Webber Report post Posted April 7, 2009 I bought a CVA optima 209 today can any of u give me some tips on what powder and bullets to use? Also i was reading some reviews on using 3 pellets or 2 and it said no to use 3 pellets at 150 grain that it was to much for the gun. thanks for the help Daniel Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KGAINES Report post Posted April 7, 2009 What is the barrel length, is it a magnum barrel, what is the caliber? I am not real sure I will be able to help you out, but that info might help come up with some answers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kilimanjaro Report post Posted April 7, 2009 I am in the process of breaking in a new muzzleloader and I was given the advise of starting with 80 grains of powder to start the gun off with.. Then move up in 20 to 30 grain incraments til you figure out what your gun shoots the best.. While breaking in/ testing various powder, shoot a variety of diff weight bullets as well.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Webber Report post Posted April 8, 2009 What is the barrel length, is it a magnum barrel, what is the caliber? I am not real sure I will be able to help you out, but that info might help come up with some answers. It is a magnum barrel 26in 50 cal. tanks for the help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunter4life Report post Posted April 8, 2009 Muzzleloaders can be finicky about what bullets and powders they shoot well. My brother had a TC omega that would only shoot black powder and maxi-balls with any accuracy. It would spread sabots with pyrodex or 777 all over the paper. He returned it to the company and got a new barrel and it now shoots 777 and TC shockwave sabots well. I shoot a .45 cal Knight and have been using 777 pellets. I started out using 2 50 grain pellets and then moved up to 3 pellets. I found that this barely flattened the trajectory and that the accuracy was slightly worse, so I have since gone back to 2 pellets and this seems to work just fine. I have had good luck with the Hornady SST sabots on deer and elk. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KGAINES Report post Posted April 9, 2009 It looks like you got some good advice on where to start, I never go over 120 grains with mine, and it is a .54. Shoot the heck out of it and you will probably find it works best around 100 grains, you can also go to the cva website and send them your question on max loads. Good Luck and have fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobbyo Report post Posted April 9, 2009 Webber, I have that exact same gun. You can use 150 grain in pellets, but only 120 grain in loose powder. Why? you might ask. Well it is great American marketing. The so called 150 grain in pellets are really only 120 grains of Pyro or 777. It is really only 150 grain Black powder equivalent. I use 100 grain loose which is equal to 125 grain in pellet. Confused? Dont worry about it. If you use pellets 3 pellets equaling 50 grains is your max. (a real big boom and kick). If you use loose powder 120 grain max. Hopefully your gun is not as finicky as mine. It will only shoot Nosler sabots well. I know Nosler probably does not make them, but I can't figure out who they contract with. So I try to find Nosler sabots. (beige color). Not easy. I will try to find web site I got mine. Look at the post That Tam has on here to see what works with my gun. My set up. Nosler sabots hornaday xtp 265 grain. 100 grain 777 loose. CLP oil 410 gauge, primer Clean with 50% mixture of windex and water. I do not use bore butter! I have tried to get the faster SST'S to work, but my gun just likes the slower xtp's. Have used all forms of power belts ect. Gun just likes those sabots and xtps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
