I first set up my CVA Endura with a 4-24x50 Vortex Strike Eagle to dial in an accurate load before going to a 1x optic for legal hunting in Utah.
The day after I received my Endura I was at the range. The first load I tried was the load that shot well in my Paramount, 105 Gr Blackhorn 209 with 285 ELR Powerbelt. This load did not shoot well at all, with an 11-inch 3-shot group at 100 yards. I tried 98 Gr and it grouped "better", in the 2.5 to 5-inch group size. Going up to 112 Gr tightened up the grouping to a 3/4" 3-shot group, but I'm still getting fliers out to 1.5 inches.
In the middle of testing loads with the 285 ELR Powerbelt, I found that the action wasn't bedded and could move all over the place in the stock, so I bedded the action.
I left the trigger set as it came from the factory, that being right around 2 1/2 pounds. This is right where I like all of my hunting rifles to be.
I believe the bore diameter is a little larger than the Paramount bore's diameter and I possibly need more pressure to get the bullet to expand and engage into the riflings better. I did pull a plastic skirt off one of the Powerbelt 285 ELR bullets and placed the bullet in the muzzle and it free-fell to the bottom.
With accuracy not amazing, I finally decided to try Arrowhead XLD bullets that you custom-size to fit your muzzleloader's specific bore. These bullets are really pricey, but I soon found out they are worth it. I purchased the Arrowhead XLD 300 Gr with 0.453 diameter and the Swinglock Adjustable Smooth Sizing Die in the 45cal + (CVA Endura) size.
It took a minute to figure out how to size the bullets and get the right size for my Endura. Ultimately, my die is set to 12, and the bullets are being sized to around 0.420 inches in diameter. I recommend watching this video to learn how to size the Arrowhead bullets.
My first three shots are with varying bullet sizing to get the bullet to fit down the barrel and the first shot was on a clean bore. Even with the variations in bullet diameter and clean vs fouled barrel, it still shot a sub-MOA group. My next three shots, after adjusting the scope, measure 0.245 inches. This is one of the best groups with any rifle I have ever shot! Holy Smokes! Yes, the Arrowhead bullets are worth the money.
If you like this style of target, you can download and print your own here: Free Rifle Target Downloads
Now I'm waiting on my dial-up turret Western Optics Dial-Up 1x scope to show up and I'll see how far out I can hit targets with a 1x scope on this muzzleloader.