I was in a store the other day and I saw a CVA .50 caliber Optima with the stainless barrel, and fluted, fiber optic sights, brand new for $209.00. And darn if that rifle did not follow me home. I threw a cheap $19.99 Simmons ProSport 4x32mm scope on it, and some weaver bases. It shot OK for its first time out, but nothing to write home about. The scope and mounts have to go. So I am going to order the one piece DuraSight base/ring combination and I ordered two of the Cabela's 3-9x40mm Muzzleloader scopes that are on sale. One will go in here. So it should make a nice rifle.

If any of you have the rifle and have a good load worked up. I would sure like to hear about it. I have most any powder and bullet you might mention, somewhere in my collection.

Thanks



This is the rifle with the Simmons Scope. Notice because of the weaver bases there is no room to adjust the scope forward and back to make it set to the eye. One reason it has to go.



This was after shooting 13 shots. Notice.. no blow back from the Quick Release breech plug. I was shooting Pyrodex RS and BlackHorn 209 to see how it would do.



These are spent primers. Notice the pristine condition of them. Again, no blow back through the breech plug. Very impressed with this. Just open the rifle, tip the muzzle up in the air, and these things fall right back out.



I at first started shooting with open sights. And then noticed that the green fiber optics were gone. Also noticed the back sight had fallen off. I guess I should have checked it. So I went in and threw the scope on. And shot a little more.

It started to group with 80 grains of Pyrodex RS and some 348 grain Aero Tip Powerbelts.



So with the scope somewhat set, I moved the target out to 50 yards and shot at the picture of the BlackHorn 209 powder container. The top hit was with 80 grains of Pyrodex RS. The bottom was with BlackHorn 209.

This was not an accuracy test as much as it was a chance for me to evaluate the workings of the rifle. I think with a good mount and scope, and the right load, this should make a fine shooting rifle.

My buddy at work has the exact same gun. He shot it at my house. The only issues he has had is the primer backs out a little keeping the gun from breaking down. He has to mess with it to get it to break open. It does not happen all the time. Just every once in a while.

He is shooting CCI primers.

Darin

I was shooting Winchester W 209 and had no problems at all with them backing out.

I have the same rifle with a redfield 3x9 mounted on it. My hunting load is 100 grain BH209 with a 300 grain 45cal XTP in a hornady black sabot and a cci209m primer. This load at 100 yards will group right around 1 1/2 off the bench.
Your breech plug, is the face of it where the powder sits dished out or is it the BH 209 breech plug with a hole drilled about the size of a pencil ? I had to get the BH 209 breech plug for mine I was getting hang fires when I shot it in the winter. Other than that I really like the gun
Justin

It came with the breech plug made to shoot pellets. So I purchased the BlackHorn 209 breech plug that is dished out, for shooting loose powder. And so far, shooting Remington STS primers the ignition has been flawless.

The other day I was shooting 90 grains of BlackHorn 209 and a 300 grain Hornady XTP and it was shooting about a 2 inch group at 100 yards which for me is a good day. I have no doubt as to the quality of the rifle and how well it will shoot. Good luck this year.

typical for the loose head space cva allows. That primer basically gets launched back into the firing pin housing and gets caught up in the slot.
Ganders Muzzle Loading Blog: CVA Headspace Adjustment Shims

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Frontier Muzzleloading

I also have an Optima and love it. Scope is Bushnell 1.5X to 4.5X.

My hunting load:

- 110 grains 777
- Harvester crusher sabot cup
- 270 grain (.429) bullet by Speer
- Remington 209 primer for muzzleloaders

Accurate, hard hitting, and 100% penetration on broadside shots. Recoil seems very moderate to me.

TR

Thanks for the heads up. I have some of them Speer in stock and will give that exact load a try in my rifle to see how they do. Speer is a very good bullet.