Could someone share what might be a good starting powder/bullet load for a T/C Omega 50 cal, Thanks in Advance, Carl

Carl,

I shoot an Omega .50 and may be able to help. Max load per T/C is 150 grains of either blackpowder or Pyrodex RS. I shoot strictly loose powder.

Triple 7 FF would be a good one to start with. You'll have to back the max load down by 15% per Hodgdons site.

http://www.hodgdon.com/loading.html

I have a 110 gr. load that shoots sub inch 100 yd groups with Precision Rifle's Dead Center 250 and a 120 gr load that shoots the same size group with 300 gr DC bullets. Shock Wave's, one and a half inch groups with the same powder and charge. If I'm shooting well, I can get it to an inch.

With T7, start with 90 grs. and work up at 5 gr increments. Your Omega may not like what mine does. They're all a little different and picky. For bullets, try several different brands and weights. Mine will shoot 300 grain bullets, on a whole, better than lighter ones.

I'm playing with Blackhorn 209 and still working on "tuning" some loads. Max load is 120 grs. per Western Powder's site. 110 grains is my max here.

I never shoot over 120 grs., other than BH 209(less), in my Omega. The gain in velocity and terminal energy is marginal at best and the recoil is milder too.

I'm currently working on loads with Harvester Scorpion 260 gr bullets with T7 and BH 209 using their crushed rib sabot.

I'm testing all the time.

If you want to get more detailed info, feel free subscribe to my free newsletter. I talk about load development, accuracy and many other topics in detail and post range testing results too. Just a suggestion.

Be sure to read the manufacture's instructions regarding loads.

Hope this helps a little.

Paul

I've found that, in just about every muzzle loader I have, loads in the 80 to 100 grain range give me the best and most consistent accuracy. Whether with patched round balls or sabotted bullets, most of my hunting loads are 85 grains of powder.

Regardless of the powder/bullet combination, I usually start load work-up at 75 or 80 grains and start working my way up in five grain increments, shooting at least three shots with each load (usually five shots though).

I started out at 100gr, then when I felt comfortable I went to the magnum load of 150gr. I settled on 150gr for elk hunting. I needed the range and knockdown power. For deer, you should be able to stick to a 100gr load. Always consult your muzzleloader's instruction manual for safe loads. I shoot a T/C Hawken .50 cal and a Remingtion Genesis .50 cal.

All muzzle loaders shoot different, even in the same brand and model. Subscribe to huntnfool's newsletter. Depending on how your going to use it will determine your starting off suggestions. If your going to do a lot of shooting with it for just target then get sabots and cast your own projectiles and use 60 - 90 gr. That will even do a decent job on a deer at the 100 yard range. If you are just wanting to sight in and get familiar with it to shoot a deer up to the 150 yard ranges then try the various sabots, bullets, and powders to see what your gun likes with powder charges from 80 - 120 grs. A 350 gr bullet doesn't need to go as fast as a 200 gr bullet. If after bigger game or longer ranges then try the 100 - 150 gr feedings. REMEMBER TO CLEAN YOUR GUN THAT DAY NO MATTER WHAT POWDER YOU USE.