Seems a common problem with T/C that the bores are tight. Never oil the sabot. Is one reason i gave up on them and switched guns. Too hard to get a second bullet down and don't have time to swab between shots on a deer if ever needed. I am sure there are some bullet combo that works ok or like some do use a past and lap the barrel. Just not worth the problems for me. I do have a t/C Hawken but is a patched round ball which i can control ok.