My CVA Optima V2 build and real world elk experience…

adiecidue

FNG
Joined
Jul 1, 2022
Messages
12
I’m more of a lurker and post reader than anything but many posts here in the muzzleloader section have helped me so I’m wanting to post about my build/specs and experience to share with others.

CVA Optima V2
95gr by volume 777
300gr Thor Bullet
Williams western precision sights with fiber optic insert
CVA BH209 breech plug

Spent a day at the range tweaking the load and getting sights set before my Colorado muzzleloader trip.

286071BF-74B9-4C06-AA67-504FA07DA860.jpeg

This was my final 5 shot group at 100. My closed fist could touch all these shots. I was very happy with this on open sights.

Shot 3 at 150 and forgot a photo. Still good grouping and shooting about 7 inches lower at 150

To keep the story short. On day 5 of my hunt I made a 100 yard off hand shot on a great bull. Got the full show of bugles, tree thrashing and more. He stepped out, let out a bugle and was slightly quartering away. Shot, he flinched and just stood there for about 8-10 seconds and fell back dead. Zero tracking. Found the bullet in the off shoulder.

E3A5412A-EC66-402A-8958-74597A0956CE.jpeg


VERY happy with this combo

959F7372-A0AF-4343-9437-89E4855067BC.jpeg
 

Binz17

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 21, 2021
Messages
133
I've been looking at the thors. Is the 300gr the optimal size for elk? I was thinking of going bigger.
 
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adiecidue

FNG
Joined
Jul 1, 2022
Messages
12
I've been looking at the thors. Is the 300gr the optimal size for elk? I was thinking of going bigger.
Im no expert but my experience with this bull was phenomenal. I have no worries about this bullet on elk
 

OXN939

WKR
Joined
Jun 28, 2018
Messages
1,790
Location
VA
I’m more of a lurker and post reader than anything but many posts here in the muzzleloader section have helped me so I’m wanting to post about my build/specs and experience to share with others.

CVA Optima V2
95gr by volume 777
300gr Thor Bullet
Williams western precision sights with fiber optic insert
CVA BH209 breech plug

Spent a day at the range tweaking the load and getting sights set before my Colorado muzzleloader trip.

View attachment 458266

This was my final 5 shot group at 100. My closed fist could touch all these shots. I was very happy with this on open sights.

Shot 3 at 150 and forgot a photo. Still good grouping and shooting about 7 inches lower at 150

To keep the story short. On day 5 of my hunt I made a 100 yard off hand shot on a great bull. Got the full show of bugles, tree thrashing and more. He stepped out, let out a bugle and was slightly quartering away. Shot, he flinched and just stood there for about 8-10 seconds and fell back dead. Zero tracking. Found the bullet in the off shoulder.

View attachment 458268


VERY happy with this combo

View attachment 458269

Man beautiful bull and an awesome story. The Thor I shot my blackpowder whitetail with last year out of the exact same combo you're using ended up looking very similar to yours. Even with the partial expansion on one side, terminal performance was great.
 

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kjw

WKR
Joined
Jul 7, 2012
Messages
301
Congrats and thanks for the review. Starting to tinker in the muzzy world. Going to Tennessee in November to start on whitetail. 2 bucks and 3 does a day. Should get some things sorted out
 
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Curious the reason for the 209 breech plug with Triple 7. I have both breech plugs and use the original for Triple 7 and the 209 for BH209. I am not surprised the Triple 7 works fine with the 209 plug. The other way around might present a problem however.
 

Hondo0925

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 8, 2022
Messages
265
Nice work!!! Shot a similar setup with the 250 Thor bullet for a Colorado mule deer hunt this year and couldn’t have been happier. Awesome bull!
 
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adiecidue

FNG
Joined
Jul 1, 2022
Messages
12
Curious the reason for the 209 breech plug with Triple 7. I have both breech plugs and use the original for Triple 7 and the 209 for BH209. I am not surprised the Triple 7 works fine with the 209 plug. The other way around might present a problem however.
I was going to run BH209 in it but decided to stick with 777 for price reasons
 

Durran87

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 26, 2022
Messages
138
Great work! I run an identical setup, but you had better luck than I did this year…
 
Joined
Mar 14, 2023
Messages
28
Location
Council, ID
Curious the reason for the 209 breech plug with Triple 7. I have both breech plugs and use the original for Triple 7 and the 209 for BH209. I am not surprised the Triple 7 works fine with the 209 plug. The other way around might present a problem however.
Faster, hotter ignition will cause more even and rapid burn causing an increased pressure curve allowing for the potential for increased velocities and (with good load development) more consistent velocities. For my non-Idaho gun I’m building, I’ll be using a custom Variflame style nipple, and testing MZ Black and BH209 as powders with sabots.
 

BPI_Outdoors

FNG
Rokslide Sponsor
Joined
Jul 31, 2020
Messages
47
I’m more of a lurker and post reader than anything but many posts here in the muzzleloader section have helped me so I’m wanting to post about my build/specs and experience to share with others.

CVA Optima V2
95gr by volume 777
300gr Thor Bullet
Williams western precision sights with fiber optic insert
CVA BH209 breech plug

Spent a day at the range tweaking the load and getting sights set before my Colorado muzzleloader trip.

View attachment 458266

This was my final 5 shot group at 100. My closed fist could touch all these shots. I was very happy with this on open sights.

Shot 3 at 150 and forgot a photo. Still good grouping and shooting about 7 inches lower at 150

To keep the story short. On day 5 of my hunt I made a 100 yard off hand shot on a great bull. Got the full show of bugles, tree thrashing and more. He stepped out, let out a bugle and was slightly quartering away. Shot, he flinched and just stood there for about 8-10 seconds and fell back dead. Zero tracking. Found the bullet in the off shoulder.

View attachment 458268


VERY happy with this combo

View attachment 458269
Congratulations on a fine Bull and thanks for sharing your experience.
 
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