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How to Hunt With a CVA Optima Elite Centerfire

The CVA Optima Elite Centerfire is actually two rifles in one. The standard Optima is a black powder rifle, but with a quick change of barrels it becomes a centerfire rifle using a normal rifle cartridge. The single-shot, break-action centerfire rifle is sufficiently accurate to take large animals with one shot. Many states have limited rifle hunting for deer and other game animals so know the law before taking the Optima out to the field.

Things You'll Need

Bench rest
Variety of .308 cartridges
Targets

Instructions

- 1
  Zero in the rifle before taking it to the field. Set up a target at 25 yards and with the rifle on a bench rest, shoot at the bull's-eye. CVA suggests using various cartridges to see which works the best with your rifle.
- 2
  Note where the bullet hit in relation to the bull's-eye and adjust the back sight in the direction the bullet should go. For example, if bullet hit lower than the bull's-eye, the move the back sight up just a little.
- 3
  Continue to shoot and adjust the back sight until you are consistently hitting the bull's-eye.
- 4
  Move to the 100 yard range and start over with a new target. Continue adjusting the back sight until you are placing the bullet on the bull's-eye.
- 5
  Hunt game the .308 cartridge will take down such as coyotes, feral swine, deer and elk.
- 6
  Plan your shots carefully while hunting. The single-shot capability of the Optima gives you no backup or second shot. Your first must do the trick.
- 7
  Clear away shooting lanes to prevent a tree limb or brush from interfering with your shot or shooting angles.
- 8
  Know your limitations and abide by them. If you cannot take a shot at over 100 yards with full confidence that you can take the animal with one shot then pass it by for another time.

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