- Joined
- Nov 20, 2017
- Messages
- 51
- Reaction score
- 3
Good Afternoon Folks,
I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I bought a CVA 50 cal Optimav2. Haven't fired it yet (maybe today, but tomorrow for sure). Lots to read and learn about and, as with my other firearms and reloading boards, lots of varying opinions. I thought I might take you all along on my journey and solicit feedback along the way. I will offer things I have done or bought, and my rationale behind it. Then, let the conversation begin. Sorry I don't have a campfire to sit around.
When I bought the Optima, the salesman said he used only White Hot pellets and Powerbelt bullets. Sounded good to me so that's what I bought. I saw how much into White Hots CVA is, so I figured I must be doing OK. I was a little dismayed to see how much negative information there was regarding these. One of the things that caught my eye was the consistent lack of pass-through and blood trail. I was thinking it must be a small percentage, but then I watched a YouTube video review of Powerbelts and the guy hit a doe at like 80 yards and the bullet was resting against the inside of the hide. That confirmed what I had read (although he still harvested the doe).
One of the loads I will test is 2 White Hot pellets and the Powerbelt. I'm sure it will print well on paper, but now I have concerns about its performance in the field. My shots will likely be 100 yards or less.
I also found a nice deal on Hornady Great Plains Muzzleloading bullets in 385 gr. I like the idea of full size conical bullets. They seem to have a following but I'm not sure if I am confusing rifled with smooth bore muzzleloaders. Please let me know if I am on the right track here. My big question for this would be in whether or not these type bullets have a tendency to lead the barrel. If they are OK, I can cast my own down the road.
I also bought some Harvester Crush Rib sabots and some Hornady XTP 300 gr .452 bullets. I already had the 250 grain ones from loading 45 Colt. My main concern here is in the plastic fouling and if it is an issue. I'm guessing it's not because this combo seems to be very popular.
Then I went and got some #40 Drill Cloth and Pillow Ticking at Joann Fabrics to make patches for the round balls I wanted to try out. The patch lube I am starting with is a 5:1 Denatured Alcohol/Castor Oil mix. I read on one of the threads about a gentleman who started using this and swore off Murphy's and Ballistol mixes completely. If you have tried this, please let me know how it went. I figured I had to start somewhere. I do recognize that accuracy may be lagging in the PRB department, but my plan is to start with one White Hot pellet. Of course, this led me to start thinking about loose powders and, before I knew it, I had a jug of Blackhorn 209 in hand and the BH 209 Breech Plug ordered. Also thinking I might pick up a jug of Triple Seven just to see how much I can dial this in. (On a side note, it took me 2 days to figure out that T7 was the Triple Seven. I can really be an idiot sometimes). My main reason for wanting to work up a good round ball combo is for cost and small game opportunities.
I have also bought some of the extras like a range rod, powder tubes, starter, powder measure, and flask.
Another question I had, just to make sure I'm not blowing myself up, is if all powders are measured the same way, by volume? To be more specific, is 90 gr of powder the same, regardless of product. I'm pretty sure it is, and I couldn't find anything to the contrary. Just wanted to double check to make sure that different powders didn't have different measures specific to their own density.
While we are on the subject, I also wanted to confirm that measured powder is accurate when it is first poured, and not as it settles.
Season starts next Friday and goes through the 31st of December so I have time to fine tune this. Buck tags are hard to come by so it will just be me and the ladies this first time out.
Sorry for the novel, but lots of options and opinions. I get that the best combo will be the one my Optima shoots well, but your experiences also help me understand and, let's face it, it's fun talking about this stuff. I try telling my wife, but she just doesn't seem real interested....except my mother-in-law thought it was a hoot going to the fabric store with me.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I bought a CVA 50 cal Optimav2. Haven't fired it yet (maybe today, but tomorrow for sure). Lots to read and learn about and, as with my other firearms and reloading boards, lots of varying opinions. I thought I might take you all along on my journey and solicit feedback along the way. I will offer things I have done or bought, and my rationale behind it. Then, let the conversation begin. Sorry I don't have a campfire to sit around.
When I bought the Optima, the salesman said he used only White Hot pellets and Powerbelt bullets. Sounded good to me so that's what I bought. I saw how much into White Hots CVA is, so I figured I must be doing OK. I was a little dismayed to see how much negative information there was regarding these. One of the things that caught my eye was the consistent lack of pass-through and blood trail. I was thinking it must be a small percentage, but then I watched a YouTube video review of Powerbelts and the guy hit a doe at like 80 yards and the bullet was resting against the inside of the hide. That confirmed what I had read (although he still harvested the doe).
One of the loads I will test is 2 White Hot pellets and the Powerbelt. I'm sure it will print well on paper, but now I have concerns about its performance in the field. My shots will likely be 100 yards or less.
I also found a nice deal on Hornady Great Plains Muzzleloading bullets in 385 gr. I like the idea of full size conical bullets. They seem to have a following but I'm not sure if I am confusing rifled with smooth bore muzzleloaders. Please let me know if I am on the right track here. My big question for this would be in whether or not these type bullets have a tendency to lead the barrel. If they are OK, I can cast my own down the road.
I also bought some Harvester Crush Rib sabots and some Hornady XTP 300 gr .452 bullets. I already had the 250 grain ones from loading 45 Colt. My main concern here is in the plastic fouling and if it is an issue. I'm guessing it's not because this combo seems to be very popular.
Then I went and got some #40 Drill Cloth and Pillow Ticking at Joann Fabrics to make patches for the round balls I wanted to try out. The patch lube I am starting with is a 5:1 Denatured Alcohol/Castor Oil mix. I read on one of the threads about a gentleman who started using this and swore off Murphy's and Ballistol mixes completely. If you have tried this, please let me know how it went. I figured I had to start somewhere. I do recognize that accuracy may be lagging in the PRB department, but my plan is to start with one White Hot pellet. Of course, this led me to start thinking about loose powders and, before I knew it, I had a jug of Blackhorn 209 in hand and the BH 209 Breech Plug ordered. Also thinking I might pick up a jug of Triple Seven just to see how much I can dial this in. (On a side note, it took me 2 days to figure out that T7 was the Triple Seven. I can really be an idiot sometimes). My main reason for wanting to work up a good round ball combo is for cost and small game opportunities.
I have also bought some of the extras like a range rod, powder tubes, starter, powder measure, and flask.
Another question I had, just to make sure I'm not blowing myself up, is if all powders are measured the same way, by volume? To be more specific, is 90 gr of powder the same, regardless of product. I'm pretty sure it is, and I couldn't find anything to the contrary. Just wanted to double check to make sure that different powders didn't have different measures specific to their own density.
While we are on the subject, I also wanted to confirm that measured powder is accurate when it is first poured, and not as it settles.
Season starts next Friday and goes through the 31st of December so I have time to fine tune this. Buck tags are hard to come by so it will just be me and the ladies this first time out.
Sorry for the novel, but lots of options and opinions. I get that the best combo will be the one my Optima shoots well, but your experiences also help me understand and, let's face it, it's fun talking about this stuff. I try telling my wife, but she just doesn't seem real interested....except my mother-in-law thought it was a hoot going to the fabric store with me.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.