Not bad at all. You better believe, I’d run my Mossberg 835 with the slug barrel if I could. 5 holes touching at 50 yards in a smooth bore slug barrel with factory sights. That’s not saying much when the holes are from full bore foster slugs but definitely good for 100 yards in a whitetail.

For that matter, I would prefer the 30-06 my grandfather-in-law just gave me, and would use that gun for everything.

But the best locations near me only allow a muzzle loader or a bow.

This is two groups from my new CVA Optima V2 .50 with 4-12 Nikon Buckmasters. The bottom group is three shots at 25 yards and the top group is three shots at 50 yards. Out of the box I checked the trigger pull...2 pounds on the dot, really nice trigger.

320 Grain Lee REAL Bullet lubed with 50/50 Beeswax and Crisco, 1/8 inch lubed felt wad, 80 Grains Pyrodex RS, Cheddite 209 Primer. Really mild and fun to shoot.

If the accuracy will hold up like that when I take it to 100 yards, the deer and hogs will be in trouble.

I would take that all day long.

I picked up some more powder today, Pyrodex Select RS. I keep spending a little here and there. I am probably going to stick with the 240 grain sabots, except I’m buying the pistol rounds and sabots separately now.

We will see how it goes now that I have the sights cinched down good and a good scope on there.

^^^^This

New breeches plug, mag primers, etc. I can live without Blackhorn 209

Now if I stumbled across about 500 mag 209 primers I’d give Blackhorn a go

Blackhorn 209 does not need mag primers. Ive used stand 209s and they always went bang

Well they are sure trying to sell the idea. I am gonna hold what I’ve got until I’ve tested it all. 4 propellants, 3 primers, 3 bullets.

I plan on chopping the barrel after deer season. Will definitely get some Blackhorn by then

I have the same rifle, and I use 2 777 pellets and a 295 grain powerbelt bullets and get cloverleaf groups at 75 yds.I swab with barrel blaster presaturated patches between shots.

When I swab between shots I like to use the orange windshield wiper fluid, both sides of the wet patch and a dry patch. I don't use 777 though. Really liking this stuff.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/83678

In between shots with this stuff you can pass on swabbing a couple of shots. I run a dry patch through it anyway. After a few shots I run the windshield cleaner through it as described. It dries pretty quick.

I ditched the 4-12x Virtex Diamondback for a simple FXI 4x28 I had laying around. The little FXI is a lot more clear and bright than that variable. Also it does not detract from the light weight and maneuverability of this little gun.



Those super-duper low rings are a set of Nikon rings I got on clearance a while back. I love how low they sit, perfect for the low comb on this stock.

Was fresh out of vibra-tite and denatured alcohol, I sure hope just tightening to 20 inch pounds will get me through deer season, you never know.

Obviously, iron sights went right out the window with this little setup.

Should finally get some range time in the morning.

Just wanted to show y’all my results from today. I was running late getting to the range, and had a few issues. Sun was going down, so I was in a rush. These two targets represent the last two adjustments I made before I went home. 100 yards.

This is my second to last group:



Here is the last group after one final adjustment:



Shooting 240 grain Hornady XTP’s in TC Mag Express 50 cal sabots, running 80 grain Pyrodex Select with a Federal muzzle loading primer.

I wish I had more time. I have picked up so much stuff to test. But I think this will get me through deer season

the orange wiper fluid works good? I will have to try it, always down for a good hack.I use the barrel blaster patches because I stocked up when Gander Mountain closed and muzzle loader accessories were 60% off!

Looks like you finally got a usable group. Way to stick with it. That last pair of groups is good enough to hunt with for 100yds and in. Keep us posted if you have any updates or a "grip & grin".

I shot 34 full power loads Saturday morning. Had a couple of issues but like you all is good. Planning on hunting the Oklahoma muzzleloading season this year. I'm running the 270 grain Speer Deep Curl, Harvester crushed rib sabots and 80 grains of Shooters world All purpose Black. I sighted in 2 inches high at 100 yards but I can't see how I would get a shot longer than 75 yards where I am going to hunt.

Looks like you're ready to go!

Thanks. I still have other ammo to test, every time I see something I want I struggle to leave it on the shelf. Powerbelts and etc. I should probably leave well enough alone. Range time doesn’t come easy.

I will probably shoot the first doe I see and call it a season, spend the rest of the year going after squirrels with the kids. I will have 2 or maybe 3 chances to go deer hunting this year. I just want a little bit of venison, it’s been way too long.

Will let y’all know how it turns out.

Have to say I have never used anything near as good at cleaning BP residue from a barrel than the orange windshield wiper fluid and it dries very quickly.

I have learned that I am going to Autozone tomorrow for orange washer fluid. Got a couple bottles of Blackhorn, a few pkgs of 260gn Dead Center bullets and some Federal 210m's to test in the Omega with a new Vari-Flame breech plug.

Picked up a couple jugs of blackhorn 209 on impulse the other day, and today I found a Blackhorn 209 breech plug at Runnings in Brookings, SD. So next range day I will shoot a group with it starting with a clean cold bore. I hope it lives up to the hype!

Checking zero before the season starts.

I think I'm Good.......!