I'm just getting into muzzleloading this year as my non-hunting uncle won a TC Omega and I've been given first dibs on it! I'm satisfied I've got an awesome gun, or at least that's what I assume for the most part from what I've read, but now I'm looking at the powder and ammo I should use for my setup. I'm not an accuracy freak, but I do want to hit a deer at maybe150+ yards if the shot were to present itself, likely closer though. I've been told 100 grains of Triple 777 pellets are the way to go for charge. However, while looking for a quick and easy-to-use bullet I came across these "Speed Sabots." What areyour experiences with them and while they don't have to be the most accurate blackpowder projectile out there, are they at least in the ballpark for whitetail hunting? Are they really as easy to use as they seem? Also, will those Remington Kleanbore #209 Primers work alright or should I be looking at something else? Remember, I'm searching for reliability and ease-of-use while still being able to efficiently kill a deer, not necessarily the most accurate or hardest-hitting setup as long as it will get the job done. I'm completely new to blackpower hunting, but with a little help and encouragement I'm becoming very excited not only for bow season now, but for firearm season as well in Illinois this fall. Thanks a lot whoever lends a helping hand!

I personally do not shoot an Omega but I am starting to think that if you're going to use pellets then you can use 100, 120, or 150 grain with different projectiles and still get excellent accuracy. Especially since you want to be able to shoot out to 200 yards. Look at the 200 or 250 grain Shockwaves and try some of the different pellet combinations.

If you're going to shoot loose powder then I would not shoot over 120 grain of the loose powder. I would also use the same projectiles. That is a great rifle you have. With practice you might be able to shoot to the distances you want.... Also, I have no experience with the Hornady Lock and Load Sabots.

I shoot a Black Diamond XR and get excellent accuracy out of it. It has the same kind ofbarrel as your rifle, just a different action so I have been told.

Well maybe 200 yards is a stretch for a rookie blackpowder shooter, but I just mean I like the range and rifle-like characteristics over the slug-guns we have to use in Illinois unless we should go the route of the muzzleloader.

The speed loading sabots you speak of are given bad reviews at best from the American Rifleman and other idependent writers. To be honest it takes no longer to dump a second charge of loose powder from a speed loader than any pellet combination. Loose powder allows you to customize your shot as well. All you need to get started is a good base load and bullet to start with and customize it to your particular rifle. Then branch out and try other bullets/sabots and powder.

I will give you a base load of 100g Triple Se7en powder (FF or FFF) with a 250g Shockwave bullet cleaning with one wet, one or two dry at the range and you should move on from there. If you do a good job cleaning plain old 209 primers will work fine as well.
You get many more shots per $ with loose powder and in my opinion better accuracy and down range performance.

Illini Sportsman,
I've never seen a need for the Hornady lock & load speed sabots. I feel it's nothing more than a gimmick. It makes for a good commercial though! You can load every bit as fast with a regular speed loader. You can use the clear plastic tubes w/capsthat already come with the bullet/sabots. Just my 2 cents worth.

Ok, forget the Speed Sabots then. Is the advantageof loose powder over 777 pellets that substantial for the average deer hunter?

For loads up to about 120 grains or so, I think loose powder gives you a lot of flexibility in terms of tuning loads - and saves you a fair amount of money as well. However, the Pyrodex pellets seem to have the edge on burning efficiency when you get into the magnum charge levels. For deer hunting, at ranges of 150 yards or less, I would just stick with the regular standard loose powder at charge levels around 100 to 110 grains.I would second recommending the 250 Shockwave as a first choice bullet.

How difficult is it to accidentally crush a 777 pellet when trying to seat a Shockwave? Is there any trick to avoiding this?

Illini...I've been reading your posts on your Omega....I helped a gentleman set one up last week...He didn't want to mess with loose powder either...I used 2 Pyrodex 50gr pellets and a 250 Shockwave...We ended with about a 1 1/2 inch group at 100 yards...As he doesn't plan to shoot past 100 yards, we left it alone...The Shockwaves do load tighter in his Omega than in my Knight but it wasn't bad...If you want to try another load...pick up some 240 or 300 .44 caliber Hornady XTP hollowpoints (green sabot)...I didn't have any on hand but because these are thicker sabots and .44 instead of .45 they should load a little easier in the tighter Omegas....

I have my Knight shooting with 90 grains loose Pyrodex...sighted 2 1/2 inches high at 100 yards and only an inch or so low at 150...The biggest advantage of the Shockwave/SST design is the aerodynamics of the bullet...they are sleaker than the hollow point, pistol bullets we have been shooting for years so they shoot flatter with the same powder charge....
I don't care for PowerBelts as they drop like a rock past 100yards, tend to be inaccurate in my Knight, and I have not been impressed with the penetration on the deer that I have seen killed with them...That being said...My brother loves them...He uses the 295s...

Remember 2 things with a muzzleloader...1) Every time you load it you are hand loading that round....Much can be done to make sure it is the most accurate round for YOUR gun...For the first year just stick with the pellets and try to be consistant with the amout of seating pressure you put on the bullet...2)Every time you load that gun...You are making a bomb....So pay attention!!! Don't be distracted and do something stupid....like loading 2 bullets on top of the powder...Or not pushing the bullet all the way down to the powder....Or doubling up on the powder....Take your time...Have fun...
Check your "witness" mark after each loading...If you think you loaded the gun improperly...remove the breach plug and push out the charge...Doesn't take but a few minutes...Good Luck...

I haven't used the 777 pellets, but the Pyrodex pellets are pretty tough. If I load a gun for hunting and wind up not shooting it, I can push the load on through and the pellets look fine. In fact, I have shot some of those recycled pellets in practice loads - no problem.