the model with the veil camo and thumbhole stock so I had to have it. It comes with the KonusPro scope in 3-9X40, very good glass and eye relief for a budget scope. 

Picked up some 777 pellets, federal primers and some Traditions Smackdown 250gr bullets for sight in. I've always used the Hornady XTP but didn't have no more on hand but got some coming in the mail.

So far very pleased with the gun. Here's the first 4 shots outta the gun at 75yds, it grouped those Traditions bullet's pretty good, under 1in at 75yds. All my other CVA guns like the Hornday XTP so I'm going to assume this one will also. But I've never tried the Traditions Smackdown Carnivores before so might give them a try this season. 

[KahrMan]

That is great grouping for a muzzle loader.  Nice!

[Henry347]

9 minutes ago, KahrMan said:

That is great grouping for a muzzle loader.  Nice!

Yea it sure surprised me with pellets, my wolf wont group like that but it's been a dang good gun. Took it's fair share of deer and hogs but gotta say liking the Optima.

[Quavodus]

That's shooting pretty good

[gregintenn]

Good shootin’!

[DL126]

My wife decided she wants to hunt this year so we bought her a new CVA Wolf.
It shoots where you point well enough I guess.

I've noticed that after a few shots, a ring of powder builds up on the inside of the bore just above the breech plug.
I have to remove the breech plug, and use a cleaning jag/patch to "bust" that ring outta there.
I was wondering if either of your CVA's do that.

We've used only 777 pellets and TC bullets that you mention above.

[KahrMan]

I will get  build up there in my TC Encore but i do not have to "bust" that ring.  It has never built up that much.  I have figured out that a 28 ga bore snake works in a .50 cal muzzle loader.  A good amount of solvent and a couple passes of the bore snake cleans it up for me.

[DL126]

21 hours ago, KahrMan said:

I will get  build up there in my TC Encore but i do not have to "bust" that ring.  It has never built up that much.  I have figured out that a 28 ga bore snake works in a .50 cal muzzle loader.  A good amount of solvent and a couple passes of the bore snake cleans it up for me.

Thanks for the info.

In our case, this happens with less than 5 shots.
It happened twice while sighting in the rifle over the course of like 8 shots.
It might not matter ... I dunno if the pellets actually seat inside that ring, or if they rest on top of it.
If they rest on top, then the gap between the pellets and breech plug is widening every time it gets loaded.

I suppose it's irrelevant in the overall scheme of things.
She has already said that she wants to get a different rifle if she continues to hunt.
She wants a Knight. 

ETA ... Good group Henry347. Sorry for the hijack.

Edited November 13, 2020 by DL126

[gregintenn]

2 hours ago, DL126 said:

Thanks for the info.

In our case, this happens with less than 5 shots.
It happened twice while sighting in the rifle over the course of like 8 shots.
It might not matter ... I dunno if the pellets actually seat inside that ring, or if they rest on top of it.
If they rest on top, then the gap between the pellets and breech plug is widening every time it gets loaded.

I suppose it's irrelevant in the overall scheme of things.
She has already said that she wants to get a different rifle if she continues to hunt.
She wants a Knight. 

ETA ... Good group Henry347. Sorry for the hijack.

My kid sold a Knight to buy a Wolf. Lighter and easier cleaning.

[Henry347]

I think they all get the powder ring with pellets. After about 5 shots in mine you can tell a difference in loading but it's not horrible to load. About every blackpowder rifle I've owned will not group with a clean bore, the first and second shots will usually be left or right a few inches. Then the 3rd-5th shot is right on the money.

I wont even sight one in until the 3rd shot because that's when I'll get my best groupings. But make sure to get that bullet seated all the way; even if it's a struggle. I'll always take note or mark where the bullet is fully seated on a clean bore.

Loose powder like blackhorn 209 is alot cleaner burning and you dont get that powder ring. But I like being able to drop the pellets in and go on about my business. 

Have you tried the power belts bullets? I don't care much for them but they are easier to load than the sabots.

Edited November 15, 2020 by Henry347

[DL126]

Never tried the Power Belts.
I bought 2 boxes of the Barnes Spitfire TMZ bullets from Knight several years ago and have been using them ever since.

The Wolf came with some of the PB's but I think they were 300 grains.
So we picked up some of the TC spire points since I was a bit low on the Barnes and we couldn't find anything else because it was so close to opening day.

I have a couple more boxes of the Spitfires ordered and we'll try those once they come in.

P.S. The wife got her first deer yesterday morning.
Spike on one side, broken off on the other.
But to listen to her, you'd swear it was one for the record books!
It was awesome. 

Edited November 15, 2020 by DL126

[gregintenn]

Power belts, in my experience, are accurate and easy to load, but their performance on game is somewhat lackluster. I still use them just because they are accurate and handy.

Congratulations to your wife.

My wife has a shoulder mount of a spike. She’s not really a hunter, but went out and killed this deer just to show her older brother she could. She had it mounted so he wouldn’t forget. LOL 

Edited November 15, 2020 by gregintenn