Problem Reloading Sabots in the Encore 209x.50

[Lawful Larry]

While I was testing different bulles 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 spear 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:

[Thebear_78]

after a few shots there gets to be a lot of buildup in the barrel that makes loading the rifle a lot harder with sabots.  Some powders are better than others. Pyrodex powder tends to make the bore sticky after a few shots.  Usually a good brushing will make things a lot easier.  Try a really good cleaning with one of the  special solvents for taking out all of the plastic fowling from the sabots and then using a lot of T/C bore butter before loading to help keep the powder buildup down.  its usually best to stay away from petroleum based cleaning products.  Also be very careful that when you are loading those stuborn sabots you are very careful not to put side pressure on the butstock.  The most common way to break Encore stocks is loading the blackpowder barrels.

[Redhawk1]

I have always found sabots a little hard to load after several shots. I use bore butter when I load sabots. I switch to power belts in my 50 cal and don't have that problem anymore. Also you may want to post this in the modern inline Muzzleloader section and see if you get more replys.  

[Sean]

Some Sabots seem to be tougher than others. The ones that Barnes uses are also very hard to start but deliver the best accuracy in my rifle. Do you use a short starter? One option maybe to test several bullets and/or sabots to see if one that starts a little easier will hit to the same point of impact as your preferred load. Use the harder to start as your first shot and the easier for a quick reload in the field. Admittedly, this is not the ideal solution but it may be workable. Sean

[2eagles]

I have had the same problem.  That new Shockwave was almost impossible to load in my Encore.  Then I got smart and ordered some Dead Center bullets from Precision Rifle and the problem is gone and my rifle is shooting better than ever.  Go to their web sight to learn more.  You can also order Dead Centers from Cabelas.  Jim

[Lawful Larry]

Thanks for the info.  I will give it one more try and then if it doesn't work I will go back to lead conical bullets.   :wink:

[Bullseye]

If those are 45 cal bullets in the black sabots, try the 44 cal bullets in the green sabots.  They are much easier to load if they will shoot accurately in your barrel.