TXFRNTLDER
Sorry to hear that it really wasn't a fun and exciting experiance, but you know when we all started some of sidn't have the advantage ofhaving a qualified friend around to help at the shooting site. I know one instance that I would like to think made the difference. I drove over to Kennewick and took a friend shooting with me, it made all the difference in the world, I'd like to think, in his perception of shooting ML's... you just had your first...
What did you do to your barrel before you went shooting? Did you really clean it well? That can have a big difference...
Then I would suggest you start shooting at 25 yards - check the scope and make sure everything is snug... if you can not get a pattern at 25 take the scope off and use the open sites if it has any. There is no use doing anything if you can not get a pattern at @25. A check you could do set a target @ 25 remove the breech plug set the gun on bags - something stable - then look through the bore center the target in the bore - then with out moving the gun check the scope and adjust as necessary - check it more than one time....
Shooting... shoot a clean bore - try not to have much if any oil in the bore. There is nothing wrong with your T7 once you become familiar with it's characteristics. Run a SLIGHTLY damp patch (I use regular windex) up and down in the barrel - use short quick strokes until you hit the bottom of the barrel or the top of the breech plug.... Then run a dry patch flip it over and run it again or if it comes out wet run another - make sure you hear the air pushing out of your breech plug on the down stokes - the air should sound clean and dry... You should not need to pop caps in between shots - just ge the bore dry and listen for dry air out the nipple.. Once you get your bore really broken in you will probably be able to load more than one PB without swabbing but it is going to take you awhile to get your bore broken in.
Make sure you are taking care of your breech plug also - do not let it seize on you.
Personally I would get a Range Rod, an extra long rod with a handle, just leave your regular rod in your gun when shooting at the range it should just be an ornament.
Do the 25 yard thing then go to 50 yards... Keep asking questions... But do not give up and do not get frustrated yet.
The powerbelt thing is still the best way to go to start shooting - they are expensive but it is one less element you need to worry about until you become more familiar with your gun.
Next time at Bass Pro - look and see if they have packages of TC Mag Express sabots (just the sabot no bullets), should be black ones for a .451/.452 bullet) into a 50 cal gun...
Using the powder measure - just pour the powder in to the top cut if off with the slide and pour it in the barrel - try to do the same thing the same way every time.
Good luck - keep talking...
mike