Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Thoughts on CVa optima v2

Wallyworld has them on sale for 240 thumbhole and stainless. Reviews I find are for the most part pretty positive.

The gun fits really well.

That is a heck of a deal. I would buy one.

A typical Wallyworld end of season price mark down. That is a great deal. Buy it if it is still there when you go back.

great deal!

If stock fit is important and if you plan on mounting a scope you should check how the fit is with a scope on it.

A couple of my hunting buddies have CVAs and I didn't care for the stock fit with a scope on top. One with high mounts was so bad I had to hold my face away from the stock to get behind the scope. None were thumbhole stocks so I might be comparing apples to oranges.

I'm not knocking CVAs it's just something to consider.

highs are normally used with a 44mm+ scope. Medium and low for a 40mm - smaller.

Guns that come with open sights will never be perfect for scopes without raising the comb. CVA does have some stocks that are made for scopes only.

Sometimes I learn new things reading the fire. Sometimes I don't.

Any of you guys used the Cva's are they generally pretty accurate?, reliable?

Selective quoting?

Sure. Why not?

I can change quotes too.

$234 at Fleet Farm. Hmmmmm, I may need to try something that's a little easier to clean than my old Knight MK-93.

It actually looks a LOT easier to clean.

Yes that v2 is same thing as the accura without the bergara barrel I bet it shoots lights out . The old optimas shoot very well.

Thats why I got rid of my knights...antiquated priming system,blowback and not as compact. Only bolt gun I would still purchase is a White SUPER 91. that was the best one ever designed and built.

White Super 91 isn't a bolt gun, it's a plunger design. You're probably thinking of the White Thunderbolt.

Looks like a bolt gun correct , a bolt is window dressing on a Knight or any other bolt action derivative unless you are talking smokeless guns or magnum muzzleloaders. That super 91 had the best safety mechanism of any muzzleloader I have ever used. Not to mention it was way the heck overbuilt and was super simple to completely strip apart in the field.

It didn't seem obvious to you. You said you shouldered an Optima, but wouldn't like it with a scope. You also said you didn't try the TH stock which is the stock made for a scope. So, you didn't like the stock made for open sights, because it wouldn't work good with a scope. WTF?

high mount with 3-9x40


high with 3-10x44

That's not exactly what I said but I did say "None were thumbhole stocks so I might be comparing apples to oranges."

I understand that stocks made with iron sights in mind will "fit" differently when you mount a scope. Some work well, some so-so, and in the case I mentioned not so well.

Peace out.

BTW, I changed my underwear yesterday but I'm still wearing them and the same pair of socks.

Hey bigblock,

Do CVA thumbhole stocks "fit" better with a scope than the straight stocks?

The only reason I brought this up in the first place is the CVA I shouldered was unusually ill fitting ... the way it was set up.

yes, the higher cheek rise makes for a more comfortable fit. I tried lows with a cheapie 3-9x40 scope but did not like the recoil directly into my cheek. Mediums feel a lot better IMO with a 40mm scope.

I used to have a non thumbhole stock set up with a scope. Never had an uncomfortable feeling with it on the range. I think when a gun is naked at the store, they just seem odd until you throw a scope on and play with different mounts.

Don't know if this will help the OP or not as I have not used a muzzleloader since Carter was in office, but we purchased an Accura this season and have hunted it about two weeks now. It has many similar features to the Optima so the comparison might be worthwhile.

We bought ours because the mechanism was so easy to open and use, it was the only one we tried that my wife could comfortably open and close. I wanted an encore, but she found it too difficult. The easy open action really is nice, as well as the trigger was fine right out of the box. Turns out it is both very accurate and very easy to clean. We find the breechplug design to be superior to that of the TC we were comparing it too when shopping. Based on these things I can recommend the modern CVA.

The downside to both CVA models is the stock. My wife is ok with it after I cut two inches or so off and put an new buttpad on, but I don't care for it at all. I can't get a cheekwield and the grip is uncomfortably thin. I can shoot it ok from kneeling, but that is it.

If it was up to me I would sell it at a loss and move on, as I value ergonomics more than the ease of cleaning. However, the decision is up to her. I guess that will ultimately depend on if she gets the big buck she has been hunting this season!

Hope the Optima works out for you!

PS. We are using medium Burris signature rings and a Weaver grand slam scope. My wife is shorter than I am by a considerable amount and she seems to be able to see just fine, but I can't get a comfortable head position at all.

Thanks for the input RexM.

I can't use a scope on a muzzle-loader here, so cheek weld with a scope isn't an issue if it fits and shoulders well with irons.

Seems a bit on the high side to me, but everyone's different I guess.

For iron site use the long barrel on the Acura might be just the thing. I don't recall if the Optima barrel is the same length or not, but if it is it might be just right. The front site that came on ours is pretty good, as it is a good size and shows up well. But I think I would have to change the rear sight to some kind of peep sight, probably a Skinner or Lyman. We use the Lyman with an XS sight systems front sight on a 44 lever action for brush work and find it to be a good set up.

BTW: I forgot to add that our rifle has the Thumbhole stock. I would think the pistol grip stock would be better for iron sites but don't know for sure.

good luck to you,

Rex

That's not what he asked you. he asked if the TH stock on the Optima is higher, and made for a scope. Which we both know it is.

This is my take on CVA stocks.

Wolf........Only one stock available, and it's for the open sights. You'll only have a chin weld with a scope.

Optima.....Regular stock is for open sights, and too low for a scope.

Optima......... TH stock is made for a scope, and too high for open sights.

Accura.....Regular stock is made for open sights, and too low for a scope.

Accura.....TH stock is sort of a compromise. Works with open sights, and a scope, but isn't ideal for either.

Accura MR.....It uses the Apex stock, and is made for a scope. Way too high for open sights.

Apex.....I've never owned an Apex, and since the MR uses the same stock, i'm going to guess it's made for a scope.

Thats a good price for the Optima V2. I would suggest the DNZ mount for it vs the Durasight. Its similar to the Durasight but you have more options for height and i think a longer relief option too.

http://www.dnzproducts.com/product/game-reaper-cva/

About half the weight too.

Well, the "regular" stocked Optima is perfect for iron sights, so I would guess it sucks for a scope. I was quite pleased today at the range after picking up one at Fleet Farm. About 1.5-2" at 50 yards with irons using two 777 pellets and a shockwave bullet.

Breech plug easily unscrews by hand after 8 shots.

The trigger is amazing for something that cost under 250 bucks OTD. It has no creep, and breaks crisp. No clue as to weight, but it is about as light as I would go for a hunting rifle.

I like. Hopefully it will get used this year and add another deer to the chest-freezer.

After cleaning it, I am even more impressed. The cleaning was really easy, and the whole thing appears to be a really simple design.

KISS isn't bad on a hunting weapon.

if you feel any grittiness when installing the breech plug, just use a breech brush and clean that out. A 54cal brush will fit it if you do not have that large breech brush.

Thanks for the advice bigblock455, my breech brush for my Knight fits perfectly and made it buttery smooth.

I've got the Optima Pro, SS, had it for several years, now
get to use it again this fall.

What if any differences are there in these models, V2 ?

just the breech lever design and the ramrod.

[quote=gitem_12]Any of you guys used the Cva's are they generally pretty accurate?, reliable? [/quote}

I have 3. They all shoot about MOA with Barnes T-EZ and .45 plated lead. I killed two 10 days back with the Optima and two with the Kodiak magnum.

They're so simple there isn't much can go wrong.

Every deer I ever pointed one at is now dead because the bullet went right where I wanted it. I guess that's reliable.

FWIW mine use 66 grains by weight of Black Horn 209 and a Barnes T-EZ. Gets about 1700 and great accuracy. The four I shot this year all died in their tracks.

I like the Kodiak better, but the Optima works good too.

The FOUR you shot?

Where in MN are you hunting? 601?

In a place that needs a lot more of them shot.

Nice.

My freezer is only half-full, so I am going to hit a place here in 601 for some metro-muzzle-loading next week and hopefully get another one.

I hope it has half as many deer as wherever you are hunting.

One other question Miles: do you think the BH209 is worth it? I was going to hit the muzzle loader season with my old Knight, and Fleet Farm had the Optima on sale, so I got one. I only have had it out twice, and am using pellets just because that is what I did with my Knight, and I don't have a ton of time to work up a load before Saturday..

Anyhow, the 777 pellets are shooting pretty well, and much cleaner than the Pyrodex pellets I used to use. Since I am not scoping it, I don't know if it's worth spending a lot of load-development time on something I will likely only use out to 75 yards.

Is the performance jump that great that it's worth it? I can easily get the replacement breech plug if it is for next year.

There's a lot of places I know in 601 that really need some deer killed, but it's a lot better than it used to be. Where I am is worse now.

There is no great performance increase with BH209. You can get the same velocities with 777 it just takes a little bit more powder or an extra pellet.

I'm getting about the same velocity with 105 grains BH209 (by volume) as I did with 130 grains of 777 pellets (two 50 gr and one 30 gr).

The advantages of BH209 is it doesn't deteriorate and lose accuracy ... 777 does.

And there's no swabbing required between rounds.

Some folks claim to get better accuracy with BH209 but a lot of that has to do with BH209 being loose powder. It gives you the ability to try different powder charges to dial it in.

At 75 yards none of this is going to matter except the ease of loading a follow up shot.

If I need a "follow-up" shot, I am doing it wrong.....

No target ive shot needed a follow up shot either but the grouping would be deceiving without them. I shoot for fun and i dont find swabbing to be much fun.

Now there have been times ive been presented multiple shots at deer and if i had to swab, it would have lowered my chances of getting to take those shots. I filled all 3 of my tags one year in under 5min thanks to BH209 and no crud ring.

I had a paper target try to get away after the first shot, but it just ended up being the wind.

I understand what you're saying but ...

There's only been one deer that I've shot with my ML where I didn't reload. That one I could see was a bang flop DRT.

The point being that until you find 'em, poke 'em, and make sure they're dead it's not a bad idea to have another load in the tube.

YMMV.

I agree....

I hit one with that took out one lung and broke the spine. Came upon it just over a slight rise and the thing put it's head down and charged with it's upper body. Plugged the thing right in the chest mid jump from the hip and it slammed back over onto it's back. I was shooting a 7mm Rem Mag at the time but still I never go close unless I have one ready.

Yeah guys, I reload too, but out of the dozen or so deer I've gotten with a muzzle-loader, I never had to do it fast for an actual "follow-up."

We are a no-scope season, so, for me, I am taking a 50-75 yard shot tops. Most have been 20-30.

Two things I would do...

First, install Dyna Bore Coat.

Second, get some BH 209.

777 and Pyrodex get sticky and make reloading harder after one shot and sometimes impossible after 2/3. A person just doesn't need that.

BH 209 and the Barnes T-EZ are BOTH worth it. There is little to no difference in price between the Barnes and any other bullets. The performance of the Barnes has been absolutely consistent for me. Little to no bone or lots of bone, lots of deer to go through or not, they just go through in a straight line. I doubt I will ever recover one.

If you bought a pound of BH 209, just use 95 grains by volume or 66 grains by weight with a 250 grain bullet and it'll be fine. I'd bet on that load working well in any in-line. If it's cold out I'd consider having a pack of magnum 209s. Can't hurt, might help that little delay that sometimes happens.

Honestly, ive never had to follow up on the same deer. I do like to have one in the tube though just in case. You never know when you may find them still suffering or another comes running your way.

Love them Barnes too. No they are not needed to kill deer but i will never be picking lead out of my meat regardless of shot angle.

ahhh come on, lead only adds flavor.

I started using the BH209 this year, and am very happy with it. I reload after I shoot one, but have never had to use the 2nd shot. I use T/C Shock Wave/ Hornady SSTs, and have never had a deer make it out of sight before dropping, at ranges of 15-150 yards. In the last 3 years, I'm 7-0, so have no intention of changing bullets.