Well my first trip to the range (5 frustrating hours worth) was less than satisfying. Here is a run down of my equipment 50cal TC Bone Collector Triumph, BH209, Remington STS primers, cleaned after ecery shot (figured when I go to shoot a deer it will be with a clean barrel so might as well duplicate the shot). I was on a rest and dont pull the trigger On a side note _ i had no idea how time consuming this sport is with all the cleaning etc - wow. (it is fun but I cant say I want to go through much more of this situation). Once I get it dialed in I will find it much more enjoyable

I was cleaning the bore and breech plug with Hornady's "One Shot Muzzleloader Cleaner". Breechplug's hole was cleaned with pipe cleaners and no carbon build up was allowed.

Scope was not an issue in this outing as it stayed firm to mounts

Ok so before firing the first shot I cleaned the heck out of the barrel with JB compound (per directions) and finished with dry patches etc. If people dont clean the heck out of their barrel I can see why they have a tough time loading some sabbots - no idea what they put in theose barrels after they are made but man it was nasty.

Now it is time to set up at 50 to get me in the neighborhood before moving back to 100yds. I load 90grains by volume and load the Barnes 250gr TEZ using the blue sabbot included with bullets. I was expecting it to be really tough to push down but it seemed to easy. I wasnt able to push it down with one hand by any stretch but it just wasnt the REALLY snug fit I was expecting. So first three shots get me there> i am thinking ok this is going to be good. So then I move to 100.

Well everything goes to crap at this point. Group completely opens up with 90grains looks like a chicken relieving hoimself on the target. So I up it to 100grains (keep in mind this is by volume). So I take about 6 more shots and the group looked better but a 3" -4" (two shots did touch each other) but no consistency - this is NOT what I want. I then try the 250 gr TEZ in a crush rib (black) harvestor it slides in wayyyy to easy and the shot is way off the mark - was no need to shoot another one of these (I could have pushed that one down with one hand).

I then tried the 250 TEZ in the black Harvestor (unribbed) EZ load sabbot - it too felt to loose (a tad easier than the blue Barnes sabbot that came with the TEZ).

So then I opened the pack of 300grain TC XTP Mag and used the sabot from that pack. It was more snug than the blues and fit the best. The shot should have been an inch high but hit exact dead center. I didnt have time to clean so loaded up another and that shot went 1" lower and two inches right.

So needless to say I am worn out....... So I need help from ya'll.

It would seem to me that once I get the appropriate sabbot that I can start playing with different grain and types of bullets as well as primers. Am I on the right track????? I know all MZ's need to have a really tight fitting sabot - especially using BH209. I didnt mess around with the 300grain TC XTP Mags cause it seemed pointless if I was uncomfortable in the fit of the sabbot.

So what are your thoughts? What is the next size up on the sabbot list based on the ones that come with the TC XTP Mags? I have no idea what size it is because there is no info about the sabbots on the conatiner.

So for being so long winded but wanted to give you as much info as possible so you can help steer me in the right direction. Thank you all in advance.

David