Dave, I got a Omega .50 last year just before the shotgun season started. worked up to 100gr. Pyrodex RS loose powder with T/C maxi-ball 320gr. and got 3 doe and 6pt. (50 yrd. to 150yrd.)the first week of shotgun season and I don' t believe I' ll take a shotgun out again. It was just great snow storm and ice storm did not make a differance. Hope you enjoy as much as i did and do this gun.