Bought my first smokepole

jheitertusa · February 15, 2008, 12:18 AM

I bought a CVA Optima 209 Magnum in .45 today.

I decided I wanted to have a bigger window for deer hunting this year, and I have always wanted to try a muzzleloader.

I probably would have bought a .50, but I got a good deal on the .45 in a clearance sale. It was kind of an impulse buy.

Are two 50gr pellets of 777 and a 225gr Powerbelt bullet a good place to start for deer load (100 yards or less)? I am sure I will try different bullet and powder combinations for accuracy, just trying to get a good idea.

arcticap · February 15, 2008, 12:54 PM

Congratulations!
It sounds like the place to start and if you read through the following threads about .45 CVA's, a lot of guys recommend using the loose 777 powder to be better able to fine tune the loading.
About 75-80 grains of loose 777 powder seems to be the recommended starting load for a .45, and remember loose 777 needs to be reduced by 15% volume to be equivalent to the same volume of black powder and the substitutes.
Good luck and let us know how it shoots!

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2634972

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2118276

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2618530

shortwave · February 15, 2008, 09:17 PM

congrats jheitertusa, ADDICTION LOVES COMPANY! i have a optima in 50 cal. you`ll love the mechanics of the optima. if it doesn`t like powerbelts don`t settle on them, find what it likes. should be a tack driver. goodluck!

February 15, 2008, 12:18 AM	#1
jheitertusa Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 119	Bought my first smokepole I bought a CVA Optima 209 Magnum in .45 today. I decided I wanted to have a bigger window for deer hunting this year, and I have always wanted to try a muzzleloader. I probably would have bought a .50, but I got a good deal on the .45 in a clearance sale. It was kind of an impulse buy. Are two 50gr pellets of 777 and a 225gr Powerbelt bullet a good place to start for deer load (100 yards or less)? I am sure I will try different bullet and powder combinations for accuracy, just trying to get a good idea.

February 15, 2008, 12:54 PM	#2
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	Congratulations! It sounds like the place to start and if you read through the following threads about .45 CVA's, a lot of guys recommend using the loose 777 powder to be better able to fine tune the loading. About 75-80 grains of loose 777 powder seems to be the recommended starting load for a .45, and remember loose 777 needs to be reduced by 15% volume to be equivalent to the same volume of black powder and the substitutes. Good luck and let us know how it shoots! http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2634972 http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2118276 http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2618530

February 15, 2008, 09:17 PM	#3
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	congrats jheitertusa, ADDICTION LOVES COMPANY! i have a optima in 50 cal. you`ll love the mechanics of the optima. if it doesn`t like powerbelts don`t settle on them, find what it likes. should be a tack driver. goodluck!