My new cva optima will be arivving tomorrow, im going to using two pellets of 777, cci primer, but im on the fence about what bullets to try. Powerbelt 295 or 348 copperwashed hp or hornady sst sabot. Im going to swab between shots from the bench, but does the sabots require additional care for the plastic sabot. New to the muzzleloader scene. My rifle is a ss synt. .50 with a leupold 3.5-10. Any tips will be appreciated. Longest shot will be out to 150 yards on deer and hogs!

Don't overlook Barnes Expanders or Spitfires.

The sabots don't really need any "additional care", just be careful not to crush them or burr the edges. Get yourself some hard plastic loader tubes to carry with you. You can put your entire load - pellets, sabot/bullet, and cap in the tube.

I've gotten away from powerbelts and use the Hornady sabots or Barnes X-press sabots and get a very good 2" group at 200 yards. But I also use 150gr. 777 pellets coming out of my Knight Rifle!

i use the T/C sabots and have real good luck with them. very accurate and deadly.

I like the accuracy of the Powerbelts, however, I don't like the bullet expansion/weight retention after impact. I have found the Powerbelts fracture upon impact and break into small pieces. I've tried the Hornady FPB bullets and like the expansion/weight retention, however, the accuracy was off slightly as compared to the Powerbelts. I shoot a Remingtion Genesis .50 cal using 150grains of pellets. What I found to be odd was shooting my .50cal CVA Hawken I use the 350gr Hornady Great Plains bullet. It's and ugly and primitive looking bullet, but highly accurate with good bullet expansion.

Thanks for the info fellas, I bought some 777 and cci magnum primers, going to try the powerbelt 295 grain aerotip with two pellets on some hogs if they shoot good in my Optima. I have plenty hogs to try them out on first.

Personaly I shoot lubed buffalo ballets and think they work great.

I tried some hornady sabots as well, I think it was a 230 or 240 grain 44 cal hornady handgun bullet in a sabot, they shot good and expansion/weight retention was good.

matt

I ended up getting five inch groups with the 295 power belt aero with two777 pellets and cci magnum primers. For schits and giggles I tried three pellets and averaged three and a half inch groups. I also tried a group using pyrodex two pellet load, but got five inches again using the aero tips. Now I have some hornady 250 sst to try out. After every shot I ran a spit patch to two before firing again.

You may try running loose powder. I have heard that it is more consistent than the pellets.

Think I found out what she likes. Hornady 250 sst flex with the red sabot, two 777pellets and a Cci magnum primer. First group was with a squeaky clean barrel using solvents. I ran a spit patch and then a dry one between shots. I'm happy with my $200 rifle!

My one hundred yard target

Look up Thor bullets they are a bore specific 50 cal. The owner will send you a sample to see which fits your barrel. These are solid copper based on the barnes bullets. A great bullet and well built made to pass through just about anything.

I agree with that choice. Have shot deer. hogs, and bison with them. Complete pass thrus and none ran more than 20 yards (strangely enough- it was the deer) before folding.

I love the Dead center bullets , that ain't the highest and not the cheapest but I have been very happy with them