Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Your thoughts on CVA Optima

Hello all!
Back in the spring I bought a CVA Optimastainless fluted rifle. I have not had the opportunity to fire it or work with it any. I like the rifle. Now that it is Christmas time I’m thinking of buying one for the grandsons to shoot.
What are your thoughts on this rifle, good or bad?
Thanks for the help!
Rick

I have owned both the Wolf and the Optima. Both very good muzzleloaders.

I have the same CVA ML that you have

The good

Great trigger
accurate
Seems well made
Like the breech plug
Easy to clean


The not so good in my mind

I don’t like the square forearm
It carries a little awkward for me

That said, I would not hesitate to buy or recommend one

How big is the grandson?

I looked at both the Wolf and Optima V2 last year. Of the 2 I handled the Wolf had a better trigger bit the trigger on the Optima was no slouch.

I ended up with the Optima because if the longer barrel but in hindsight the Wolf would have been just as good plus handier in tight quarters brush.

Just another option if he is smaller and a shorter gun would suit him better.

Muzzle-loaders.com had good buys on both the other day.

I'm actually trying to kill three birds with one stone. I have already bought all three boys fishing rods, reels, and tackle for Christmas, this is an afterthought. The oldest is 16 and an average size boy. Nest is a 14 year old which is big enough. The problem may be the 8 year old. He is pretty small, probably average for an 8 year old but he wants to be big. I think I can get by with about an 80 grain charege with a round ball for him, maybe a lesser charge. I think I remember 60 grains works pretty well.
I looked at Muzzleloaders.com and all I saw were knight products. No CVA's. Any help on locating either is welcome.
Thanks,
Rick

Muzzle-loaders.com has the CVA optima V2 on sale for $288. I didn’t look at the wolf

The in-lines will be no good for a patched round ball, too fast of twists but a lighter .429 bullet in a sabot would work fine over a 50 grain pellet or more if you use loose powder such as Triple 7.

https://muzzle-loaders.com/collections/inline-muzzleloaders?pf_v_brand=CVA

We have the V2 in stainless and nitride. Find no fault in them. However suggest heavily you go with nitride barrels. Shooting BH209 and leaving them for a while the cleaning process in greatly easier with the nitride. Stainless gun has some pits internally after 6 or 7 years use. Nitride is a couple of years younger, treated the same, no pits visible. There really is a benefit.

Just saw the round ball deal. If the groups get weird just go with Harvester .50/.40 sabots and shoot .40 pistol bullets. Run a 180 Speer or XTP at minimum charge or so. We have used 200 gr Barnes .429 with 60 gr weighed BH209 in my wife’s and it works. Recoil is mild.

I, too, missed the round ball thoughts. Just a suggestion and not what you asked. Have you thought about a kit rifle that you and your sons could build together? Just a thought and it might be better than an in-line with parched round balls.

I think I have settled on a Wolf with sights. I can add a scope later. One thing I think to be true but don't find it anywhere.....Is the Wolf 209 shotgun primed?
I can go to sabots. I do cast my own bullets so the combinations are endless.
Thanks for all the help!
Rick

Yes 209 primed.

I had a Wolf, sold it and bought an Optima. Nothing wrong with the Wolf but the Optima is several steps better in many ways. For someone starting out, buy the Wolf and use the money saved on sabots and bullets for plenty of practice.

It is easier for me to load a longer barreled muzzleloader.

Are all the CVA's drilled and tapped for scope mounts? I'd like one with iron sights but with the option of adding a scope in the future.

👍🏿

THX

I decided on the Wolf. It will be easier for the little one to be able to shoot it.
Thanks for all the help and direction,
Rcik

All drilled and tapped. They come in two models, one with a scope mount and one with sights (both models tapped).

Don't forget that CVA will sell you a youth stock really cheap straight from the website. That will help the little ones down the road.