- Joined
- Sep 18, 2023
- Messages
- 70
- Reaction score
- 83
Hey folks. My name is Patrick. I retired from the USAF in 2008 and currently live in NC awaiting my next job in project management to start after muzzleloading season is done (yes, that was a strategic move on my part).
I hunted with a Hawken 50 Cal when I was in my late teens. Been a bow hunter the majority of my adulthood, until some medical issues from my time in service left me 90% disabled. Most of it is shoulder and neck. So, no more bow hunting. Got into reloading and shooting rifles a while back as therapy after losing my son on 2021. He was my hunting and fishing partner, so it is hard being solo. But he would press me to get out of the house.
This year, I decided I wanted to beat the crowd on Ft Bragg (yes, it is Liberty now, but I am not on board yet) and black powder hunt before the rifle season starts. I bought a CVA Optima V2 with the thumbhole stock in patriot brown a few weeks back. Took it out for the first time Friday and got it sighted in with 100 grains of T7 and Hornady 290 BDs. I have 3 CVA Cascade rifles and CVA did not disappoint with this one. Great trigger. Still testing and looking for a little better accuracy (2 MOA group). Also, my first time hunting Bragg, so I am virtual scouting using OnX at the same time.
I have gotten good tips from folks on Hunt Talk, but figured this is a more focused forum. I appreciate all advice from experts and I don't like drama. What works for one may not work for another. One's favorite may not be the favorite of another. I just like what works and gets the job done. Not a fanboy of brands, as I usually will not buy anything without a military discount, sale or clearance. Although, good customer service makes me a return customer.
Thanks.
I hunted with a Hawken 50 Cal when I was in my late teens. Been a bow hunter the majority of my adulthood, until some medical issues from my time in service left me 90% disabled. Most of it is shoulder and neck. So, no more bow hunting. Got into reloading and shooting rifles a while back as therapy after losing my son on 2021. He was my hunting and fishing partner, so it is hard being solo. But he would press me to get out of the house.
This year, I decided I wanted to beat the crowd on Ft Bragg (yes, it is Liberty now, but I am not on board yet) and black powder hunt before the rifle season starts. I bought a CVA Optima V2 with the thumbhole stock in patriot brown a few weeks back. Took it out for the first time Friday and got it sighted in with 100 grains of T7 and Hornady 290 BDs. I have 3 CVA Cascade rifles and CVA did not disappoint with this one. Great trigger. Still testing and looking for a little better accuracy (2 MOA group). Also, my first time hunting Bragg, so I am virtual scouting using OnX at the same time.
I have gotten good tips from folks on Hunt Talk, but figured this is a more focused forum. I appreciate all advice from experts and I don't like drama. What works for one may not work for another. One's favorite may not be the favorite of another. I just like what works and gets the job done. Not a fanboy of brands, as I usually will not buy anything without a military discount, sale or clearance. Although, good customer service makes me a return customer.
Thanks.
