My CVA Optima V2 build and real world elk experience…

[adiecidue]

I’m more of a lurker and post reader than anything but many posts here in the muzzleloader section have helped me so I’m wanting to post about my build/specs and experience to share with others.

CVA Optima V2
95gr by volume 777
300gr Thor Bullet
Williams western precision sights with fiber optic insert
CVA BH209 breech plug

Spent a day at the range tweaking the load and getting sights set before my Colorado muzzleloader trip.



This was my final 5 shot group at 100. My closed fist could touch all these shots. I was very happy with this on open sights.

Shot 3 at 150 and forgot a photo. Still good grouping and shooting about 7 inches lower at 150

To keep the story short. On day 5 of my hunt I made a 100 yard off hand shot on a great bull. Got the full show of bugles, tree thrashing and more. He stepped out, let out a bugle and was slightly quartering away. Shot, he flinched and just stood there for about 8-10 seconds and fell back dead. Zero tracking. Found the bullet in the off shoulder.




VERY happy with this combo

 

[Binz17]

I've been looking at the thors. Is the 300gr the optimal size for elk? I was thinking of going bigger.

 

[adiecidue]

I've been looking at the thors. Is the 300gr the optimal size for elk? I was thinking of going bigger.

Im no expert but my experience with this bull was phenomenal. I have no worries about this bullet on elk

 

[OXN939]

I’m more of a lurker and post reader than anything but many posts here in the muzzleloader section have helped me so I’m wanting to post about my build/specs and experience to share with others.

CVA Optima V2
95gr by volume 777
300gr Thor Bullet
Williams western precision sights with fiber optic insert
CVA BH209 breech plug

Spent a day at the range tweaking the load and getting sights set before my Colorado muzzleloader trip.

View attachment 458266

This was my final 5 shot group at 100. My closed fist could touch all these shots. I was very happy with this on open sights.

Shot 3 at 150 and forgot a photo. Still good grouping and shooting about 7 inches lower at 150

To keep the story short. On day 5 of my hunt I made a 100 yard off hand shot on a great bull. Got the full show of bugles, tree thrashing and more. He stepped out, let out a bugle and was slightly quartering away. Shot, he flinched and just stood there for about 8-10 seconds and fell back dead. Zero tracking. Found the bullet in the off shoulder.

View attachment 458268


VERY happy with this combo

View attachment 458269

Man beautiful bull and an awesome story. The Thor I shot my blackpowder whitetail with last year out of the exact same combo you're using ended up looking very similar to yours. Even with the partial expansion on one side, terminal performance was great.

 

[kjw]

Congrats and thanks for the review. Starting to tinker in the muzzy world. Going to Tennessee in November to start on whitetail. 2 bucks and 3 does a day. Should get some things sorted out

 

[Newtosavage]

Curious the reason for the 209 breech plug with Triple 7. I have both breech plugs and use the original for Triple 7 and the 209 for BH209. I am not surprised the Triple 7 works fine with the 209 plug. The other way around might present a problem however.

 

[Hondo0925]

Nice work!!! Shot a similar setup with the 250 Thor bullet for a Colorado mule deer hunt this year and couldn’t have been happier. Awesome bull!

 

[adiecidue]

Curious the reason for the 209 breech plug with Triple 7. I have both breech plugs and use the original for Triple 7 and the 209 for BH209. I am not surprised the Triple 7 works fine with the 209 plug. The other way around might present a problem however.

I was going to run BH209 in it but decided to stick with 777 for price reasons

 

[Heat]

Way to go man, great bull! Thanks for sharing your experiences working up a load and hunting.

 

[Durran87]

Great work! I run an identical setup, but you had better luck than I did this year…

 

[MarkOrtiz]

Nice Bull! Thanks for the review and pictures of the performance.

 

[bitterroot_reaper]

Curious the reason for the 209 breech plug with Triple 7. I have both breech plugs and use the original for Triple 7 and the 209 for BH209. I am not surprised the Triple 7 works fine with the 209 plug. The other way around might present a problem however.

Faster, hotter ignition will cause more even and rapid burn causing an increased pressure curve allowing for the potential for increased velocities and (with good load development) more consistent velocities. For my non-Idaho gun I’m building, I’ll be using a custom Variflame style nipple, and testing MZ Black and BH209 as powders with sabots.

 

[BPI_Outdoors]

I’m more of a lurker and post reader than anything but many posts here in the muzzleloader section have helped me so I’m wanting to post about my build/specs and experience to share with others.

CVA Optima V2
95gr by volume 777
300gr Thor Bullet
Williams western precision sights with fiber optic insert
CVA BH209 breech plug

Spent a day at the range tweaking the load and getting sights set before my Colorado muzzleloader trip.

View attachment 458266

This was my final 5 shot group at 100. My closed fist could touch all these shots. I was very happy with this on open sights.

Shot 3 at 150 and forgot a photo. Still good grouping and shooting about 7 inches lower at 150

To keep the story short. On day 5 of my hunt I made a 100 yard off hand shot on a great bull. Got the full show of bugles, tree thrashing and more. He stepped out, let out a bugle and was slightly quartering away. Shot, he flinched and just stood there for about 8-10 seconds and fell back dead. Zero tracking. Found the bullet in the off shoulder.

View attachment 458268


VERY happy with this combo

View attachment 458269

Congratulations on a fine Bull and thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[Mdpate]

Those Thor bullets seem awesome, I’m between those and Barnes TMZ.