hammerforged Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 If this needs to be moved, please do so. Just thought I would get more response in here. Well - with my birthday coming up and my wife and daughters hounding me for what I want. I have decided that with the ever increasing difficulty of finding anything for my 45 cal. Kodiak magnum, it is time to step up to a 50 cal. Muzzleloader. I thought that being able to review them at SHOT would make the decision easier - WRONG! At present I am leaning towards the CVA Optima - would welcome any thoughts and suggestions from others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 (edited) Thats the one i shoot, and i can tell you one thing for certain...you'll be splitting atoms at a 100 yds all day with a 295 grain bullet and 100 grains of powder (777 pellets). I havent practiced much beyond that, but if a shot presented itself at 150 yds, i wouldn't hesitate to aim high and squeeze one off. Great shooting, low to no recoil, consistent, affordable, and just plain fun to shoot. If i had a complaint about it, i would post it here. oh ya, it did take me a while to finally find a bullet /powder combo that performed consistently, and after trying 223 grain, 245 grain, 250 gran, 275 grain and 295 grain bullets with 100 grains of powder, it was extremely evident what works best with that rifle...295 grain powerbelt with 100 grains of 777 powder pellets. good luck in your search. dan Edited January 28, 2012 by layin on the smackdown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastTnHunter Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 you cannot go wrong with an encore, I got one for muzzy season this year and I love it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 My 15 year old grandson won a CVA Optima at our QDMA banquet last fall. We sighted it in with 245 gr. power belts and 100 gr. 777 pellets. It shoots better than any MZ I own. Great looking and handling gun. He killed his first deer the 2 nd. day of the season with it. Now it is a keepsake also. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one for myself. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Always been a TC fan here Ross, but got to admit I may end up getting us either a cva optima or an acura before this summer. Good luck with whatever you go with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted January 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Thanks everyone - Dan and Lynn have either of you tried the Blackhorn 209 in your Optimas? I have been using it in my Kodiak Magnum and it loves it, am hoping if I go with the Optima that the same will be true. I like the TCs but the sticker on the Optima might be the decider for my wife and daughters. I talked with a rep from CVA and he thinks I can get last years model Optima for a pretty good reduction over this years. I'll let you know what I decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SourthenILdeerhunter Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 i shoot a cva optima with blackhorn 209 im new to muzzleloading so i hvnt shot anything besides blackhorn 209 i have to run a swab about every 4-5 shots i pass through with a swab and its clean to go back to shooting if i can fidn a job im gonna try some diffrent powders and bullet combos once i get my scope sighted in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 (edited) I've been shopping for a new ML myself for a while. I really like the features of the Optima and it was at the top of my list. That was until I shouldered it. It did not fit me at all. Then I tried a TC Triumph. Now there is a fine shooting ML that fit me to a T. Plus nobody in the business can top TC's warantee. My dad had a problem with his 25 year old TC and they gave him a new gun without any questions. OH! And btw, I saw the Sportmans Guide had a sale on Optimas in my latest catalog. Edited January 30, 2012 by RangerClay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 I have a Remington Gensis and Traditions Tracker in 50 cal. I put a good scope on them and I can hit a quarter at 100 yards with both. I spent 99.00 for the Tracker and 150.00 (if I remember right) for the Genesis. I prefer the Genesis because it is stainless (including the bolt). This is nice when cleaning because you know when it's clean. I've never heard anyone complain that their 50 cal (regardless of brand) shot poorly. I'd suggest stainless and go for the look you like. They will all probably be tack drivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Ross Cabelas has some sales on Optimas right now too. I've got my T/C Prohunter and wouldn't trade it for anything. It's hard to agrue with the price of an Optima (or any CVA) though. A lot of your newer ML these days are super accurate with the right amount of powder. I've shot single holed sabot groups with my Prohunter. I'm with Joe though. Shoulder one first to make sure it's a good fit. I'd definitely go with Blackhorn 209. I've wanted to switch for a while now, but I can't seem to find it any where around. NY has some crazy laws about storing the stuff. Customer service is great though. I emailed Don Luhr. He answered all the questions i had and then sent me PDF'd instructions. I just wish I could get the stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmoss Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 TC hands down in the ML class if the Encore is a bit pricey for you and you dont want the option of other barells than look at the Omega or Triumph by far the best ML out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Thanks everyone - Dan and Lynn have either of you tried the Blackhorn 209 in your Optimas? I have been using it in my Kodiak Magnum and it loves it, am hoping if I go with the Optima that the same will be true. I like the TCs but the sticker on the Optima might be the decider for my wife and daughters. I talked with a rep from CVA and he thinks I can get last years model Optima for a pretty good reduction over this years. I'll let you know what I decide. Nope, I havent tried the black horn 209; but after reading this, i am definitely going to give it a whirl. I honestly don't think ive even seen it on a shelf at any of the local stores around here. What are its pros? does it burn cleaner? Im all for something a little cleaner than 777 pellets. Thanks for the heads up, and keep us posted on your new toy! dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 Nope, I havent tried the black horn 209; but after reading this, i am definitely going to give it a whirl. I honestly don't think ive even seen it on a shelf at any of the local stores around here. What are its pros? does it burn cleaner? Im all for something a little cleaner than 777 pellets. Thanks for the heads up, and keep us posted on your new toy! dan dan you clean it out with normal solvents, but it's way cleaner and better yet, the least corrosive stuff out there. accuracy is awesome too from what i've heard from others that use it. problem is like i said i can't find it anywhere around here either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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