CVA optima v2 questions

[z7]

Moving to VA and need a muzzleloader for deer hunting with the kids

looks like the optima v2 is decent quality and well priced


1. And advice on which BP substitute provides good accuracy and lower recoil? (Kids are 8 and 11)

2. Any bullet recommendations? Lighter bullets will recoil less, but I want it to maintain accuracy to around 120 yds

3. any alternative to the optima v2 (midway has them for $300)

4. anyone ever put a tripod plate on a cheap plastic forend?

 

[red rick]

I doubt the kids will be able to shoot it yet . It has a 14” LOP . I think that they make a Wolf model for smaller hunters with a shorter LOP and barrel . I have a Accura mine shoots Hornady SST 250 gr and any Barnes sabots using 90 grains of Blackhorn 209 the most accurately using CCI 209 magnum primers . The only down side , is I get hang fires using Blackhorn 209 . They make a special breech plug for the new CVA inlines for Blackhorn 209 , but not for my older model . Another negative is the cost and availability of Blackhorn 209 now and magnum primers . I now hunt with 2 White Hot pellets , triple 7 primers and Barnes expander sabots . It goes bang every time and is accurate enough . I do plan on testing some triple 7 powder for the best results when I get some more primers . You do have to swab the barrel after every shot using White Hots and Triple 7 . I can shot about 10 times before I need to swab using Blackhorn 209 . Also recoil is going to be a factor with kids that age and possibly scope bite .

 

[Hugger-4641]

I have the Wolf and Vr2 LR. I mostly use loose Prodex Rs, 120gr with a 250gr Power Belt Aerolite. Mild recoil and good for at least 150yds and 3moa or better.
I have used Blackhorn 209, and it does burn a bit cleaner, but not enough to justify the price for me vs Rs, especially as easy as the V2 is to clean.
I get 8 to 10 shots between cleaning with the RS or 777 pellets. 120gr of loose Rs or Blackhorn and a 250 Aerolite gives me about 1850fps, 3 pellets of 50/50 777 gives about 1980.
Last year I did try the Hornady Bore Driver 295gr, they performed just as well as the Power Belt.

 

[noelf2]

red rick is right. It's a bit big for a youngster. My load is about the same as rick's, but with 100 gr T7. My grandkids will use my Optima V2 pistol (no longer made) that I put a AR stock on. It shoots 77 grains T7 (easy to remember) and a saboted 240 grain Hornady XTP/MAG bullet. It still kicks a bit much for them, but it fits them better. I plan to drop the charge to about 65 grains T7 and use a lighter XTP bullet, and adjust for accuracy. Shorter range but should do the job if the bullet will still expand.

Where in VA? I'm in Patrick County.

 

[Rustmangler]

I have the V2 pistol and see adds regularly for them. Mine is set up for powder or pellets. 209 or musket caps.

 

[noelf2]

I have the V2 pistol and see adds regularly for them. Mine is set up for powder or pellets. 209 or musket caps.

New ones? Weird since they were discontinued years ago.

Oh I see another company teamed up with CVA to bring them back. They sure are proud of them. Not cheap.