Hi Woodsman66,

I had same experience with my new T/C Omega this last fall -- tight barrel. First thing is to slug your barrel and find the land and groove diameters. My Omega's groove was 0.509", but T/C barrels vary quite a bit so you must measure your barrel for yourself. Next measure the diameter across the sabot with bullet (measure across the bullet sides, not the base or skirt of the sabot). The T/C Shockwaves (same as Hornady SSTs) with the T/C sabot measured 0.509" which is a very tight fit and leaves no room for fouling. The same bullet with an MMP sabot measured about 0.507", and the Harvester measured 0.504". Try MMP or Harvester sabots for easier loading.

Like MLKeith, I had the dreaded crud ring in an old .54 Knight Mark 85, and then in the .50 Omega. Switching to Black Mag 3 solved the problem.