I have just ordered T/C omega .50, but after reading so many posts on loads I have to admit I'm more cunfused. I'll be using for deer season. Some threads I read guy's don't like sabots because of plastic fouling. They say use conicals but don't they need to be put in a sabot? I'll be shooting about 100yd tops. So should I use heavier or lighter bullets. Or does it come down buying a some of each and just practice. The gun should be here in week, so I figured I get what I need. Seems to be alot of seasoned shooters out here, with alot of knowledge. Any suggestion?

What is the rate of twist in the barrel? I like to shoot a sabot with a 240gr Hornady XTP and 2 50gr pyrodex pellets...

There are conicals that are full bore like Colorado conicals and there are conicals that need a sabot. Essentially the sabot is a 44 or 45 cal. bullet sitting inside a 50 cal. sabot. The sabot bullets used to be pistol bullets but have since been improved. I live in Colorado so I have to use full bore bullets, but have used Hornady 240gr XTP sabots down in Florida out of a Hawken and got great accuracy. You just need to scrub the plastic fowling out when you clean the powder residue. If you are going for deer then pretty much any bullet will do the job very well. Buy a few different ones that you like and go to the range to see wich one shoots best.

Looking at the specs on T/C's website I see that the Omega has a 1-in-28 twist. This twist is the current "standard" for .50 cal muzzleloaders, and is designed to shoot sabots and the longer conical bullets. For sabot bullets, I would try a .44 or .45 cal bullet weighing 240-300 grains, or a .40 cal PR QT bullet in 215-235 grains (it sounds like an awfully small bullet, but I use the 235 in my Knight with 100 grains 777 3f and it'll wreck a whitetail and will shoot inside of 3" at 150 yards). For conicals, I've always used Hornady Great Plains in either the 385 grain HP or the 460 grain flat point. These are slower flying bullets, but they're very accurate out to 100 yards and both hit like a freight train.

I haven't had too much problem with plastic fouling shooting the current high pressure magnum sabots. They are made out of a much tougher plastic (nylon I think) that's hard and slick. I've shot as many as 25 shots at a sitting and have only had negligable plastic fouling. I spit patch between shots and the 25th bullet loads as easily as the second. The Hornady bullets are pre-lubed, and also load very easily with minimal leading.

For a wealth of additional bullet selection info try:

http://www.prbullet.com/question.htm

These guys know a heck of a lot about muzzleloader bullets, and seem to tell it straight without all the hype.

Good luck,

Mike


Gun control means putting the second bullet through the same hole as the first- Ted Nugent
NRA Member
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -Ben Franklin

I think it really does come down to you, your gun & practice. When I first got my inline several years ago, I too was confused. I just decided to buy some different weights, powder, etc and play. I ended up with the Hornady 44 cal 240 XTP Sabots with 100 gr pyrodex pellets (2 x 50). They shoot nice groups at 100 and have performed flawlessly in the field for me. I have now taken 6 animals with this setup and couldn't be more pleased with the results. Like anything else ask 10 people your sure to get 6 different answers.

I personally haven't had any problems with sabot foulings, at the range I do barrel swab after each shot on most occasions. In the field I have never needed anything more than the initial shot.

Good luck and boy is it fun!!!!!!!

Itenerate...you hit it on the head when you asked if it comes down to practice. Its a trial and error deal...every gun/bullet/load/shooter combination is different. There are just too many variables. If you want to find out what is best for you, you'll have to try all the different combinations (and there are hundreds of them!). On the other hand, if you dont have the time to do that before you plan to hunt this season, I recommend you find a combination that is "good enough". Doesnt have to be perfect. If you can hit a pie-plate sized target at the distance you expect to need this season, you'll be fine. One more bit of advice if you take this route...if you are going to sacrifice a bit of accuracy for this season, I suggest you go with the Barnes hollow point sabot ( I think its called the Barnes X) because it does a tremendous amount of damage. Its designed to break into 4 pieces...three smaller pieces separate and travel out from the central big piece and spread out to do damage away from the point of impact while the big piece pentrates deep. I use it and its great.
Good luck,
SC

Thanks for the input,I will use your advise on the range. Driftrider that is a pretty informative site, as a new BP shooter thier FAQ was real helpful.

Just to let you guys know (I am NOT affiliated with any business), Richard McCullough has operated http://www.r-vmarketing.com/ for quite some time. He is now having to close the business due to his military orders and selling his remaining inventory at half price. Still has a significant amount of bullets and accessories left, primarily for .50 and .54 caliber. Be a chance to buy some bargain bullets and help a military guy out. He also sells the PRBullets so you might find some bargains on those.