CVA Optima Magnum .45 cal load help!

[Lnewton]

Picked this up a couple of months ago to try my hand at muzzle loading. So far I have only shot 8 rounds through it. 3 powerbelt 295 ELRs with 110 grain by weight of 777. I have also shot 5 Hornady 200s with the same 110 grain by weight 777. Shot OK, like 2" at 50 yards with both loads but 100 yards was all over. This rifle is set up with open sights for a New Mexico Mule Deer hunt so I have that to contend with as well. Any load data with 777 only would be appreciated. .45 projectiles are not very available either. The ELRs are at my local academy but had to get the hornadys at scheels 2&1/2 hours away. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

Can you use sabots?

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

With my cva optima, I did reverse powder charge test.

So say for you, start at 110 grains and drop down 2 grains at a time. Shoot it at 100 yards or even further.

You will see a node form where the bullets start hitting together for a few grains then spread out again. Load the middle and should be pretty decent.

 

[Lnewton]

Can you use sabots?

Yes, can use sabots

 

[Lnewton]

With my cva optima, I did reverse powder charge test.

So say for you, start at 110 grains and drop down 2 grains at a time. Shoot it at 100 yards or even further.

You will see a node form where the bullets start hitting together for a few grains then spread out again. Load the middle and should be pretty decent.

Do you weigh your powder or measure volume?

 

[Lnewton]

With my cva optima, I did reverse powder charge test.

So say for you, start at 110 grains and drop down 2 grains at a time. Shoot it at 100 yards or even further.

You will see a node form where the bullets start hitting together for a few grains then spread out again. Load the middle and should be pretty decent.

I was thinking of starting at 90 next range day and work up by 5's hoping to find the middle. I will try the 2 grain adjustment though. Just need a solid 200 yard shooter for this deer hunt. Going to put a williams peep set up on it once I get a load figured out.

 

[Ross1147]

I have a cva optima elite and only bullet I could get it to shoot was the Hornady 250 SST. I tried knight, Barnes, powerbelt, and traditions bullets. Different weights / different charges. Only one I could get it to shoot at a MOA was the 250 SST. All others were like 6-8" groups at 100 yds. 16 years later it still only shoots that bullet. Never taken it to 200 yds, but killed a buck this year at 130 yds. Only had a neck shot and dropped him in is tracks.

 

[Lnewton]

I have a cva optima elite and only bullet I could get it to shoot was the Hornady 250 SST. I tried knight, Barnes, powerbelt, and traditions bullets. Different weights / different charges. Only one I could get it to shoot at a MOA was the 250 SST. All others were like 6-8" groups at 100 yds. 16 years later it still only shoots that bullet. Never taken it to 200 yds, but killed a buck this year at 130 yds. Only had a neck shot and dropped him in is tracks.

what powder load?

 

[Ross1147]

I've been running 100 by volume of 777, but it shot the same with 150. Just using 2 pellets instead of 3 because most my shots are under 100 yds. Not sure what that equates to to weight? I have a few bottles of BH209 I should dust off and try using in it to see how it shoots.

 

[Lnewton]

I have thought about the pellets for ease of use. I just can't make myself pay 80.00 for 8 ounces of BH209!

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

Yes, can use sabots

I would try some harvester sabots. I have a 50 cal and use hornady sst bullets. The harvester sabots were more accuate.

 

[Tracker12]

I was thinking of starting at 90 next range day and work up by 5's hoping to find the middle. I will try the 2 grain adjustment though. Just need a solid 200 yard shooter for this deer hunt. Going to put a williams peep set up on it once I get a load figured out.

If you are doing weight start at 65 grains by weight. and move up 5 at a time. My Knight UL likes 70 grains weight (100 volume) I am using Lehiight Defense 265 and they touch at 100 yards. You don't need a supper hot load to kill a deer.

 

[Peddler 76]

BH209! End of story.