CVA Optima XP SB: Modern Muzzleloader Review
CVA Optima XP SB: Modern Muzzleloader Review. CVA's Optima XP SB is a compact, modern muzzleloader with AR-style ergonomics and tactical features. Full review, accuracy testing, and specs. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://greyhive.com#organization", "name": "Greyhive", "url": "https://greyhive.com", "description": "Greyhive is a censorship-resistant video platform for the firearms, 2A, hunting, and outdoor industries — where creators build, review, and monetize unfiltered content.", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://greyhive.com/static/uploads/images/ae198483-01c9-44b4-a16a-03f516ceaf66.svg", "width": 512, "height": 512 }, "sameAs": [ "https://x.com/greyhive", "https://www.instagram.com/greyhive/", "https://www.youtube.com/@Greyhive", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/greyhive/" ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://greyhive.com#website", "url": "https://greyhive.com", "name": "Greyhive", "description": "Greyhive is a censorship-resistant video platform for the firearms, 2A, hunting, and outdoor industries — where creators build, review, and monetize unfiltered content.", "publisher": { "@id": "https://greyhive.com#organization" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://greyhive.com/c/mud_lake_ranch#person", "name": "Mud Lake Ranch", "url": "https://greyhive.com/c/mud_lake_ranch", "description": "Mud Lake Ranch is a Greyhive creator producing original 2A, firearms, hunting, and outdoor content.", "image": "https://greyhive.com/lazy-static/avatars/f346142b-4346-4463-a41e-b599c78375be.png" }, { "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://greyhive.com/blog/cva-optima-xp-sb-muzzleloader-review#article", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://greyhive.com#website" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://greyhive.com/blog/cva-optima-xp-sb-muzzleloader-review" }, "url": "https://greyhive.com/blog/cva-optima-xp-sb-muzzleloader-review", "headline": "CVA Optima XP SB: Modern Muzzleloader Review", "name": "CVA Optima XP SB: Modern Muzzleloader Review", "description": "CVA's Optima XP SB is a compact, modern muzzleloader with AR-style ergonomics and tactical features. Full review, accuracy testing, and specs.", "articleSection": "Gun Reviews", "articleBody": "The CVA Optima XP SB is a modern inline muzzleloader built on AR-pattern ergonomics — an 18-inch .50 caliber barrel, a Picatinny rail, a pistol grip with QD cups, and a buttstock that mounts to a standard mil-spec buffer tube. It was released at the 2026 show, and it is the shortest muzzleloader most hunters will ever pick up. In his range review on Greyhive, Jared from Mud Lake Ranch put the Optima XP SB through loading, shooting, and a full practicality breakdown — and topped it with a SIG Tango 1-6x24 LPVO, which is not something you usually find bolted to a front-stuffer. \"I shot it several times,\" he said of the accuracy. \"Very nice group. These two are actually touching each other.\" This review covers what the Optima XP SB actually is, how it shoots with a 100-grain Triple Seven charge and 245-grain PowerBelt V2 copper bullets, where the design falls short, and who it's built for. Key Takeaways The CVA Optima XP SB is a .50 caliber inline muzzleloader with an 18-inch barrel — roughly a foot shorter than most traditional muzzleloaders. It uses a standard mil-spec buffer tube, so the AR-style stock can be swapped for a fully adjustable or folding stock. Length of pull adjusts from 28 to 36 cm via hex key (not a quick-release lever) for greater stability, with two cheek riser heights included. Jared's test load was Hodgdon Triple Seven 100 grain with CVA-recommended 245-grain PowerBelt V2 copper bullets; two …