Bullet powder advice

[randemgun]

Ok so I have a wy antelope black powder hunt. Its private ground and I expect no shot over 80 yards. I have a new cva optima 50. Tell me what to do. Loose or pellets and bullets. Thanks for any replies. I was thinking or leaning toward the tmz 245 grain with 100 grain pellets or 250 grain Hornaday sst. Like I said i really expect 50 yards or less. Hunting a water hole

 

[Mudpuddle]

I have good luck with the Barnes and that would be my choice, but I'm sure either bullet would be fine. Most people will push you towards loose powder because of the tradition of it and the ability to fine tune your load. With relatively close shots I don't see much of a downside to using the pellets if that's what you have.

Good luck and post back after your hunt!

 

[spur60]

I wouldn't over think it for that range and size animal. buy 3 or 4 bullet types, a few powders, and head to the range. I'm a fan of the TMZ after the performance I saw on my 2021 MN whitetail. Barnes Shockwave TMZ 290 gr. over 100 gr. of blackhorn. 100 yard shot, 22" of penetration. In through the brisket, through a lung, through the spine, stopped in the hide.

 

[CanyonHunter]

I’m trying to figure out my optima right now, just for reference I haven’t had any good groups with 777 pellets. Have tried hornady mono flex, Barnes t-ez, and power belt copper 245. Only decent group was federal copper not lock.

 

[sneaky]

The pellets don't burn as efficiently as loose powder does, and it's already been mentioned, you can fine tune your load with loose powder.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Gutshot007]

My cva shoots awesome with 250 Barnes expander with 120 grains of blackhorn 209 . Knocks the chocolate out of em

 

[ElDiablito]

Antelope at 50-80 yards? Anything will work.