I'm hanging it up..

[Bgoodman30]

Shelving my muzzleloader or selling it CVA Optima. I can't fathom how I have such bad luck. 3 mature bucks in a row now with no recovery. Not wanting to go into details but bumped one, missed one and did not mortally wound one.. (hopefully).

I don't understand how it has gotten so off went from automatic shoot and go get buck to all over place. My son shot his first buck with it in 2022 right through the heart. After that I missed one and put it on paper and its 12" high? Dialed it in and when I put it on sled this year was again 9" high? Got it back to zero but then I missed a couple coyotes? Shot paper again and almost on?

Anyways I'm beside myself I'll wait for rifle I guess..

 

[Jcalder]

Quit using a sled and buy a good scope with good rings. If it ain't staying zeroed you have an issue.

 

[deerhunter10]

Sounds like a scope and rings problem. Not a cva problem.

 

[TN Larry]

Quit using a sled and buy a good scope with good rings. If it ain't staying zeroed you have an issue.

^^^^^This.

Sounds like a scope and/or ring issue to me.

 

[Bgoodman30]

^^^^^This.

Sounds like a scope and/or ring issue to me.

Probably right. Its a Vortex diamondback and has served me well for 8 years but I believe you're right and I need to switch back to Leupold. My Leupold has held its zero on my 30-06 for 25 years.

What's wrong with the sled?

 

[Bgoodman30]

Is this a good option?

 

[Snake]

Now I have seen a gun with the rifling shot out but I doubt that's your problem...like other said your scope or mounts . My uncle had a Marlin 44 magnum that the rifling were gone in it .

 

[backyardtndeer]

Scope or mount issue.

 

[UTGrad]

Probably right. Its a Vortex diamondback and has served me well for 8 years but I believe you're right and I need to switch back to Leupold. My Leupold has held its zero on my 30-06 for 25 years.

What's wrong with the sled?

The sled doesnt allow the gun to recoil. If you are getting your zero off a sled, it's possible it isnt the same zero you will get in field positions. I like a front rest and rear bag set up when sighting in my guns. I want the rifle to recoil into my shoulder.

 

[Jcalder]

Probably right. Its a Vortex diamondback and has served me well for 8 years but I believe you're right and I need to switch back to Leupold. My Leupold has held its zero on my 30-06 for 25 years.

What's wrong with the sled?

I personally have moved away from leupold as well. The vx5 probably has the best eye box of any scope on the market. The only freedom scope I've ever looked at looked like your were looking thru a glazed donut. Absolutely horrible. Trijicon gets my money these days. The Huron would be closer to a vx3hd but it'll hold zero. I would also opt away from that durasight that comes on the cva muzzleloaders, but I don't think that's your issue. There's a reason people love vortex optics for their warranty, you'll eventually have to use it.

 

[Harold Money jr]

I have 2 of essentially the same guns. I assume accuracy is good otherwise? Mine were very fickle (10"+ groups)until I used harvester sabots. Are you sighting in with a fouled barrel and hunting with a perfectly clean gun? That will make a world of difference in 1st shot accuracy. Personally I always hunt with a prefouled barrel meaning I dry swab after every shot or two. Then reload and go hunting. My guns shoot 1-2" groups at 100yds but from first clean barrel to next shot the impact might move 6".

 

[cbhunter]

I agree with the all suggestions above
Such as scope/base/sled

Sled takes the human element out of the equation IMO
But I always kinda mentally freak out right after pulling the trigger on a deer when it's a muzzy. So many things can go wrong and too many times there is no exit and poor blood trails. I shoot barnes and they are quite effective and have helped my recoveries greatly. But with that being said, way too often do I find the bullet lodged just under the skin on opposite side with no exit. I'm talking perfect broad side double lung shots

 

[Yota]

Probably right. Its a Vortex diamondback and has served me well for 8 years but I believe you're right and I need to switch back to Leupold. My Leupold has held its zero on my 30-06 for 25 years.

What's wrong with the sled?

That scope is, IMHO, unacceptable for a heavy recoil gun like that.

Any vortex below the viper line should be judged w extreme prejudice. They have an amazing warranty for a reason.

Truly sounds like a scope/mount/rings issue.

 

[Bgoodman30]

I have 2 of essentially the same guns. I assume accuracy is good otherwise? Mine were very fickle (10"+ groups)until I used harvester sabots. Are you sighting in with a fouled barrel and hunting with a perfectly clean gun? That will make a world of difference in 1st shot accuracy. Personally I always hunt with a prefouled barrel meaning I dry swab after every shot or two. Then reload and go hunting. My guns shoot 1-2" groups at 100yds but from first clean barrel to next shot the impact might move 6".

I cleaned it very good after sighting in and after the rain first weekend of MZ. I use foaming bore cleaner, cleaned breach plug good, greased, couple dry patches, bore butter patch then shoot primer with dry patch.

 

[Bgoodman30]

I agree with the all suggestions above
Such as scope/base/sled

Sled takes the human element out of the equation IMO
But I always kinda mentally freak out right after pulling the trigger on a deer when it's a muzzy. So many things can go wrong and too many times there is no exit and poor blood trails. I shoot barnes and they are quite effective and have helped my recoveries greatly. But with that being said, way too often do I find the bullet lodged just under the skin on opposite side with no exit. I'm talking perfect broad side double lung shots

I almost never find blood with MZ but I usually find the deer within 50.

 

[Jcalder]

I cleaned it very good after sighting in and after the rain first weekend of MZ. I use foaming bore cleaner, cleaned breach plug good, greased, couple dry patches, bore butter patch then shoot primer with dry patch.

You're not describing an accuracy issue. You described a failure to maintain zero

 

[Bgoodman30]

That scope is, IMHO, unacceptable for a heavy recoil gun like that.

Any vortex below the viper line should be judged w extreme prejudice. They have an amazing warranty for a reason.

Truly sounds like a scope/mount/rings issue.

What do you recommend?

 

[Bgoodman30]

You're not describing an accuracy issue. You described a failure to maintain zero

Correct. Could be some aim issue with a little buck fever, no rest on my lock on.

 

[Yota]

Is this a good option?

Better QC and quality than your current.

VX3 HD line typically has better glass but will run a couple hundred more.

I would try that Leupy and get some good rings from Talley.

Don't throw that gun out yet. Many guns that won't shoot are just good glass and proper mounting away from success.

 

[TN Larry]

Probably right. Its a Vortex diamondback and has served me well for 8 years but I believe you're right and I need to switch back to Leupold. My Leupold has held its zero on my 30-06 for 25 years.

What's wrong with the sled?

What @UTGrad saidon the sled.

If it were me, I would take the mounts off, retighten, and change scopes.

I also like the Trijicon Huron as mentioned above.

 

[Andy S.]

Sage advice here. Don't give up on your MZer yet, new glass and rings and I think you will be well on your way to continued success. For me, a rest is almost always required if shooting beyond 50 yards. I know my limitations shooting freehand. Best of luck going forward.

 

[TN Song Dog]

Son borrowed and never been right since?
JK... New scope and you be back in business.

 

[Tn_Va_Hunter]

What powder and bullet combo are you using.

 

[Jcalder]

What powder and bullet combo are you using.

This would be my next question if you're not getting blood trails

 

[Bgoodman30]

Sage advice here. Don't give up on yor MZer yet, new glass and rings and I think you will be well on your way to continued success. For me, a rest is almost required if shooting beyond 50 yards. I know my limitations shooting freehand. Best of luck going forward.

I am thinking you're right. I get all tore up on shooter bucks and turkeys for sure.. 2 of these shots came from lock on's with no rest.

 

[Bgoodman30]

This would be my next question if you're not getting blood trails

Hornady SST , triple 7 100 gr

 

[Bgoodman30]

Son borrowed and never been right since?
JK... New scope and you be back in business.

Right even though I carried it since he was 10...

 

[251Native]

As others have said, you have a ring, scope or both issue. If your scope is a budget type or maybe has been dropped or bumped. Purchase another scope made by a reputable manufacturer. Torque the base mounts and rings to whatever spec they should be (often 30# for base and 15-20# for rings). Use a little blue loctite on them also. For the record, I've had great luck out of Burris Fullfield E 1 scopes for the money.

 

[Jcalder]

Hornady SST , triple 7 100 gr

I don't have the best opinion on the sst. I would opt for an xtp or even a Barnes, tho I don't love the Barnes as much. If you can find the Parker ballistic extreme that's what I would use if I needed to shoot further than 100 yards regularly

 

[knightrider]

My muzzleloader wears a leupold 3i 50 mm, people think its over the top for a muzzleloader until i show them 1 hole groups at a 100 and 2 inch groups at two hundred! Cant shoot what you cant see! Vortex has a great warranty because your gonna need it, get a good scope and don't look back!