I just ordered a T/C Omega 50 cal. and was wondering if anyone out there who had one could offer suggestions as to optimum sabot;load; and brand of primer. This is my first black powder firearmand I know very little about ballistics.

Welcome to the forum and to the world of Black Powder or Muzzleloaders as some will say....

We have a lot of Omega shooters out there. I am sure you will get a lot of good advise. Some of them shoot real hot loads other shoot rather mild loads. It will all depend I guess on what you want to do with the rifle..

You got a great rifle, and I think you are really going to enjoy yourself. I personally do not own an Omega. I shoot a Black Diamond XR instead, among numerous other rifles...

Good luck with your rifle..

Thanks for the welcome Cayugad. I'm supposed to try and sight it in this weekend with my cousin who suggested that particular rifle and who is extremely knowledgeable about shooting and ballistics. I am hoping to gets some ideas before I go so I don't appear as ignorant of these things as I am. I had no idea of the scope of things that surround black powder shooting. I am still very excited nonetheles to get my new rifle and get started.

Welcome as well!! I will give you a base load assuming you can find what I like. I will give you the substitute bullet right now, 250g Shockwave. I like the Hornaday 265g flatpoint (.429) with the right sabot. In your rifle I would use 110-120g T7 FF (loose) any primer you want and one wet one dry patch between rounds. On a bad day you get three inch groups with the Hornaday 265g Interlock flatpoint. just my cent and a half.

What kind of ranges do you think you might want to be shooting? The T/C Shockwaves in 200 & 250 grain should shoot excellent out of that rifle with anywhere from 100-120 grains of loose FFg powder.

The big thing is to make sure you swab the barrelbetween shots when your working up loads. Use a wet patch and work in short strokes so you do not stick the patch in the barrel. Then follow the wet patch with two dry ones.

Check your breech plug from time to time so it does not seize up. Just make sure it will twist back and fourth. There are a lot of other hints out there. You might want to read some of the back posts.

Good luck with your rifle...

I'm assuming the "right sabot" for that 44-cal bullet is the MMP you're using. I've had no luck with 5-shot groups using the Harvesters at 100 yards with less 777 powder than what you listed.

It drove me away from shooting 44-cal bullets. I now stick with the MMP 40/50s and Harvester 45/50s.

Generally, Omegas are unfussy creatures with powders & bullets. For primers, I suggest the cooler ones if you're going to use 777 powder. They are the new Remington Kleanbore 209s and the CCI (regulars/non-magnums).

For choosing powders, any of the brands will shoot fine with the Omega.... even real blackpowder. The Omega is one of only a few rifle brands that likes three pellets/magnum powder loads.

The rifle likes most sabot/bullets between 180 grains & 400 grains..... so hows that for not being fussy??? With conicals, I've only had 100 yard success with Powerbelts from 245 grains to 405 grains. Some folks here swear by the 460 grain No Excuse conicals in the Omega, but I prefer something a little softer on my shoulder.

The optimum bullet weights are from 240-350. The best powder charges seem to be around 100 grains. Because the Omega stock is a little short, you should consider a scope under 13.5" in length to avoid removing the back sight with low rings/mount. With see-thru rings, any size will work.

There is a small set-screw to loosen when removing the trigger assembly. Only loosen it half-way. The very first time you play with this assembly -- you need to be on a hard floor .. not on carpet. That screw will come out easily & I spent over an hour trying to find it in my carpeting once.

So beware & have fun with your new Omega.

I have a stainless Omega and by now most know I am not fond of the Tripple Seven powder in any form. My rifle seems to be particularly sensitive to the crud ring that 777 can form. I have tried all the "fixes" and at best I can get only one shot with a couple of spit patches and a dry patch between shots and the crud ring is still there somewhat. I don't know what your availability of other powder is but here is my preference in order of best to worst. Black Mag'3, American Pioneer fffg, Goex Pinnacle fffg, Pyrodex (dirty but easy to swab out and good accuracy), Real Goex fffg Black Powder, and finally Tripple Seven fffg. Pellets are not of interest to me. You may be one of the lucky ones that can shoot Tripple Seven and if so congradulations. If you find the crud ring too much to deal with then try one of the ascorbic acid based powders (which is what the first three I listed are). I would also recommend staying with heavier bullets. The Omega will shoot the lighter ones sometimes but the best accuracy and consistency I have found to be with 300gr. or heavier bullets.

Loose T7 has worked fine for me in most of my rifles.Yes you have to clean often but I do that with all powders.I do not get anything worse than other powders.

Ive found everything MLkieth said to be true for my omega . It likes 295 grain powerbelts, with 90 grains of black mag [which cleans much easyer that the others] in my gun .