HuntingNet.com Forums - Encore vs CVA Optima (2024)

FAQs

Is the CVA Optima accurate? ›

In our family, we shoot scoped CVA Optimas, which are mechanically identical to the Accuras. They're not F-Class accurate at distance, but they've never cost us a kill. Furthest kill with a muzzy we've had was my buck last year at 260 yards on a steep downhill quartering away shot.

Every barrel that we use today is also made in Bergara at the BERGARA BARRELS factory, which, like CVA, is wholly owned by our parent company.

The CVA Accura models (LR, V2 & MR) come standard with a match-grade adjustable trigger. This is trigger adjustable from 3 to 6.75 pounds. The CVA Optima V2 offers a neutral center-of-gravity trigger that is not adjustable.

The Optima, whether Pro or Elite, has served as CVA's mid-priced break-action muzzleloader since 2002.

The New CVA® Optima V2 Long Range™ can reach out to 250 accurately with the longer barrel.

MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM LOADS FOR OPTIMA V-2 RIFLE

CVA recommends a minimum of 50 grains, by volume, of blackpowder or blackpowder substitute in your CVA muzzleloader rifle. The maximum load in CVA break-action guns, and any other CVA in-line gun designated as a “Magnum” is 150 grains by volume.

Do any current models have interchangeable barrels? No, we are no longer producing multi-caliber guns. Do you sell replacement centerfire barrels for my CVA? No.

The Scout TD Compact features a 20-inch fluted stainless steel barrel. CVA is owned by BPI, the same Lawrenceville, Georgia, company that owns Bergara. The latter is famous for its barrel making, and all CVA barrels are made at Bergara's factory.

Equipped with a 26” or 28” barrel, the OPTIMA V2 is both easy to maneuver in the tree stand and comfortable to carry in the mountains. It comes standard with a DuraSight^® DEAD-ON^™ one-piece scope mount or DuraSight fiber optic sights, and CVA's solid aluminum PalmSaver^™ ramrod.

Just about all Muzzle loaders are safe with 150 grains of powder now days, just as most are a big improvement over what they were 20 years ago. CVA, TRADITIONS, TC are all good muzzle loaders and all shoot very well with the right bullet and charge.

What primers for CVA Optima? ›

The integrated 209 primer ignition system ensures a consistent spark and reliable performance.

It's a 50-caliber handgun anyone can shoot, right-handed or left-handed.

Best Overall: CVA Accura V2

At just over seven pounds, the V2 is a joy to carry all day, but not so light that she's whippy and uncontrollable. At the heart of the V2 is the weather-resistant nitride-treated Bergara barrel, a component obviously key to the rifle's performance.

“We first introduced the Optima in 2003,” said Dudley McGarity, CEO for the Georgia-based Blackpowder Products, Inc. (BPI), umbrella company to CVA. “This was the turning point for CVA in terms of unit sales. Bottom line is the Optima rifles were the right guns at the right time.”

This rifle is extremely impressive across the board and not just for a $500 rifle, as it consistently shoots sub-MOA groups at 200 yards and well beyond.

The Accura LR boasts a 300-yard shooting capability by providing better velocity through its 30" Nitride-treated Bergara barrel. There are many other variables that can affect the bullet velocity and the first variable to test was the type of powder.

If you're really trying to see what your gun will do at the range, you need to bring a cleaning kit with you. Muzzleloader gunk starts affecting accuracy after a few shots (and makes them difficult to load). When I'm on the range, I swab my barrel with a cleaning patch, followed by a dry patch, every three shots.

If you hit it right and use the right projectile and powder charge you can probably cleanly kill a deer at up to 250 yards.