CVA Optima Magnum .45 cal load help!

[lnewton]

Picked this up a couple of months ago to try my hand at muzzle loading. So far I have only shot 8 rounds through it. 3 powerbelt 295 ELRs with 110 grain by weight of 777. I have also shot 5 Hornady 200s with the same 110 grain by weight 777. Shot OK, like 2” at 50 yards with both loads but 100 yards was all over. This rifle is set up with open sights for a New Mexico Mule Deer hunt so I have that to contend with as well. Any load data with 777 only would be appreciated. .45 projectiles are not very available either. The ELRs are at my local academy but had to get the hornadys at scheels 2&1/2 hours away. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lazydrifter]

That's a lot of powder. 110 gains of 777 by weight is over 140 grains by volume. I would drop down to about 78 grains by weight(which is around 100 grains by volume) and try it. And then slowly work your way up.

 

[lnewton]

That's a lot of powder. 110 gains of 777 by weight is over 140 grains by volume. I would drop down to about 78 grains by weight(which is around 100 grains by volume) and try it. And then slowly work your way up.

That would make sense. Probably why it is not consistent. I will try a much lighter load.

 

[ElDiablito]

Yeah that’s a pretty big powder charge. Get yourself a volume measure, pick a volume and then weigh loads if you really feel like you need to. IMO, there isn’t any need to do that (weigh charges) with 777, though.

For reference, when I measure/weigh 777, I get:

100 grV 2F 777 is 82.3 grW ave
100 grV 3F 777 is 85.7 grW ave

So with 2F, 123 grW is prob about max charge (150 grV). I’d suggest staying in the 100-120 grV range for best accuracy.

 

[lnewton]

I will definitely drop back to measuring by volume. May even pick up some pellets.

 

[ElDiablito]

May even pick up some pellets.

 

[lnewton]

View attachment 717931

I know! Right?!?! I am anti-pellet but the speed load option in the field might be a good option

 

[ElDiablito]

I know! Right?!?! I am anti-pellet but the speed load option in the field might be a good option

Yeah, pellets aren’t really any faster unless you’re trying to load from prone. If you want easier/speedier loose powder reloads, these work great.

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[lnewton]

So, I spent a couple of hours at the range yesterday and found that 90 grains by volume of 777 FFG worked really well with the Hornady SST 200 grains sabots. I tried a few different charges with the powerbelt ELR as well with poor results overall. Here are some pics with the 90/200 load at 50 and 100 yards. I think it is ready to go! Thanks for all of the advice!