I can't find either one anywhere. Anyone have a lead on where I can pick one up?

Fleet Farm in Brooklyn Park MN has a CVA. Not sure if they would ship to a ffl or lgs.

The factory Encore ML pistol barrels haven't been made in a long time.

I've found two websites where you could buy an Optima. One's a package deal, while another is just the gun:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/981712...synthetic-stock
https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/camo-cva-optima-v2-pistol-pp222sm.html

It's kind of concerning these are the only ones I could find on some of the more major sites. I hope they haven't been discontinued.

Bullberry Barrel Works still offers pistol length muzzleloader barrels for the Encore and Contender. Kind of pricey, but it's your only option if you want a muzzleloader Encore pistol right now.

https://www.bullberry.com/black-powder-barrels

I have the CVA Optima V2 pistol. It is one hell of a lot of fun! It has also been very accurate with several different load combinations. Haven't had a chance to use it hunting yet. I can tell you 100 grains of loose pyrodex FFg in it is a fun handful!

-Eric-

I have a CVA Optima V2bthat I have killed 5 deer with in the last four seasons. I love mine.

The CVA may indeed be the way I go. Appreciate the advice and Chance, I'll check out the links you gave.

Hurry up and buy one if you're going to. CVA has discontinued the Optima pistol.

Just read that. Thanks.

I just bought a CVA ML last night. What kind of loads are you guys using in yours?

I bought my son one last year and he's shoot'n 100grs of pyrodex and 250WFN in a sabot - it shoots extremely well!

I am shooting 90 grains of blackhorn 209 behind a 240 xtp in a sabat and getting great groups.

Sounds like most are shooting loose powder. Anyone try pellets?

Hope I'm not hi-jacking this thread...

I shot two 50 grain pellets of powderdex for two seasons and it worked well.

I tried two 50 grain 777 pellets with a 300 grain sabot XTP. OUCH! I had some RS (same as 2ff) that I tried next. Shot both 300 grain XTP's snd 250 grain SST's with 75 grains. Decent accuracy and much easier on my hands.

When I use it up I will look at getting some Blackhorn.

Very simple and fun to shoot.

I shoot the Encore 209x50 and use 70grns volume, 777 loose powder, 245grn Powerbelt with 777 primers.
It shoots 2" high at 50yd and on at 100yds. Never had any deer walk off from this load. Never shot one past 70 yards.

This season I switched to 85 grains of Blackhorn behind a 240 TC Cheap Shot all lead hollow point. It groups well. I took a seven point whitetail at 71 yards with it this year.

Match Grade Machine has recently come out with pistol length muzzle loading barrels for both the Contender and Encore. Just another option to consider.