loose or pellets?

[bchris2146]

I have been shooting CVA Optima Pro .50 cal with 3 50gr pellets and a 250 gr sabot. i have not gotten a very good group and I am going to experiment with loose pyrodex. Anyone have any good loads?

 

[Hawkeye748]

60 to 80 grains should do the trick.

 

[arcticap]

Loading more than two pellets of 777 or Pyrodex usually won't deliver the best accuracy.
Start at 70 or 80 grains and increase the volume in 5 - 10 grain increments. Most guns seem to like somewhere between 90 - 110 grains whether the powder is loose or pellets.

 

[BHP FAN]

my advice?Triple Seven.Pyrodex does not age well,and gives inconsistent velocity's even when new.I really prefer the real deal,Goex,Swiss or Elephant,but I realize some folks haven't got access to the Holy Black.

 

[scythefwd]

bchris2146,
Try shooting 2 pellets in stead. What size groups are you getting?

 

[eastbank]

i have been trying 100grs of rs parodox loose in my tc omega with a 295 power belt and have been haveing good results, it shoots into 2 inches at 100yds.i run a wet patch every four shots and have not been getting the crud ring like i was getting with the pellets.i will try other loose powders later to see if any are better. eastbank.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Use Black Powder as BHP and Jaeger mentioned ... that's square one... no better advice could I give you.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Here lately I have been hearing a lot of people going back to loose powder. After hearing their points about working up loads, I'm going to go back and try loose again as well. Two pellets are giving my Optima Elite 2" groups. Maybe I can shave a little off that.

 

[bchris2146]

Well I tried the loose powder and a different bullet. Here's the sweet spot for my Optima: 125 gr Pyrodex behind a 295 gr powerbelt.

 

[arcticap]

I'm gad that you found it.
Thanks for the feedback!

 

[sourdough44]

I've always liked loose better. I compare it to starting a fire in my woodstove, it's easier with some kindling rather than 2 large logs. You can taylor your loads & should be cheaper. Carrying a few pre-measured charges when hunting is a minimal chore.

 

[alsaqr]

For many years I used either two 50 grain Pyrodex pellets or 100 grains of Pyrodex RS in one of my guns. That CVA gun shoots to the same point of aim with both loads when using the 240 grain .430 XTP bullet. Killed an awful lot of deer and hogs with those loads.