Ok ladies, I just purchased a new CVA optima stainless/camo muzzleloader. I mounted a Bushnell Banner DOA on the factory installed mounts. I shot the gun today for the first time and was attempting to set the scope. I was using 100gr of triple7 and a Barnes 245 gr bullet. This thing is shooting all over the place. I have been doing alot of reading on shooting a mz as this is the first one Ive owned. No one I know shoots one and I'm flying by the seat of my pants here. I read that once the sabots are hard to load I should run a patch to clean it. I did this after the third shot. I ran a patch then ran a lubed patch. I started doing this between every shot cause I thought it might help with the scope setting. Well, it didn't. What am I doing wrong here?

I plan on purchasing some blackhorn 209 cause Ive heard nothing but good reviews about it. I would like to get the scope close with what I have now though if possible.

If any of you live close to Pisgah I would love a shooting partner/teacher.

I have that gun also. For years I tried all of my normal favorite bullets, with the same results you are having. Finally decided to try the recommended bullets for it, Powerbelts,, and it shot them great. They load real easy too.

Have killed several deer with that gun since switching to the powerbelts. Not impressed with the performance, but they are accurate. 100gr of 777 also.

I've got an Optima Magnum and I tried every bullet out there with 100 grains of Triple 7 and had the same results your having BC. I finally got Hollow point 240 gr Hornady bullets to shoot decent last year. This year went to sight in and the same crap again. I went to 150 grains of powder and it solved my grouping problems. Gun was still dead on the last time I shot it after being loaded and banged around for a month.

I use a CVA stainless Optima in .50 caliber. I have been using the same load for two years with good results. I use 150 grains of 777, 250 grain Barnes TMZ, clean the barrel after each shot. The rifle consistently shots 1.5 inch groups at 100 yds. I never use bore butter. There is no benifit to using bore butter and it is a mess to clean. I have also used 295 grain power belts with good results.

get you some bore butter, it helps in loading. also when loading the bullet, mark your ramrod when you are SURE the bullet is seated properly, then load to that mark each time unless you change the charge or bullet, that should help with accuracy. Powerbelts are easier to load BTW.

I bought some blackhorn 209 to try. I've got a few more questions tho. How do I know when my bullet is properly seated? The reason I ask is if I push the bullet as far down as I can get it, til I can't push it no more. I can then take the ram rod and "throw" it down in there and it will continue to push the bullet on down. It will go down another 1/2-1 inch. I feel like this is damaging my bullet and causing accuracy issues. I'm only shooting 100 grains and its capable of holding 150. Is this why ? I hope this ain't a stupid question but I've never been around ml s before and I want to make sure I'm doin it the right way.

Also do u guys do a wet patch and dry patch between shots for setting the scope. If u do a wet patch do u just spit on it or what?

Last question. I've read and heard from a lot of folks that the powerbelts are the ticket for accuracy. I've also read that they don't perform very well on game. I would really like to shoot the easiest loading most accurate bullet but I don't want to give up anything to cause a wounded animal or something.

If ur shootin pellets then ur probably crushing them. Put your ramrod down ur barrel while its unloaded. Then measure ur bullet and powder. Mark that msurment above where ur unloaded mark was and that'll get u real close.

Use Thompson wet patches after each shot. Power belt Platinum is a harder bullet than normal power belts and will have a exit wound on most shot. One thing I learned using power belts, the dirter the barrel the accuracy improves.

Thanks for the help guys. I will pick up some power belts and give them a go.