Can a bullet/sabot or PowerBelt be pushed through the breech to unload without firing? My guess without trying would be no.

I have a CVA Optima Pro .50 cal.

Well I have done it but its a tight fit and often times the bullet is ruined. Instead with a 32" range rod, push from the breech back out through the muzzle.

Gret tp Cayugad I never thought of it. thats what I love about this foarm little tipslike this. Goes to show you how manny little things can help.

Yeah, thats what I figured, next question might sound kinda dumb but this guy up in Alaska that makes custom bullets needs to know my barrel diameter very close. I don't wanna take a chance and order a big shipment of 500 rounds and have them not fit.

My thought is to run a powerbelt down to make sure it fits right by feel obviously, then send it to him.

TXFRNTLDER

In most cases not a problem, however in an Omega/Encore the threads will sometimes catch the skirt of the sabot and make it somewhat more difficult. When you puch out the sabot probably will be damaged to a certain extent, in case of a Powerbelt the damage to the skirt might force you to use the bullet for practice.... with other rifles and maybe your Optima they will push right out no problem... I still relegate the used sabot to practice...

Are you ordering from Dan at BullShop Conicals? If you are,what you might do is just have him make up a sample pack of some different weights and diameters. Call him and talk to him. Then, when you find the bullet that really works for you, then get some of the ones that work, in volume.

Another thing is have you tried No Excuse Conicals? They are a .503 diameter and come in 460 & 495 weight. If they are "loose" then go to a .504 at BullShops for instance. If they are tight, then drop to a .502.

In my Black Diamond XR I was shooting the .503 No Excuse Conicals real good. In my White Rifle I need the .504 diameter in 500 grain.

just some thoughts.

Yeah it's just that you pay the same shipping on 10 bullets that you do on 500. I inquired if he could send me like 5 bullets for a couple of bucks and it's a no go.

I push my bullets out all the time thru the breech, messes up the sabot, but so what they are cheap. I have no problem in the breech plug area. Chap Gleason Va

I have pushed PB's out through the breech. It will probably ruin them. Since they're gonna be ruined anyways, why not use a bullet puller, if convenient? That's the easiest way. I've done it and think it's much easier than unscrewing the breech plug, etc. Maybe it isn't. I guess it's a personal thing.

I have reused bullets and can tell you that they will fall far outside the group. I had a 2 inch group and then shot a reused bullet that was removed by a bullet puller. It fell way out. I suppose less damage would be incurred if you pushed the bullet out from the back. That would hardly do anything to flight. I've found out that. That's the best way, the bullet puller is the easiest.

that's my two cents

Yes I have done it quite a bit even on my Encore with little problem. No matter which way you decide to push the bullet out I would not reuse the bullet or sabot as they already have had one set of rifling cut into them and in the case of the bullet has already been slightly deformed by the loading process. You could probabally use them for target shooting but I don't bother I just throw them out.