Having Problems with Sabot bullets in my Encore???

[Lawful Larry]

I was over at the TC rifle board and someone said I should give this problem to you guys. Been to many different sites and they said come here.  Can ya help me fix this problem:

While I was testing different bullets in my BP Encore I found that the best groups were with the saboted bullets. However, I had a problem with the Hornaday 300 gr saboted spitzer point bullets. It was harder then hell getting the bullet down the barrel. This is with a good brushing after each shot and a very strong ramrod.

I like the saboted bullets, but don't know what I will do in the field with the ramrod that comes with the Encore. It is not as heavy and as strong as the ramrod I use at the range. Are all saboted bullets this hard to load in the Encore? Lead bullets go down real easy compared to the saboted ones. Help???  :cry:

[Vapour]

You could try 250 grain Hornady SST's, or my favorite, 200 grain Thompson Center Shockwaves (made by Hornady).  These both go down my .50 Encore relatively easily.

[scienceguy]

I know what you mean about tough to seat sabot loads.  My solution has been Powerbelts.  In three different muzzleloaders they have been very accurate, easy to load, and devastating on deer.  My standard deer load is 100 grains of Triple 7 and a 295 Powerbelt hollowpoint.  This load shoots into an inch in my Encore, and I can load three shots in the field without having to swab the barrel, no appreciable change in accuracy either.  My standard range practice is to fire a shot, spit patch the barrel followed by a dry patch.  Much has been said here about Powerbelts, both good and bad.  For me they have been wonderful.  I also replaced the breech plug of my Encore with the .25 ACP coversion unit.  You'll find several threads about that here also.  The conversion makes loading and cleaning easier and has eliminated the occasional flyer I sometimes got at the range.  I would suggest at least giving the Powerbelts a try.  A $12 pack is a small investment that might make your muzzleloading easier and more enjoyable.

scienceguy

[Keith Lewis]

I agree; the sabots are a bitch to load in my Omega also. I tried the Hornady SST and even changed the sabots to the Harvester ones which are supposed to load easier. No Luck still requires too much effort. I also have gone back to Powerbelts. I shoot 348gr. Powerbelts over two 50gr. 777 pellets. I also have the .25acp breechplug and so far think it is worth the expense. I will likely stay with that load for the Elk Hunt this year.

[Nic_58]

or my favorite, 200 grain Thompson Center Shockwaves

I would have to agree about the Shockwave 200 gr. in the blue sabot.  I have been shooting them out of my .50 caliber Omega and they are a true minute of angle load pushed by either 105 or 110 grs. Triple7 ffg.  I too tried the 250 gr. SST's w/ the Harvester sabots and they went down the barrel pretty hard but they shot excellent also.  But with a good swabbing between shots, the Shockwaves aren't difficult to load at all IMO.