- Joined
- Sep 1, 2006
- Messages
- 255
- Reaction score
- 228
I took the day off for the Labor day weekend and decided to make a trip to the range. My primary reason for going was to sight in a new 45-70 I purchased the other week but decided to take the CVA Optima V2 pistol along to run some shots through the chronograph. I hadn't chrono'd my hunting load from last season and wanted to see what it was clocking plus see what a little tweak in load volume would do.
It was a beautiful morning to shoot. Temp was in the low/mid 70's. Humidity was low. I'm shooting a CVA Optima V2 pistol sporting a 2x20 Nikon Force XR pistol scope. The breach plug is a modified plug by Ron Laughlin using savage vent liners. All shots were at 50 yards, off a rest, utilizing BH209 (measured by volume) and cci magnum 209 primers. The bullet is a 44 cal 225 gr. Barnes XPB paired with a Harvester crush rib sabot. I fired three shots through the chronograph with 85 gr and ended up shooting four shots using 90 gr due to an issue with the chrono on the third shot. Below is the data from the chrono readings along with the 90 gr, four shot target. The first three shots were right together and the fourth shot blew the group out just a bit. I rushed the shot and knew it when I pulled the trigger. I'm still happy though. The more I shoot this pistol, the more impressed I am with it.
85 gr BH209 w/ 225 gr. Barnes XPB And Harvester crush rib......Average 3 shots = 1561 fps
1. 1540 fps
2. 1578
3. 1565
90 gr BH209 w/ 225 gr. Barnes XPB And Harvester crush rib.....Average 3 shots = 1617 fps
1. 1608 fps
2. 1642
3. Error....muzzle blast knocked the front sun screen off the chrono...loll
4. 1603
The three shot group for the 85 gr load was similar to the 90 gr load....maybe a hair larger. I hunted with 85 grs last season but will be upping it to 90 grs for this Fall. A little extra power is never a bad thing when it still groups like that.
It was a beautiful morning to shoot. Temp was in the low/mid 70's. Humidity was low. I'm shooting a CVA Optima V2 pistol sporting a 2x20 Nikon Force XR pistol scope. The breach plug is a modified plug by Ron Laughlin using savage vent liners. All shots were at 50 yards, off a rest, utilizing BH209 (measured by volume) and cci magnum 209 primers. The bullet is a 44 cal 225 gr. Barnes XPB paired with a Harvester crush rib sabot. I fired three shots through the chronograph with 85 gr and ended up shooting four shots using 90 gr due to an issue with the chrono on the third shot. Below is the data from the chrono readings along with the 90 gr, four shot target. The first three shots were right together and the fourth shot blew the group out just a bit. I rushed the shot and knew it when I pulled the trigger. I'm still happy though. The more I shoot this pistol, the more impressed I am with it.
85 gr BH209 w/ 225 gr. Barnes XPB And Harvester crush rib......Average 3 shots = 1561 fps
1. 1540 fps
2. 1578
3. 1565
90 gr BH209 w/ 225 gr. Barnes XPB And Harvester crush rib.....Average 3 shots = 1617 fps
1. 1608 fps
2. 1642
3. Error....muzzle blast knocked the front sun screen off the chrono...loll
4. 1603
The three shot group for the 85 gr load was similar to the 90 gr load....maybe a hair larger. I hunted with 85 grs last season but will be upping it to 90 grs for this Fall. A little extra power is never a bad thing when it still groups like that.