CVA Introduces the XP & XP-SB Muzzleloader: A Modernized Optima Design Built for Today’s Shooter

January 21, 2026
11:39 am

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CVA just dropped a game-changer with the XP and XP-SB muzzleloaders, breathing fresh life into their legendary Optima platform that's been a staple for hunters chasing big game across food plots and rugged backcountry. These aren't just tweaks—they're a full modernization with bolt-on cheek risers, adjustable length-of-pull spacers, and modular components that let shooters dial in a custom fit without a gunsmith. Chambered in reliable .50 caliber, you get choices between an 18-inch barrel for tight woods maneuvering or a 26-inch for long-range precision, all while keeping the lightweight, durable nitride finish that shrugs off the elements. It's CVA saying, Muzzleloading doesn't have to feel like stepping back to the 1800s, and delivering with ergonomics that rival centerfire rifles. What makes this a big deal for the 2A community? Muzzleloaders have long been the unsung heroes of affordable, high-performance hunting—legal in more states during primitive seasons, often without the serial number scrutiny of modern firearms, and now evolving to compete head-on with smokeless options. The XP series amps up modularity, letting you swap parts like buttstocks or rails for optics and bipods, which means better accuracy from the get-go and less frustration for newbies or finicky shooters. In a world where anti-gun regs tighten on semi-autos, this push toward customizable blackpowder platforms reinforces muzzleloaders as a resilient 2A foothold—versatile for youth, women, or anyone prioritizing shot placement over magazine dumps. CVA's betting on today's shooter who demands precision without compromise, and if sales mirror the Optima's legacy, expect these to fly off shelves come fall. The implications ripple wider: as inline muzzleloaders like the XP bridge the gap to modern rifles, they empower more Americans to engage in self-reliant hunting traditions, sidestepping urban ammo shortages or FUDD-era restrictions. Pair one with a quality scope, and you're sub-MOA capable at 200 yards—proving blackpowder tech isn't frozen in time. For 2A enthusiasts, it's a reminder to stock up on these evolutions before the next season, because CVA's XP lineup isn't just an upgrade; it's muzzleloading's declaration of independence in an ever-shifting firearms landscape.

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CVA just dropped a game-changer with the XP and XP-SB muzzleloaders, breathing fresh life into their legendary Optima platform that’s been a staple for hunters chasing big game across food plots and rugged backcountry. These aren’t just tweaks—they’re a full modernization with bolt-on cheek risers, adjustable length-of-pull spacers, and modular components that let shooters dial in a custom fit without a gunsmith. Chambered in reliable .50 caliber, you get choices between an 18-inch barrel for tight woods maneuvering or a 26-inch for long-range precision, all while keeping the lightweight, durable nitride finish that shrugs off the elements. It’s CVA saying, Muzzleloading doesn’t have to feel like stepping back to the 1800s, and delivering with ergonomics that rival centerfire rifles.

What makes this a big deal for the 2A community? Muzzleloaders have long been the unsung heroes of affordable, high-performance hunting—legal in more states during primitive seasons, often without the serial number scrutiny of modern firearms, and now evolving to compete head-on with smokeless options. The XP series amps up modularity, letting you swap parts like buttstocks or rails for optics and bipods, which means better accuracy from the get-go and less frustration for newbies or finicky shooters. In a world where anti-gun regs tighten on semi-autos, this push toward customizable blackpowder platforms reinforces muzzleloaders as a resilient 2A foothold—versatile for youth, women, or anyone prioritizing shot placement over magazine dumps. CVA’s betting on today’s shooter who demands precision without compromise, and if sales mirror the Optima’s legacy, expect these to fly off shelves come fall.

The implications ripple wider: as inline muzzleloaders like the XP bridge the gap to modern rifles, they empower more Americans to engage in self-reliant hunting traditions, sidestepping urban ammo shortages or FUDD-era restrictions. Pair one with a quality scope, and you’re sub-MOA capable at 200 yards—proving blackpowder tech isn’t frozen in time. For 2A enthusiasts, it’s a reminder to stock up on these evolutions before the next season, because CVA’s XP lineup isn’t just an upgrade; it’s muzzleloading’s declaration of independence in an ever-shifting firearms landscape.

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