Maxi-hunters
 

I've got a TC Omega. Last year I used TC Mag-express sabots. they were great for accuracy but I hate the way they load. Almost had to pound them down the barrel. My wife (who hunted with me for the first time last year) ikes the shock waves but those are even harder to load.

I had used Buffalo ball-ets in the past with a CVA & liked the accuracy but LOVED the way they loaded. I tried to use them in my Omega & they wouldn't group worth a crap.

I was thinking about using either Buffalo bullets(conicals) or Maxi-hunters. I really like how the lubed bullets load.

Anyone have any experience with either of these out of an Omega? Powder charge (I use 777)? etc?

thanks

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

Your going to get a lot more accuracy with sabots at extended range. Switch your sabot to an MMP 3petal EZ or a Harvester Crushed Rib on your TC Mag-Express. Also in the Omega Manual (I have an Omega) it says on page 60 that you have to swab between shots for best accuracy and easier loading. I swab with a 50% mixture of windshield washer fluid and rubbing alcohol.
Chap Gleason

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

A fair amount of Omegas will not shoot conicals well, with the exception of possibly powerbelts. You certainly can try some, but I spent 4 years trying before giving up. If you want to try, I would suggest starting at 80-90 grains as lower charges seem to group better.

One trick that I have not tried yet is to cut the cup off at the base of the sabot plastic and put it as a "wad" under the bullet. Then it might act like a powerbelt and shoot decently. Otherwise, cutting off the QLA may be the only way to get it to shoot them better.

If you can legally shoot sabots and they are accurate, I would simply try and find some that are not as hard to get down the barrel. Having not ever shot sabots, I can't help you there.

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

You need to get in touch with MMP and get thinner sabots...
There is no standard for bore diameter in ml rifles, so you have to make adjustments in the thickness of the sabot that you use in each gun...There is nothing wrong with the SST/Shockwaves, you just need to experiment with different sabots...

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

Finity,
Consider Hornady's 250g SSTs w/Low Drag sabots. http://www.grafs.com/fc/browse.php?q...=az&p=3419
Worked wonders for my CVA Wolf. Loaded as easy as using MMP's 3-petal sabots.
Would try 100-120gr T7. Good Luck!
James

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

I just got my omega last week and am shooting right now 370g maxi balls. Im not a fan at all of the performance on game from the maxiball, the maxihunter i never shot at game.

1 3/8" groups @ 100 yards which is more than respectable but i am going to be using powerbelts as always. No clue how they will shoot but it should do really well.

Dont go over 80 grains with the maxi hunters. TC has some seriously shallow rifling and i think the groups would open up a lot with more powder.

Powerbelts are also one of your choices to give a go with. No fumbling around with trying to put the bullet back in the sabot. No messy lube which really gets your blood pumping when you accidently knock over the box of conicals.

i'd suggest the 295 aerotip powerbelt with 80 grains triple 7 if you go that route.

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

I actually remember reading somewhere that the Omega would not shoot cononicals, but then I looked in my manual and it said they would.I don't think it was designed for shooting conicals. Maybe a wad or corn meal would be the best between the bullet and charge, if ya just had to shoot them (Colorado, Idaho, etc). Sabot would be better. Chap Gleason

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

As far as saying they would shoot conicals, it depends on when you bought yours. When they first came out, they did say shoots sabots and conicals, but then the whole deal of the QLA causing problems with conicals came out and since then, they just state on their website that they are sabot shooters. And if you call them, that is what they will tell you.

As stated, you might get lucky and get one that will, because my brother and I both got identical guns on the same day, and his will shoot conicals ok, but mine won't .

It is certainly worth a shot to see if the gun will shoot them, but I would never buy an Omega with the idea that I was going to shoot sabots, because it might never shoot them well.

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

In your omega, if the sabots are loading hard get a pack of Harvester Crushed Rib sabots and change out the sabots. Also Omega's can take a good powder charge and hold true. I would load 100 grains and try that combination.

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

im surprised. ive used the 370 maxi ball in my new englander and others for many years. 70 grains of pyrodex and most all deer shot no more than 30-70 yards have been bang flops. the maxi hunters are hollow points and shoot better in the faster twist rifles like the thompson center scouts from what i remember. the maxi hunters shoot o.k. im my 1-48 twist barrels but for the most part the regular maxi balls rule!

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

The Maxie hunter is one of the few bullets I have never been able to get to shoot in any of the guns I have had.
For the most part I load a wad a measure of corn meal and then a greased wad this usually works for me with Maxi balls or real bullets normally with 80 or 90 gr of RS or P,I have been playing with some 405 and 460 conicals and while they will group well you will never be able to call them flat shooting. The Sabertooth with group quite well with my normal loads but some people say they have had a problem with them slipping out of their sleeve, Power belts will group well even with a good stout load but if you want to shoot over 80 gr RS with them you might want to fill the Hollow Point with melted solder and have them level when you do it and fill them level so all weight close to the same. { some of us have had trouble with the fragging when putting a decent load behind them, it irks me to pay that kind of a price then have to rework them so if I cant use a sabot I often use a Sabertooth which hold together well and are much better priced.
I have been using an Omega for 3 years and us MMP-HPH 24 sabots in mine but it sounds like you need one of the thin ones or a Crush Rib, I would recommend a Crush Rib. Lee

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

I went to the range & was able to put a few maxihunters down the barrel. after sighting in, thefirst (& only, ran out of time)group of 3 was about 1 1/2 " at 50 yards. the last shot was a dead bull. :DI'm shooting 100 gr 777. maybe i'll try 90 gr & see what happens

I have never heard of MMP or crush rib. Is there a good source for them?

I tried powerbelts & they didn't seem to group well & the price was terrible.

thanks for the help.

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

http://www.mmpsabots.com/

http://www.harvesterbullets.com/sabots.htm

http://www.grafs.com/muzzleloading/3417

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/deptsearch3x.asp?dept=%4D%55%5A%5A%4C%45%4C%4F%41% 44%49%4E%47&dept2=%43%4F%4D%50%4F%4E%45%4E%54% 53&dept3=%53%41%42%4F%54%53%20%4F%4E%4C%59

RE: Maxi-hunters
 

If powerbelts dont shoot in the omega, i'd send the barrel back to TC as it clearly has a QLA problem! I traded for an omega some time ago and it really looks like i got lucky and have one that will shoot conicals.

There are also the 300 grain cva buckslayer "or deerslayer" conicals that are out there but if you couldnt get the powerbelt to group, i dont see much hope for any other conical.