just bought a new optima with the nickle barrel

[BigAl1781]

im gonna shoot either 90 or 100 grains of 777 loose not pellets,,which bullets should i try 1st,,,im a big fan of all lead bullets like maximags i love them but has anyone shot them in this gun?? i also wont shoot a muzzleloader out past 100yards so what bullet do you reccomend?? ive got a week to figure it out

[GWSmith]

Actually I would start out using a "Full Bore" sized bullet...whatever size your rifle is.
Possibly even try out the PowerBelts.
It took my CVA Wolf about 40 of the full bore sized bullets before the groups started to shrink.
Now I shoot TC's Cheap Shot Sabots(all lead XTP bullet) and getting groups 1-1/4" @ 100yds.

[Jeramie]

Im shooting a Wolf this year too. They are basically the Optima with a cheaper Stock and trigger.

I agree with Gary, the TC Sabots are very accurate. Ive actually shot them out of a lot of ML'ers. I use to pick them up to get the gun sighted in and then switch to something like Hornady. To be honest the TC was dead on the money. I was using an old door to hole my target once. My very last shot I put the lead through the door handle at 100yds.

Im pretty sure your Optima is a magnum. I think they've pretty much switched them all to mags. With the right bullet you can easily reach out past 100yds. Ml'ers are quickly becoming long range guns but you need to know your limits. You may be able to shoot a rifle that far but practice to see how much your load will drop at anything over 100. Personally im setting about 3.5" high at 100yds and im good to 200yds. I wont have that long of a shot but I will not hesitate to take a 150yd shot.

Today's Ml'ers are really impressive. Ive seen hunting shows recently where people are taking 250yd shots on Mule Deer like its nothing. Again, they know their equipment and have to get into effective range. Once you're there the rifle can do the rest.

[BigAl1781]

i shot it today i used 120grain of jim shockleys gold and a tc 300grain plastic tip superglide its dead on at 25 and around 2 inches high at 50 didnt have time to shoot any further it was getting dark,, wonder where it will hit at 76 and 100??