First we will discuss the load. This is recommended straight from Thompson Center Service Center...
and I quote,"The .50 caliber Omega, Black Diamond, Wildcat, Black Mountain Magnum, Fire Storm caplock and 209X50 Encore have the 1-28" rifling twist rate. We suggest the use of the T/C Shockwave sabots #8242 with two or three .50 caliber 50 grain Pyrodex Pellets for the best accuracy."
I have the T/C Black Diamond XR with a 1.5 X 4.5 32mm Bushnell Banner Dusk to Dawn Shotgun Scope and weaver mounts on it. Same barrel as you basically. I had written them for some technical advise on loads and that quote was what they replied with. They actually are right on the money. I can load 100 grains of loose Pyrodex RS and a 250 grain T/C Shockwave (which is nothing more then a Hornady 250 grain .452 diameter SST) and shoot fantastic groups. The other day I fired the first shot off shooting sticks mind you. Swabbed the barrel and fired the second shot and could not see the hit until I looked on the back of the cardboard and realized there were two holes in the bullseye. The third shot humped the first one/two. This load will hold true all the way up to 120 grains of loose Pyrodex RS but after that it does start to spread a little. Believe me there is nothing that will take a 120 grain load and not get real damaged.
The Black Diamond will also shoot LEE R.E.A.L. 320 grain conicals excellent, and T/C Cheapshots, T/C maxi balls, just about anything you want to stuff down it. So if you want to only get a few items for now here is what I would suggest....
T/C 250 grain Shockwaves with their own sabots. Comes in a 30 pack.
T/C 240 grain Cheapshots with their own sabots. Comes in a 30 pack.
1- .50 caliber brass cleaning brush
1- .50 caliber super jag
a short ball starter
209 primers (I shoot winchester. There are other brands out there)
1 pound of Pyrodex RS or 1 pound of Triple Se7en (remember T-7 is 15% stronger then Pyrodex so adjust your loads accordingly 85 VS 100)
1 powder measure (get the plastic see through kind with the funnel on the top they are the most accurate)
1 quart of denatured alcohol from the hardware store for swabbing the barrel between shots
2 packs of #100 count - 2.5 inch patches (be sure and save them, you can wash them in a bucket of water if you want and reuse them until they wear out)
a bottle of solvent that removes rust, copper, lead, and plastic. I use Birchwood Casey Bore Scrubber. Hoppies Bench Rest is also very good.
a bottle or can of gun oil. Here I would recommend Rem Oil or I use Birchwood Casey Sheath. This is excellent stuff.
T/C breech plug grease
a T/C rugged rod - there is nothing more important then a good range rod and you will learn this real fast if you do not have one
ear protection- I use sonic plugs
eye protection- shooting glasses
That should about do it for you. After you have read the manual twice, then clean the rifle real good from top to bottom. Before you load it for the first time, shoot a primer or two through the gun to clear it all out. I then take a patch of denatured alcohol and swab the barrel both sides of the patch. Then two dry ones both sides...
Measure out 80 grains of Pyrodex or 70 or the 777 powder, seat your sabot, and set it with the short starter, set the whole thing with the range rod and get ready to become addicted to something for the rest of your life...
See what kind of group you have and just keep moving up every three shots in 5 grain amounts until you get the group you like that is nice and tight. Like I said, mine came around perfect at 85 grains of Triple Se7en and 100 grain of Pyrodex RS. I could move the charge higher if I wanted but there is no need to waste powder. A lot of people including myself swab between each shot with a denatured alcohol or some such cleaner, like (some use) windex, spit, water, T/C #13 bore cleaner, in the warmer weather I use 50/50 denatured alcohol and windshield washer fluid...
One other point, lube the breech plug threads and the threads in the rifle itself. There is no need to over tighten the breech plug. They will sieze on you if you set them too tight to begin with. After about five shots, take your breech plug wrench and loosen the nipple and the plug to make sure they are moving. That will keep them from seizing. When your done shooting for the day, loosen that breech plug right away, even if you are not going to clean right away.
Good luck with your rifle. You have an excellent rifle there....
