CVA Optima v2

[UpperTully]

I picked up a CVA Optima v2 the other day. Could anyone share any pointers on load data combinations?
I'm also having a hard time understanding the advantages to the Blackhorn 209 breech plug vs the standard breech plug.

 

[TNReb]

The BH209 plug has a larger hole .. its sort of hollowed out.. that allows the powder to sit closer to the primer for ignition and doesn't foul/clog as much. You can use the factory plug but you may find that you have to check/clean/clear it more often.

I don't shoot any fancy load... 105g BH209 (by volume) with a 300g Hornady SST. Shoots plenty good enough for me and I've never had a problem with that bullet on a deer. I'm not saying it's the best - it just works good enough for me.

Edit: I snapped a quick picture to show you the difference in the plugs. The BH209 plug is on the left. (and yes, they're a little dirty)

 

[backwoods7]

in Mine im shooting a 300gr SST and 110gr Loose 777 with factory plug. It shoots really well. Only shot 1 deer with this gun/load but was impressed with its performance. I am planning on buying the BH Plug because with loose powder the factory BP will sometimes get plugged for your 2nd shot.

 

[Andy S.]

... 105g BH209 (by volume) with a 300g Hornady SST.

x2, BH powder is your friend. It is the only thing I would shoot if I did not shoot smokeless powder in my Savage. Good luck with your choice.

 

[slinger]

Shooting Blackhorn makes it so that my muzzleloader is the easiest gun I have to clean.

 

[UpperTully]

Thanks for the explanations. I was shooting the SST's in my Knight and they did really well, I guess I will stick with the ones I already have.

Question about BH209, what is so special about the powder? I've never tried it.

 

[TNReb]

Question about BH209, what is so special about the powder? I've never tried it.

It's much cleaner than regular black powder. You can shoot multiple shots without having to worry about cleaning the barrel each time. I would advise at least swabbing the barrel when sighting in. It's much easier to clean your gun than black powder.

I've heard people say it's more consistent than black powder, but I'm just trying to kill a deer, not get sub-MOA groups from a mz.

 

[Wobblyshot1]

IMHO BH209 is a form of smokeless powder. I have no clue how Western Powder was able to get it classed as a black powder substitute. I have never used it but for the most part those who do seem to like it. Below is a link to a discussion about it:

http://www.modernmuzzleloader.com/forum ... 13&t=18128

 

[UpperTully]

Does it blow as much smoke as other powers?

 

[iowavf]

Does it blow as much smoke as other powers?

I'd say about half of what I use to see from using 777.

 

[GMB54]

I have no clue how Western Powder was able to get it classed as a black powder substitute.

Its not hard to understand really. BH209 creates a similar or even lower peak pressure as other subs with an equal volume of powder. 150gr by volume and a 250gr bullet makes under 30kpsi peak pressure. A 350gr bullet and 120gr of BH209 by volume makes well under 28kspi.

All subs make quite a bit more peak pressure than real black powder. I would be far more concerned about using 3 pellets and the potential 35Kpsi+ peak pressure they can easily produce. Crush just one T7 pellet in a 3 pellet load and pressure can get into the 40kpsi range. You would have one hell of a time making that kind of peak pressure with BH209 unless you made a huge loading mistake.

 

[Wobblyshot1]

Maybe I should have said BH209 is a black powder substitute that is as close to a smokeless powder you can get without it being classed as smokeless. U.S.D.O.T. classes it as US/UN PROPELLANT, SOLID, UN0499 while smokeless powder is POWDER, SMOKELESS, UN0161. My personal opinion was based on it being manufactured using nitrated esters as it's major ingredient. After all, it looks like smokeless, smells like smokeless, and cleans up with smokeless solvents. I think Western has done wonders with getting that pressure thingy under control so it can be used in "some" muzzle loaders. It's even found a following for shooters in old black powder rounds such as 45-70 among others. I cant use it because I'm pretty much shooting traditional side locks and such.

You would have one hell of a time making that kind of peak pressure with BH209 unless you made a huge loading mistake.

This got me to thinking. In my many years of shooting muzzle loaders with black powder, I've seen occasions where someone has accidently double powdered their gun with black powder. At all times the results was a big boom, a lot of smoke, surprise and maybe a bruised shoulder. This might be the huge mistake you are talking about and I could see it possibly happening with BH209. I know under idea conditions BH209 has very acceptable pressures but do you have any data or experience on excessive charges such as what I mentioned? I was just wondering if it, maybe or not, would have dangerous pressure spikes under these not so normal situations.

 

[FrontierGander]

doubt it, bh209 creates less pressure than T7.

 

[GMB54]

U.S.D.O.T. classes it as US/UN PROPELLANT, SOLID, UN0499 while smokeless powder is POWDER, SMOKELESS, UN0161

Now that is a very good question.

I dont have any data about an over charge but you could call Western. They have been very open about talking about it in the past. I do know Bob Parker of Parker Productions has fired at least 180gr by volume of BH209 in his custom built Ultimate Muzzleloader with no damage. That kind of load though is very hard on breach plugs.

There is this trace from Dougs using a RSI strain gauge and a 45cal Pacnor barrel on a converted MLII. As you can see the pressure is very reasonable but i surely would not use this load in the vast majority of factory built MLs. A very similar load was/is used by Bestill in his custom builds at several Friendship matches

 

[UpperTully]

Thanks for the good info guys. I'm going to pick up some BH209 and try it out this year.

 

[wsm]

I think you will be glad you did ,love bh209.

 

[UpperTully]

I bought a breech plug, just got to pick up some BH209 and find the time to go play. Thanks for all of ya'lls help guys.

 

[TNReb]

I bought a breech plug, just got to pick up some BH209 and find the time to go play. Thanks for all of ya'lls help guys.

Nice! Plenty of time to get tuned up before the season opens. I need to put some rounds through mine and make sure it's good to go. I think REN borrowed it once last year, so he probably banged it around and knocked the scope off zero. :D

 

[eightpointer]

Im thinking of getting a CVA optima V2 for my Son. Are yall pleased with this gun? Those who have it anyway.

 

[MickThompson]

Does it blow as much smoke as other powers?

Not even close. I killed 2 does at 130 yards with it last year and watched them kick and drop through the scope.

 

[jm1981]

Im thinking of getting a CVA optima V2 for my Son. Are yall pleased with this gun? Those who have it anyway.

I really like mine. By far the best muzzleloader that I have owned.

 

[UpperTully]

Does it blow as much smoke as other powers?

Not even close. I killed 2 does at 130 yards with it last year and watched them kick and drop through the scope.

That's what I like to hear!

 

[backwoods7]

Im thinking of getting a CVA optima V2 for my Son. Are yall pleased with this gun? Those who have it anyway.

I really like my optima V2, Shoots well and balances great. I had something happen to my trigger and sent it to CVA They had the gun back to me in 15days working good as new. I highly reccomend this rifle

 

[BAMA BOW MERKER]

Love mine. Got it last year. 4 for 4

 

[Headhunter]

Does it blow as much smoke as other powers?

It smokes, not much different than any other blackpowder, but it is for sure accurate.

 

[psubuzz]

I've had mine for 4 or 5 years, shot it during gun season in MD (rifles aren't allowed in county I hunted). I shot at least a dozen deer with it. Never had to look farther than 75 yards for a deer, and most dropped in their tracks. I did have a misfire last year on a yote, but I blame that on old powder and primers

 

[Jcalder]

Im thinking of getting a CVA optima V2 for my Son. Are yall pleased with this gun? Those who have it anyway.

I replaced a knight disc extreme with one. It's not a knight. But definitely easier to take apart and clean.


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[Fulldraw61]

100 grains blackhorn 209 propellant with Hornady SST 250 grain bullets and CCI magnum shotgun primers. You will have a flat shooting deerslayer easy to liad and clean. I have shot 20 rounds without cleaning barrel and groups touching at 100 yards. I tried a lot of combinations and this works great im my optima and accura

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[GMB54]

Im thinking of getting a CVA optima V2 for my Son. Are yall pleased with this gun? Those who have it anyway.

I replaced a knight disc extreme with one. It's not a knight. But definitely easier to take apart and clean.


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How is it easier to take a apart than a Knight? Only takes 1 allen wrench including trigger and the bolt is tooless. The CVA requires a tool to remove the firing pin and taking the trigger assembly out would be a bear. So the Knight plug needs a tool and the CVA doesn't. Seems like a wash to me as far as easier to take apart.

My Knights with a bare primer plug stay as clean or cleaner than the Accura i owned so i really cant agree at all.

 

[Jcalder]

Im thinking of getting a CVA optima V2 for my Son. Are yall pleased with this gun? Those who have it anyway.

I replaced a knight disc extreme with one. It's not a knight. But definitely easier to take apart and clean.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How is it easier to take a apart than a Knight? Only takes 1 allen wrench including trigger and the bolt is tooless. The CVA requires a tool to remove the firing pin and taking the trigger assembly out would be a bear. So the Knight plug needs a tool and the CVA doesn't. Seems like a wash to me as far as easier to take apart.

My Knights with a bare primer plug stay as clean or cleaner than the Accura i owned so i really cant agree at all.

I found it extremely easier for myself. I'm sure everyone doesn't feel that way. But if I need to do a quick clean I pop the barrel open and breach plug is out in.


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