Optima Pro

[dukmn80]

Hey guys, I'm new to blackpowder and I'm looking for a gun.  I was looking at an Optima Pro in black/blued.  I was wondering what you guys think of them.  Also, I was wondering if the breech plug comes out for when you are cleaning the gun?  

All opinions are appreciated.

[Lane]

I would not recomend that brand of rifle.  If you must get it, do not use more than 100grns of powder/pellets.

How bout this guy:

NEF Sidekick-American made Stainless Steel that won't brake your bank account! :-)

[UtahRob]

My son has a optima and he loves it.
He has a red dot on it and It shoots very accurate and He out shoots my older son who has a Omega.

http://www.deerhuntingchat.com/viewtopic.php?t=776

[slave]

I have seen some nice groups shot with one. Not bad to clean.

[dukmn80]

I only plan on shooting 100 grains of pellets.  Nothing set on what brand of powder or bullets yet.  I'll need advice on that at a later date.

I really like it because of the stock.  I wanted either one with a drop pistol grip style (like the optima), or a thumbhole stock.  I was looking at the omega, but they are a bit high priced for me with the thumbhole stock.

Lane, why would you not recomend a CVA Optima Pro?

[Lane]

I’ve used CVA Maghunters 45 and 50 cal, Kodiak 45 cal, and fired my buddy's Optima for 4 years.  I've lapped the barrels of 2 of my CVA's.  They were all tack drivers.

Since the recent Spanish Barrel controversy I was still pro CVA products, until there was the Kodiak barrel failure/accident as reported by Randy Wakeman.  That and other CVA failed barrels pushed me past my comfort zone.

 http://modernmuzzleloader.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1428


I took back my son's Kodiak and my daughters Maghunter and replaced them all with Stainless Steel 45cal Knight Disc Elites that were on sale thru Basspro online ($250 each).  I have also lapped one of the Elite's barrels, and I can tell you that the Green Mountain SS Barrel is about 3x better/harder than CVA barrels.  

I've dropped my Maghunter on the garage floor accidentally, and left a large dent/ding/gash in the false crown.  Also dropped one of the Elites (Mine :eek: ) with hardly a scratch. (I hope to be drop free someday :oops: )

IMHO it all comes down to safety and peace of mind.  I couldn’t bear the thought of my children squeezing the trigger of a CVA product.  We have 3 Disc Elites and will never fire another CVA until that company comes up to verifiable and responsible standards.

[elkstalkr]

I agree with Lane for the same reasons.  I reccommend to all newbies who want to buy an affordable ML purchase a NEF.  Great guns.