I just switched today to 150g. So far I've had three deer run to far after solid hits. Lost a nice 8pt in the phragmites, tall reeds known as foxtail where I hunt. Swampy tidal marshes no man's land. With my Encore it tightened the groups and I hope the deer will hit the deck. I usually use Barnes hollow points but can't find them anymore. So used Shockwaves which I have a ton of. 100g I don't think is enough to get them to expand correctly. Next week should know.👍
That’s on how I feel also. 100gn doesn’t seem to have the pop I want. And 150gn kicks likes heck on the bench. Not bad in the stand with a deer in the scope. Wish you luck!! As we say …. “Good Luck and shoot straight”
I use 120gr with a 425gr Great Plains in my 54. Great for huntin but the recoil is excessive for everyday shootin. Accuracy is great out of my old Renegage and i would put it up against anyother muzzleloader.
Having that round/powder combo that you know is on is an awesome thing. I haven’t shot anything running a 54. I assume your rifle uses the #11 caps. Have you had a lot of trouble with those? What little experience I have isn’t awesome when it comes to caps. Glad to hear you have a nail driver!! Thanks for watching
@@suburbanhunt3653 I make my own caps for plinking and save my factory ones for hunting. Next time you are shootin lead bullets try putting a little RCBS case lube on them, it tightens my groups up alot. If you shoot a percussion revolver use 2 or 3 drops on top instead of grease or crisco, never get chain fires. After shooting check the end of your barrel and it will be there. Ive shot muzzleloaders for almost 60yrs and it works great on patches also. A bottle goes a long way, easy to pack and does away with the mess. Try it and you will love it.
@@Jim-m1t I have heard about people making their own primers but I've never really looked into doing it. I think that would be interesting to know how to do.
@@suburbanhunt3653 i get my primer compound from," SHARP SHOOTERS" costs $20 . Never tried it but you could probably reload your 209 primers if you had to. They sell a thing to make percussion caps out of beer cans for $50. I make most of mine out of the desposable heavy aluminum pie pans. Just cut a small circle and shape it on a nipple, put in primer compound, put 1 or 2 drops of acetone in and stir with a needle. Set and let dry. Ready to go.
I’ve seen the magnums in the red box that are 60gr. Im are sure that I’ve ever seen regular T7 pellets is 60. Doesn’t mean they don’t exist lord knows there is a lot of options.
@@jeffhays1968 LMAO. The ELRs about the only ones I plan to use this year. Other then that I’m probably going to land on Hornady after all testing is done
A load I recommend that I have been shooting is 120 grains of Blackhorn 209 and a powerbelt elr 330 grain. Mine groups very well at 100 yards and it just destroys the deer with that combo.
This is by far the hottest load I’ve heard of for the BH209. Depending on the resolves and velocities at 90 grain I may give it a shot. Thank you the combo and thank you for watching. Also what kind of kick comes with that load?
@@suburbanhunt3653 kicks like a mule but when you are out hunting you don’t feel the kick. I’m shooting mine out of a g4 ultralight from traditions. It may kick hard but it groups well. Easy to clean because of hardly any fouling and just destroys deer. It’s meant as a bear load but does wonders on deer. Make sure you use a shotgun primer instead of the muzzleloader primer. The powder needs a hotter spark to ignite. I run federal 209A and never had a issue
@@suburbanhunt3653 exactly. We withstand but the load was designed for bears up here in pa to put them on their butt but it works well on deer. Furthest that we had one run was 25 yards but she went down hill and was sliding the whole time. We were shocked she even went that far but the tracking job was easy. Blood out both sides. If you have a cvs they make a breech plug just for the Blackhorn 209
@@coreystoner4129 yes sir. Got the plug not long after the getting the Optima V2. I knew I wanted the try the loose powders. I just wasn’t happy with the pellets accuracy. Once I finish up the Fire Star pellets I will be starting the BH209 test. Thanks again for the load any idea what velocity you get from that load?
I've been used the federal bor lock since they come out. I like them I've taken 2 deer with them and my buddy took couple deer with them none of the deer run far
Does your Cva manual say not to shoot 150gr? I have a traditions pursuit. The manual and the 777 box say to use 100 but 150gr of white hots run fine. Just curious what you think
CVA manual states, "It is fully magnum capable*. This means that you can use the “magnum” charge of 150 grains equivalent of pelletized blackpowder substitutes." I have not had any problems running the 150gr loads of any powder. The powder companies cover their backside by putting 100gr limit or "shoot at your own risk" statements. They have no idea what rifle the charge will go into. I would be careful going over the rifle's owner's manual loads. That's one of the main reasons I went with CVA.
Powerbelts are very soft. Using 150 gr causes huge over expansion and poor if any penetration. I would stick to Hornady, Federal bore lock, Thor or Barnes.
I have to agree. Once I get through these powders I’m looking and doing a separate Thor test. These videos are mainly for accuracy test. You are of course right killing vs wounding is by far the more important aspect. Thank you for watching. I will continue using the Optima and bringing my results to you
There's not a load guide in the manual? My Knight likes 120 grains minimum for any heavy load according to its manual. I'd say try 120 but you'd need to use loose.
If memory serves there were some loads in the “manual” that came with the CVA Optima V2 but I don’t recall any with loose powder. They had loads for White Hots and Power Belts but I don’t recall any for loose powder. I will be double checking. 120gr for any heavy load? Anything above 290gr or 300gr? Did they explain what was considered a “heavy” load? This is very interesting. Does Knight have better load data? So many questions. Thank you for your comment!!!! And thank you for watching.
Man, I shoot the 290gr power belt over 3) 777 pellets. The recoil is ridiculous, but so are the groups! It’s a stake driver. It’s a CVA wolf. CVA has it all figured out.
Really great video. The best one on muzzleloaders I have ever seen. Keep up the good work. Great info!!!
Thank you Sir. We have the White Hots 150 dropping the weekend. Man do those 150gr loads kick on the bench😂🤣
I just switched today to 150g. So far I've had three deer run to far after solid hits. Lost a nice 8pt in the phragmites, tall reeds known as foxtail where I hunt. Swampy tidal marshes no man's land. With my Encore it tightened the groups and I hope the deer will hit the deck. I usually use Barnes hollow points but can't find them anymore. So used Shockwaves which I have a ton of. 100g I don't think is enough to get them to expand correctly. Next week should know.👍
That’s on how I feel also. 100gn doesn’t seem to have the pop I want. And 150gn kicks likes heck on the bench. Not bad in the stand with a deer in the scope. Wish you luck!! As we say …. “Good Luck and shoot straight”
I use 120gr with a 425gr Great Plains in my 54. Great for huntin but the recoil is excessive for everyday shootin. Accuracy is great out of my old Renegage and i would put it up against anyother muzzleloader.
Having that round/powder combo that you know is on is an awesome thing. I haven’t shot anything running a 54. I assume your rifle uses the #11 caps. Have you had a lot of trouble with those? What little experience I have isn’t awesome when it comes to caps. Glad to hear you have a nail driver!! Thanks for watching
@@suburbanhunt3653 I make my own caps for plinking and save my factory ones for hunting. Next time you are shootin lead bullets try putting a little RCBS case lube on them, it tightens my groups up alot. If you shoot a percussion revolver use 2 or 3 drops on top instead of grease or crisco, never get chain fires. After shooting check the end of your barrel and it will be there. Ive shot muzzleloaders for almost 60yrs and it works great on patches also. A bottle goes a long way, easy to pack and does away with the mess. Try it and you will love it.
@@Jim-m1t I have heard about people making their own primers but I've never really looked into doing it. I think that would be interesting to know how to do.
@@suburbanhunt3653 i get my primer compound from," SHARP SHOOTERS" costs $20 . Never tried it but you could probably reload your 209 primers if you had to. They sell a thing to make percussion caps out of beer cans for $50. I make most of mine out of the desposable heavy aluminum pie pans. Just cut a small circle and shape it on a nipple, put in primer compound, put 1 or 2 drops of acetone in and stir with a needle. Set and let dry. Ready to go.
thanks for the info just got my black power rifle in. its just like your. i hoping to fill my tags this year!
Awesome. CVA makes a great product. Just a matter of seeing what combo works best. I hope these videos will help you out. Thanks for watching
Man you can’t complain about those groups awesome 👍
Thank you. Thank you for watching.
Hard to find but Triple 7 comes in 60 grain pellets too, so two is a 120 Gr. charge. I use them and have good luck but the recoil does suck.
I’ve seen the magnums in the red box that are 60gr. Im are sure that I’ve ever seen regular T7 pellets is 60. Doesn’t mean they don’t exist lord knows there is a lot of options.
@@suburbanhunt3653 I saw a few boxes and bought two. They say 'magnum' on the ox to suck you in, and it worked, LOL.
@@jeffhays1968yes sir. I plan to put the powder through all the projectiles and see how they group compared to T7 and other powders.
@@suburbanhunt3653 Some of the best info out there from you. Keep up the good work, I might even stop hating Powerbelts. maybe not too, lol.
@@jeffhays1968 LMAO. The ELRs about the only ones I plan to use this year. Other then that I’m probably going to land on Hornady after all testing is done
Thompson center does good with them and so does traditions muzzleloaders
Nice! Thank you I’ve only shot CVA so that’s good to know.
Thank You ! That was good information
Thank you for watching.
A load I recommend that I have been shooting is 120 grains of Blackhorn 209 and a powerbelt elr 330 grain. Mine groups very well at 100 yards and it just destroys the deer with that combo.
This is by far the hottest load I’ve heard of for the BH209. Depending on the resolves and velocities at 90 grain I may give it a shot. Thank you the combo and thank you for watching. Also what kind of kick comes with that load?
@@suburbanhunt3653 kicks like a mule but when you are out hunting you don’t feel the kick. I’m shooting mine out of a g4 ultralight from traditions. It may kick hard but it groups well. Easy to clean because of hardly any fouling and just destroys deer. It’s meant as a bear load but does wonders on deer. Make sure you use a shotgun primer instead of the muzzleloader primer. The powder needs a hotter spark to ignite. I run federal 209A and never had a issue
@@coreystoner4129 that makes sense. And I agree a a shoulder buster at the range ain’t nothing with a deer in the scope.
@@suburbanhunt3653 exactly. We withstand but the load was designed for bears up here in pa to put them on their butt but it works well on deer. Furthest that we had one run was 25 yards but she went down hill and was sliding the whole time. We were shocked she even went that far but the tracking job was easy. Blood out both sides. If you have a cvs they make a breech plug just for the Blackhorn 209
@@coreystoner4129 yes sir. Got the plug not long after the getting the Optima V2. I knew I wanted the try the loose powders. I just wasn’t happy with the pellets accuracy. Once I finish up the Fire Star pellets I will be starting the BH209 test. Thanks again for the load any idea what velocity you get from that load?
I've been used the federal bor lock since they come out. I like them I've taken 2 deer with them and my buddy took couple deer with them none of the deer run far
That’s been my experience too. Thank you for watching.
The federal bor lock doesn't like the 150 grain charge get some loose powder and back it down to 85 grains
I have a feeling that I will be using loose powder next season.
Does your Cva manual say not to shoot 150gr? I have a traditions pursuit. The manual and the 777 box say to use 100 but 150gr of white hots run fine. Just curious what you think
CVA manual states, "It is fully magnum capable*. This means that
you can use the “magnum” charge of 150 grains equivalent of pelletized
blackpowder substitutes." I have not had any problems running the 150gr loads of any powder. The powder companies cover their backside by putting 100gr limit or "shoot at your own risk" statements. They have no idea what rifle the charge will go into. I would be careful going over the rifle's owner's manual loads. That's one of the main reasons I went with CVA.
@@suburbanhunt3653 I would have to say I agree with you. Great explanation. Thank you.
Powerbelts are very soft. Using 150 gr causes huge over expansion and poor if any penetration. I would stick to Hornady, Federal bore lock, Thor or Barnes.
I have to agree. Once I get through these powders I’m looking and doing a separate Thor test. These videos are mainly for accuracy test. You are of course right killing vs wounding is by far the more important aspect. Thank you for watching. I will continue using the Optima and bringing my results to you
I’m not saying they aren’t soft but I’m running the 245 power belt and not had any problems
There's not a load guide in the manual? My Knight likes 120 grains minimum for any heavy load according to its manual. I'd say try 120 but you'd need to use loose.
If memory serves there were some loads in the “manual” that came with the CVA Optima V2 but I don’t recall any with loose powder. They had loads for White Hots and Power Belts but I don’t recall any for loose powder. I will be double checking. 120gr for any heavy load? Anything above 290gr or 300gr? Did they explain what was considered a “heavy” load? This is very interesting. Does Knight have better load data? So many questions. Thank you for your comment!!!! And thank you for watching.
Man, I shoot the 290gr power belt over 3) 777 pellets. The recoil is ridiculous, but so are the groups! It’s a stake driver.
It’s a CVA wolf. CVA has it all figured out.
That’s awesome. I do love my CVA!!! I’ve had the Wolf and the Optima V2. Both dear slayers in their owe right!!!. Thank for watching
Those federal Bor Lock bullets are kind of finicky depending on what gun you are using
I’ve noticed that changing to powders they kinda to the same. But man that blood trail was crazy.
My tradition strikerfire says not to use 150 gr of pellets. Wish I could.
Then I would suggest the Hornadys. They out performed everything else. Thank you for watching and good luck out there.
Get a lead sled
Good idea. Thanks for watching
muzzle loader.... where are the REAL guns :/
You have only to look further into our library of videos. Check out the Hatson video. We use a 12 gauge to cut a 4x4 in half 😁