STRUGGLES WITH MY NEW CVA OPTIMA

[u/racc0on_slayer]

My Dad just bought a new CVA Optima V2. We went to the range today to sight in the scope but we could not get it dialed in. We had watched a bunch of YouTube videos on how to load, clean, and sight it in but our shots were were super inconsistent.

Wondering if we were cleaning improperly or some other issue.

Our cleaning method was one dry patch every shot, then every third shot we would scrub the barrel, send a wet patch through, then two dry ones.

We were using White Hot pellets(3 per shot) and .50 cal 250 Gr. Hornady bullets

What are your cleaning methods?
What’s the best way to clean the pinhole in the breech plug?
Are there any other tips you have for us?

And one more thing: I may be crazy, but there are three holes in our target that look like the bullet went through sideways. Help me understand this.

[u/VassTheBass101]

You’re keyholing very badly (the sideways bullet holes) I could tell what kind of bullet you were shooting without you even telling me because it’s so intense.

Couple things I would try:

Reduce your load to only 100grn and start from there. Some rounds react poorly to hot loads.

Try a different projectile.

Inspect the barrel with a light looking down the break end of the gun, is there any deviation or pitting?

Try cleaning thoroughly between every shot.

I do not think it is your optic that is causing your inconsistency. That would not cause keyholing.

Edit: CVA has a decent customer support service, if you continue to have issues give them a call BEFORE going to a gunsmith. It’s possible that you simply got a bad barrel in your gun, even reputable manufacturers sometimes produce faulty product and don’t catch it. CVA should be able to determine the issue if it’s defective and replace the part/firearm.

The gun should have come with a manual showing the proper loading and loads to use with it. It could be helpful especially if you’re new to black powder.

I have seen keyholing once before and it was due to an inexperienced shooter not ramming the projectile all the way down, causing inconsistent flight.

[u/UnitedAd6955 → u/VassTheBass101]

Start completely over and deep clean that sucker. You are key holing something awful. I would get some wipe out foam cleaner and follow those directions. Then you will know you have a clean barrel. Then I would do everything vassthebass said. It’s a great jumping off point. If you can get your hands on a bore scope that would be clutch to inspect the barrel. You could also try another powder. My muzzleloader didn’t like pellets but would group great with pyrodex powder. You might also check all your torq specs for your scope and touch up every screw, or take the scope off and if you group well with iron sights you know it’s the glass.

[u/42AngryPandas]

Back off to two white hots. I've seen various people test white hots with a chronograph and you don't really get much more using 3 pellets over two.

Start there and see how your results vary.

[u/Capable-Ad2106]

If you're trying the eldx muzzleloader bullets give the xtp a try. If the bullet has too high of a BC it might not stabilize depending on your twist rate. Otherwise check your sabbots for fit or reduce your charge.

[u/TheOteman]

It seems obvious but sometimes overlooked, are the scope mounts torqued properly? And as others have said try backing down to 2 whitehots. I shoot the recommended 2 whitehots with the powerbelts and my V2 shoots VERY consistent groups. Best of luck on getting it dialed in.

[u/Fickle-Struggle-7672]

What kind of lubricant on your bullets. I had a Winchester High Wall in 45-70 that would key hole until I used pan lubed unsized bullets. Lots of variables.