m.t.hands

There are no muzzleloader bore-sizing laws like there are with centerfire rifles (SAAMI). On any given day, ALL ML manufacturers are allowed to produce 50-cal bores that range in diameter by as much as .07. I've witnessed one manufacturer with a 50-cal bore of .497.... another supposedly exact same barrel with .504

That is why it makes no sense for anyone to ask what bullet works best in his particular model rifle of the same caliber. Unless your rifle is the exact same dimensions as his, it's not worthwhile to suggest.... only worthwhile to mention what works best in only your at-home ML of the same name... nothing else.

hey 777, i agree but, you guys are not going to believe the maxi's we stuffed down the barrel and then checked the size on, not so much undersized but very rough, and removing the rough stuff was the only option, my friend sold his knight to buy this encore after seeing mine in action, his gun, the new to him encore, had a terrible barrel and when i post the pic's you'll be shocked, btw i'm not knocking t/c i love all the t/c stuff i have but you'll have to see these maxi balls we ran down the bore and back out to believe it.

this i agree with totally, we tried several rounds, everything i had maxi's, every sabot type bullet you could imagine, and the day we went to buy some powerbelts just to get the thing to load, was the day we ran into the smith that suggested lapping the barrel, now i'm not saying its the right thing to do but it sure help his encore and time was a factor. if you'll read my other post titlied aaahhhh success it will tell what we encountered...

and lastley this is not to start some urinary olympics, just some things that have gone on for me......and what has helped

best of luck to all..

Wow, great to hear from all of you! Thanks alot for your suggestions. LOL cayugad! I am already thinking of names! I'll let you all know my progress. Good luck in your upcoming seasons everyone.
Todd

It looks like what I was going to say has already been covered but I will add like Redallison says you season a cast iron frying pan not a steel rifle barrel.

I will keep using 777 pelletsand Powerbelts in my new Omega Z5, they load easily and quickly...taken two does so far in Kansas using that load in my Pursuit LT.

Ark City Larry... since you shoot a new Omega Z5.. what makes this model Omega different then the Standard Omega. I had someone ask me in an e-mail and since I do not even shoot an Omega, I shoot a Black Diamond XR I told them I had no idea. I was looking at the Omega Z5 in my MidSouth Shooter's Supply Catalog. Nice rifle but poor quality picture.

the only difference I can see is the rear sight is different......

I know nothing about the use of Teflon in a ML, but please note that no cook seasons stainless-steel cookware, only the cast-iron stuff! It may very well be that when rifle barrels were made of porous metals like cast iron or mild steel, that this seasoning business was a good idea. However, I have tried it, and it was a disaster in my barrels, which are made from modern chrone-moly barrel steel. I sure think it would be a waste of time, effort, and gun grease to try to season a stainless barrel!

By all means, shootlead bullets (or patched round balls!) to "lap" your barrel-BUT NEVERuse anything resembling lapping compound in it! (Unless you are expert in the lapping of barrels, which requires years of experience to be good at!) I know a few "lappers" who have ruined barrels, and not just ML barrels!!

777 - That's probably the most insightful comment I've read on this board since I joined a month ago . You git the gold star!! It helps explain why load results vary across guys using the same ML. Duh! One must determine thru trial and error what their ML likes to eat; suggestions from others are merely that...suggestions. Thanks again for the comment.

By the way, with the popularity of MLs on the market today and the increase in ML max loads over the last 10 years, why isn't there a bore standard governing the ML industry like SAAMI ? Seems like it'd be a good idea to me.

If they did go to a true standard bore sizefor muzzleloaders, think of the effect it could make on the projectile industry. We would not have to purchase hundreds of dollars worth of this bullet or sabot and try to see what the rifle likes. Just go to the store and pick out the one design that suits your hunting needs and work you load. Sure would cut down on bullet sales. Some might even go out of business or have to bring their prices out of the clouds. Actually I might be over simplifying it a bit, but it would make a difference.

With the old traditional style rifles that shot patch and ball, this was not such a big deal. We just increased the thickness or the patch or the size of the ball. Once the load was found the rest was kind of easy. You loaded and shot. I would hate to think how many different styles and weights of muzzleloader bullets I have tried in all my different rifles... I have a medium sized cabinet full of different bullets.