muzzle loader problems
My son and I are having problems patterning our Omega .50 cal muzzle loaders. We are shooting 130 and 150 grain triple 7 loads with 223 grain powerbelt airo tip bullets, and a CCI 209M primer. We both will have a good shot, adjust the scope and be dead on, and the next shot can be 6 inches off either direction. In between shots we run a seasoning patch thruogh the barrel, (Bore Butter)We also use a nipple pick. Do you think the CCI primer is to hot? any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Dan
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I assume by your loadings of 130+150gr that you are using pellets. My personal recommendation is to stick with loose powder. Two of the smokepoles I shoot both use the same load and are very accurate even after 6-8 shots with no cleaning at all. After 8-10 shots the groups start opening up. The Remington 700ML shoots a 250gr conical over 80gr of T7. The Ruger 77/50 shoots a 240grXTP saboted slug also ovr 80gr of T7. In the Remington we run standard Winchester 209 primers and the Ruger still utilizes a #11M cap. Don't get bogged down with pellets-not enough versatility there; and don't feel as though you need a "magnum" charge. Every muzzleloader I've ever owned or 'tuned-in' for someone else has shot exremely well in the 80-100gr range for powder(T7 or Pyro P). I know it can get costly for testing but you always try a wide range of bullet styles and weights to find what your rifle likes best. The one with the pretty polymer tip may not shoot as well as any other straight lead conical. Try a Hornady XTP in a 44 or 45 cal in a green or black sabot respectively over 80-90gr of T7 or Pyro P. You may be surprised at the accuracy.
Men, like bullets, go farthest when they are smoothest.0 -
I agree, use powder, but if you stick to pellets, back that charge down to 2 pellets. 150 gr of 777 is a heck of a powerful charge.
Try using the bigger powerbelts. I think they make a 295 grain, give that one a try.
Also, guys are getting good groups with the Omega with the 250 SST and 100 to 120 grains of 777.0 -
I have had good results with 295 grain powerbelts & 150 grains of Hodgens T-7. I use the pellets so measuring is not a problem. If you are measuring to get 130 or 150 gr loads, it could be that you are off by a few grains each time. 0 -
I use 2 pyrodex 50 gr. pellets with a 300 gr Hornady XTP in my TC 209x50 Encore. Accurracy is 2 inch groups or less at 100yds. My groups are not as good (4+ inches) with 3 pellets. Good advice from all the above. 0 -
you may want to try different primers , i know my encore 209x50 encore is sensitive to primer brand , i would also STOP using the bore butter between shots , between shots I run a wet patch (with bore cleaner ) thru and then a clean dry patch 0 -
I shot one-inch groups with 295 gr hollowpoints. The only reason I'm not shooting them this season is my local shop ran out, so i had to finish sighting with 223 grain, same as you. They will suck--they're bad bullets. I'm planning to use up what I have and buy the heavier ones once again. Chances are, you would benefit to do the same.
O Lord,
grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can,
and the supreme firepower to make the difference.0 -
Thanks for the info guys, I was talking to the local sport shop and they said the power belt is being discontinued because of accuracy problems. They suggested using a TC Sabot and a sts primer with either 130 or 150 grain pellets, what do you think? I would like to stick to pellets this season so My son and I get used to the guns, our season is only a couple weeks out and Iowa is just after Christmas. We were told to be sure we can hit out to 200 yards in Iowa, that is the reason for the heavy loads, basically we figured a heavy load and a light bullet equalls flat shooting less hold over, Mayby were wrong with that thinking. What can we expect with a lighter load? say if were 4" high at 50 yards where will we be at 100 yards 150, 200 ect. Thanks Dan 0 -
The Ruger 77/50 I shot last year took a doe and a buck at 175yds and 200yds respectively. I took aim right for the boiler room on the doe and she went about 20yds before dropping. Point of impact was right where I had placed it. For the 200 yd shot I place the horizontal crosshair at the top of the spine and made a nice lung shot. You'd figure that buck was hit by lightning! I sight in 2"high at 25yds(again, 240gr XTP over 80gr loose T7). We've got a practice range in the back yard just for that reason but I still go to the range afterwards and verify point of imact at 150. Are you using a new scope or one you robbed off another rifle. I've seen too many accuracy problems associated with poor quality scopes, even brand new ones right out of the box. Sometimes its worth a try to put a different scope on that you know to be good and will hold zero uder heavy recoil conditions.
Men, like bullets, go farthest when they are smoothest.0 -
I, too, was not thrilled with my Omega groups, at only 50 yards, using 150g (3-50g pellets) of T7 and 245g Powerbelt Aero-tip Powerbelts during the initial sight-in.
So, I called T/C and talked to a very knowledgeable service gentleman. He strongly advised that only 100g of either T7 or Pyrodex pellets and either the 250g T/C Shockwave or Hornady SST, they are the same, was neccessary to efficiently harvest deer-sized game out to 200 yards AND to achieve maximum accuracy. He told me that I should be able to shoot 100 yard groups that touch each other with this combination. Said that the heavier charges will effect accuracy in a negative fashion. Said pellets or powder should produce like results. Also advised not to shoot the Powerbelts...they could fall out of the bore if the sealing cap came loose from the bullet and they are not as accurate. To each his own on that one...some guns like them.
As far as cleaning, he said to run a patch seasoned with #13 followed by a dry patch down the bore. Said they've done this after every shot when testing for maximum accuracy but, suggests doing it at least after every three shots.
I have also tried to email Gregg Ritz to see what he has found to be the most efficient and accurate loads for the Encore/Omega/Black Diamond but, can't get an email to go through.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to test this advice but, have high expectations after talking with T/C.
Lmbhngr0
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