Optima Pro Question
 

Need to find an accurate load for this gun and looking for advise on things to try.

Here is my set up and what I have tried.

I am using a CVA Optima Pro .45 cal. in nickel. 100 grains of loose powder with Power Belt 265 and tried 195 grain bullets. My groups are as big as a pie plate at 50 yds. I am using a Power Aisle bench rest and at times a hydraulic trigger.
Before this weapon I was using a CVA Firebolt also in .45 cal. with the same powder and bullets as listed above and it was wonderful. That is why I thought the higher priced Optima Pro would be as good but easier to clean and handle the weather better.

Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks!!

Forgot to mention that the powder I am using is Clean Shot.
Thanks Again.

You may want to try the shockwaves or hornady sst and triple 7 pellets or loose powder. My Optima is not a .45 but this combination is accurate out of mine getting 1.5 inch groups at 150 yds. I tried the powerbelts first but the gun didn't like it either. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the response SuperMagnum!

I hate to give up the powerbelts because they load so easy but if that is what it takes to get a good group...

I bought some triple 7 loose powder but haven't tried it yet. Will changing powder cause a big difference in where the bullet hits or even the group size?

Thanks again

:D

I don't know if changing the powder will change much, but the amount you put in definitely will. With my .50 I started out with 100 grains and got 1- 1.5" groups at 150yd but had alot of drop, zero at 100 and about 8 inch low at 150. Added another 30 grains to a total of 130 and now it's right on at 150yds and about 1.5 - 2" high at 50 and 100 yds. The group did open a bit more with the higher charge but it took care of the drop.

What is cleanshot? I have never heard of this in a blackpowder?

I use 100 grains (2 pyrodex pellets) and the same powerbelt bullet you are using and I if I remember right I got around a 2 inch group @ 75 yards with the open sites from a bench.

45 optima pro
 

I bought one last year before hunting season, I've never gotten it to shoot anything near acceptable hunting groups, I've tried every type of bullet I could find with every type of pyrodex made, 5-6" groups was the best I could ever get with magnum loads.
Cut the charge back to 80-90 grains and it gets better but thats not why I bought a 45 cal magnum mzzldr.
I've tried
shockwaves
SST's
powerbelts ( drill holes in these and use for fishing sinkers)
hornady sabots with both 357 and 40 cal bullets
great plains bullets
buffalo bullets
my bro in law has a 45 cal encore that has the same problem, think its the twist or bore diameter.
RR