I’ve tried the following:
- 100 grains of white hots with the 250 grain powerbelt aerolites
- 80 , 90 and 100 grains by volume of blackhorn 209 w/ barnes TMZ 250 grains
I’m 100% sure scope base is tight, to 20 inch pounds with red 272 loctite. Rings were torqued to 15 inch pounds. No cross bolts as it is the CVA branded scope mount. Scope was a Leupold VX Muzzleloader 3-9x40. I have a scope tracking tool so I can also eliminate that it is the scope not adjusting properly.
Perhaps with heavier bullets (what CVA recommended when I talked to them) it would group better.
I cleaned between shots with Montana Extremes blackhorn 209 solution. Cleaned the break plug with a drill bit and some pretty abrasive pipe cleaners I have.
I started with 300 grain XTPs in the 45 cal with black Harvester sabots and 100 volume grains of BH209. I had 1.25" to 1.50" grouping at 100 yards. I moved up to 110 volume grains of 209 powder and nothing changed but the recoil. Staying at the 110 volume grains I tried the .44 cal XTPs in 300 grain with a green Harvester and the group came down to about an inch at 100. But the recoil was still there. My next move was to the 250 grain .45 cal XTP in a black sabot, staying with the 110 volume grain charge and the recoil was less and the group actually tightened down even a bit more. I shot several deer with the last load combo but then decided to try the copper Barnes and now shoot/hunt the 250 grain , .45 cal XPB with the same 110 grain by volume charge and black sabot easily into a group about 7/8" at 100 yards if I do my part. You have about $200.00 more scope than I have on my gun, but mine works just fine with the Accura V2 and honestly I have no intention of changing a thing. I do not believe I can get it or myself any more accurate and the recoil is very manageable both off a bench and off-hand.
My Optima V2 pistol was started on .45 cal XTP bullets at 250 grain and charge weight was worked up 5 grains at a time from 75 by volume to the current 90 and I had reasonable accuracy. I tried a .44 cal 240grain XTP, again working the load level up by 5 grains at a time from 75 to 90 with green sabots. The straight green sabots were a little tough loading so I switched to crush ribs and not only was loading easier but the groups at 50 yards were right down there with what I got with the Accura rifle. Switching to Barnes XPBs in .44 cal in the pistol using the 90 grain charge still provides the same level of accuracy.
Bottom line is that one has to shoot different bullet weights, different calibers and with differing load levels to ferret out which is the most accurate and comfortable to shoot. Sabots can make a difference between brands and petal style [three petal vs four petal for instance]. Primers can make a difference.
Another thing that can come into play is the break-in of the gun itself. They all break-in differently even amongst like brands and models. I shot my guns a lot when they were new so I could learn their little qwirks and they do have them. Both of my V2 gun's accuracy seemed to really come alive after about 70 rounds thru each of them. If for no other reason, go shoot the guns to get yourself and the gun on the same page then start looking to develop the accuracy and I think you'll be much happier.
I can usually tell at the range within three or four shots if my mojo isn't a happening thing on any given day. If I am off, I bag it up and go home. I just know myself well enough to know that if it isn't working not to fight it. I've watched friends at the club shoot until they are seriously black and blue because they're too stubborn to realize that it them, not the gun, that's off. Stay aware of yourself when you're digging for accuracy and if things are not "just right", switch guns or pack it up so you're not simply promoting a bad habit.
Any of the V2s are great guns and very capable of super good 100-200 yard accuracy. Grab several bullets in varying weights and work up powder charges for each along with different sabots and hit the range often. You'll find a load the delivers exactly what you are looking for.
