The target file for my Omega X7 contains targets numbered from #1 (on Dec. 29, 2008) to #112 (on Apr. 7, 2012). Those targets were shot with a variety of powders, loads and bullets. Most of them were five-shot groups. That's a lot of information which is now pretty near useless because of the recent barrel bedding job.

For example, prior to bedding the best load for 300 grain XTPs with GOEX FFFg was 85 grains. That is clearly no longer the case, as you will see herein.

Now I get to try a variety of bullets and powders all over again to see what does best. In doing so I figured I may as well start a new file and start with Target #1 just as though it were a new gun.

I have a lot of .452/300 grain XTP Mag bullets on hand. So I went with the full load development routine with them last Saturday, shooting them over GOEX FFFg with Harvester long black sabots. Here's how it went.

First load - 75 Grains / 50 Yards.




Not bad. Let's bump it up to 85 grains.





Not quite as good. How about 95 grains.





Still pretty decent. Not great, but decent. Now for 105 grains.





Now that's what I'm looking for! Let's see if it stays together with ten more grains of powder. Here's 115 grains.





Nope! It's opening up again.

It looks as though 105 grains is the sweet spot. But that one target might have been a lucky fluke. So let's shoot that load again and see if the results hold up.






OH YEAH! That's the load for this bullet.


Let's try it at 75 yards.





Looking good. (Did you notice I took off the Tasco 3x9 scope and put the 4x ProDiamond before shooting that last target?)

Now for the big test - 100 yards.

I shot three targets at 100 yards. All were OK, but none were great. I really expected the groups would be under two-inches, but none were. In fact, each group got a tad larger as I progressed. Maybe shooter fatigue was setting in. Fifty shots is a lot of shooting with a muzzle loader.

Anyway, here are the last three targets for the day. Time to clean the gun and sip a Scotch.