CVA Optima Questions

[Savage Shooter]

Just got a hold of a barely used CVA Optima. Owner said only fired twice. It is in pristine condition. Stainless barrel and a 3x9x40 Redhead scope. It came with manuels tools etc.This is my first smokepole. Ok now to my question(s).

He gave me some 295 gr powerbelt bullets which according to some opinions are not that good. Personally I think they may be a little heavy, but I'm not sure. Als he provided me some 50gr 777 pellets unopened. Am I right in thinking that these bullets are too large? Any recommendations on powder use 100, 125gr, etc with this bullet?

I went and bought some 209 primers, breech plug grease, T handle shot starter(not sure I need it) and some Hornady 240gr xtp's. I hear that these bullets work great with 90 - 100 gr of powder or pellets. Does this sound like a good starting point?

Next is how do I go about sighting this thing in. Should I start at the 50 and get a small group and move back to the 100 or get on paper at the 50 and move back. It is already bore sighted.

Also what type of range would be considered safe. My 30-06 is good to 200yds with me. I know there are others that could hit a coke can at 350+, but that ain't me. I figure atleast until I get familiar 100yds should be about it for me.

Thanks in advance for helping out a noobie with a smokepole.

 

[Savage Shooter]

thanks for the info Deer Assassin

 

[UTGrad]

Make sure you put anti-seize on the breech plug before and after shooting!

 

[BlackBelt]

+1 on using anti-sieze on the threads of the breech plug. I have a CVA Optima Pro that I've been using for several years.
I use 295gr PowerBelts and two 50gr 777 pellets (100gr charge total). It knocks the stuffing out of deer, and the wound track is huge.
Whichever grain bullet you decide to use, just make sure you practice with it enough to be comfortable with it's trajectory.
Congrats on getting a good muzzleloader that'll give you good service.

 

[HenryCohunter]

I have the same gun and i just switched to the IMR white hots .. they are a little cleaner than 777 and seem a little stronger .. i use 2 pellets and the 250 barnes bullet .. shoots 1 inch groups at 100 yards.

 

[buckdead]

Try some hornaday XTP 240 gr or 300 gr. with 2 50 gr 777 pellets. both of those combos group prety well outta my optima and the deer dont like it at all.

 

[chunkandwind]

338gr platinum powerbelts shoot really well through my
Optima.Knocks the snot out of deer too.110gr of 777 pellets.
2x30 and 1x50gr pellets shoot 2inch groups at 100 yards.

 

[UTGrad]

Why not just shoot loose powder if you're buying two boxes of pellets

 

[Savage Shooter]

Thanks for the info ya'll.