BlondeBear63
Member
This past Saturday I shot a very nice buck. However, it was lost due to ineffective terminal ballistics. It was a good 80 yard shot to the boiler room, full broad side with leg forward. The bullet should have penetrated deeply, but didn't. I willing admit and accept when I don't do my part, but this was not the case and this magnificent animal got away as well as suffered. My disappointment is overshadowed by the anger I feel towards the misleading Hollow Point/Sabot combination being totted as the hyper-accurate and superior long range killing solution of the future.
My stainless 1:28 twist CVA Optima may not be the finest muzzle loader, but with its Simmons .44 Mag scope it can put 3 rounds in within 1" at 75 yards from a cold start. It is a darn fine gun and isn't going away. It fires 100 grains of Winchester Shotgun shell primer ignited Blackhorn 209. But it will no longer propel Hornady 250 grain SST-MLs.
The confusing CVA Optima V2 manual first states "All weights of PowerBelt bullets can be used in your CVA gun. PowerBelt bullets can weight as much as 444 grains. PowerBelt SKU: AC1573: http://shop.cva.com/Powerbelt/AC1573.asp
The manual further indicates "Do not use lead conical bullets weighing over 400 grains in your CVA gun." It also indicates "It is fully magnum capable. This means that you can use the "magnum" charge of 150 grains equivalent of pelletized blackpowder substitute."
I dug out my 370 grain Lyman .50 caliber Maxi bullets and everything changed. Bang went to BOOM, 1" to 3/4" accuracy, and recoil became more significant ! Now I need advice.
First, As I understand it, lube is not necessary for lead boolits when using the Blackhorn 209. Is this true?
Second, I should never have gone against my better judgment by using sabots instead of heavy lead bullets. Given what the CVA manual has indicated, what .50 caliber bullet options do I have? I sort of like the looks of the 395 grain Lyman 50 Caliber Plains bullet. Any thoughts?
I am really looking forward to all the input to help avoid a repeat of the past weekend.
Thanks in advance!
My stainless 1:28 twist CVA Optima may not be the finest muzzle loader, but with its Simmons .44 Mag scope it can put 3 rounds in within 1" at 75 yards from a cold start. It is a darn fine gun and isn't going away. It fires 100 grains of Winchester Shotgun shell primer ignited Blackhorn 209. But it will no longer propel Hornady 250 grain SST-MLs.
The confusing CVA Optima V2 manual first states "All weights of PowerBelt bullets can be used in your CVA gun. PowerBelt bullets can weight as much as 444 grains. PowerBelt SKU: AC1573: http://shop.cva.com/Powerbelt/AC1573.asp
The manual further indicates "Do not use lead conical bullets weighing over 400 grains in your CVA gun." It also indicates "It is fully magnum capable. This means that you can use the "magnum" charge of 150 grains equivalent of pelletized blackpowder substitute."
I dug out my 370 grain Lyman .50 caliber Maxi bullets and everything changed. Bang went to BOOM, 1" to 3/4" accuracy, and recoil became more significant ! Now I need advice.
First, As I understand it, lube is not necessary for lead boolits when using the Blackhorn 209. Is this true?
Second, I should never have gone against my better judgment by using sabots instead of heavy lead bullets. Given what the CVA manual has indicated, what .50 caliber bullet options do I have? I sort of like the looks of the 395 grain Lyman 50 Caliber Plains bullet. Any thoughts?
I am really looking forward to all the input to help avoid a repeat of the past weekend.
Thanks in advance!