Thompson Omega 50 cal- Trouble sighting in

rodg04 · Oct 7, 2009

I've been having a lot of trouble with my t/c 50 cal. I bought the muzzleloader new with a nikon prostaff. Had trouble sighting it in. Could not group my shots. I sent the scope of for evaluation. In the meantime I bought a new burris scope. Experiencing the same problems. Nikon scope came back with nothing wrong with it. I'm using 777 150gr w/ tc shockwave 250gr sabots. I had the muzzleloader hitting the center of the target @ 100 yds until my 4th shot because I decided to clean up and shoot again to make sure it was still in sight. Well I shot again and my shot was way off. Unbelievable! Could it be possible that my gun can't handle the 777 150gr? I've know of 3 other ppl using the same set up and their guns are dead on. Any suggestions? 130gr? could it be the muzzloader itself?

FrontierGander · Oct 7, 2009

100 grains. 150 is nothing but a waste of powder and as you found out, not very consistent.

www.thepowerbeltforum.powerguild.net

RidgeRebel · Oct 7, 2009

I shoot 150 grains of T7 Pellets from my Omega with 285 grain Barnes Spitfire and have no trouble with consistency. My groups at 100 yards from the bench average 2". But I clean after every shot while on the range and in the field using 1 pre-saturated patch then 1 dry patch. Maybe you have tried this but try firing 1 or two caps after you clean it. I think your inconsistency is from shooting from a fouled bore and then a clean bore. Just my thoughts.

RidgeRebel

txhunter58 · Oct 7, 2009

Muzzleloaders are NOT centerfire rifles. Each one likes a litte bit different combination. What works in one gun may not work in another one. You have to try different combinations of powder and bullets and find the "sweet spot" for that particular gun. First thing to try would be dropping the powder. I would start with 90 gr, shoot 3 times, up to 100 gr, shoot 3 times, 110 gr, etc and see if you can get some consistency.

Yes, 150 gr may work great in some guns with some bullets and not work worth a crap in other guns. AND there is no real need to use 150 gr. My elk load uses 90-100 gr of powder. You don't need the extra powder, so unless you are getting exceptional accuracy, and don't mind spending the extra cost of the powder, why not try lower powder charges?

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

hntbambi · Oct 8, 2009

Sounds like clean vs fouled bore issue more than too much powder. Swab between shots to keep things consistent and see what that does for you. Yes, in my Pyrodex guns I do swab between shots in the field also. It takes less than a minute to do.

I was using a Talley mount/ring unit on my Omega and I could not get enough vertical adjustment in my scopes. I installed a +20 MOA Ken Ferrell mount and bingo, I was able to zero the gun as desired.

regularjoe · Oct 8, 2009

I've shot Pyrodex pellets, White Hot pellets, and BH209. I have not shot any load over 100 grains. Out of the pellets, the White Hots shot best. When I switched to the BH 209 I started at 100 gr. and my groups matched the White Hots (3" @ 100 yds). I dropped to 90 gr. and I am now shooting a 1 1/2" group @ 100 yds (no scope). Try the BH 209! I also shoot the 250 gr. T/C shockwave. I agree that anything over 100 is a waste of powder.

couesdeer · Oct 8, 2009

If you want to stick with 777 place a dry patch in your mouth and get it good and wet with spit then run it 1 time down the bore. Do this after every shot and your groups will tighten up. TC bores are tight and don't do well with fouling. Four shots with 777 may be trouble especially around the crud ring 4-5 inches in front of the breach plug. I also suggest switching to BH209 then you don't have to worry about it. If you want pellets, pryodex is recommended over T7 from TC Arms.

rodg04 · Oct 9, 2009

I tried 100 grain today and still had no luck getting my muzzleloader sighted in. I tried something out. I swapped my stock over to a Z5 muzzy that my brother has. His stock has the thumb hole and I shoot left so it was uncomfortable to shoot. I took a shot at 50 yards. Hit 1 in above target. Took a shot at 100 yards. 3 in above target. I'm pretty convinced that my barrel is bad however I did not try the same scope. Both scopes are new....

elkantlers · Oct 9, 2009

Rodg04, I bought my son that exact same rifle last year when he turned 14 and was having the same problems. It's not the rifle, it's the bullets. The TC shockwaves tumbled when they came out of the barrel. Every now and again you could se where the bullet went through the paper side ways. I switched his bullets to the Hornady FPB, a 350gr bullet. The difference was night and day. He was then able to get very good groups.

Last year he killed a cow elk with it at 125yds. This year he got a buck deer at about 100yds. Both shots were through the heart and complete pass throughs.

By the way, we use 100grs of Pyrodex. I agree with others that have said that 150grs is not needed.

couesdeer · Oct 10, 2009

Rodg04, I had the same problem you are experiencing. I went thru 2 scopes I thought were "bad". Even sent the gun back to TC for testing which they did and were great about it. What I found out is it was an issue with 777, thats all. Once I went back to pyrodex at the recommendation of TC and now to BH209 no more issues. I too had bullets tumble, I found the backs of the sabots were burned thru and the bullet was separating in the barrel due to the fowling from 777. The sabot burned thru the base and the gas pushed the bullet away from the sabot while still in the barrel.

If you still want to shoot 777 but you need to run a wet spit patch between EVERY shot or you get too much fowling from the stuff.

You might have the QLA checked for squareness as well. What year is your gun?

BlackHorn 209 is the cleanest, best thing I have ever shot thru a muzzy. Save yourself some headaches and dump the 777.

coolspringoutfitters · Oct 12, 2009

Rodge,
Check this out...
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID14/2077.html

I was going to do a follow up with longer range shots, but I ran out of time. I am getting 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards. The bullets are moving at just over 2700 FPS with this set up. Just for fun I tried some longer shots and it was VERY accurate. But I do agree with everyone, every gun is different... Even if they are two Omega's. They can shoot different. So, get some BH209, and get out there and get it done...

CSO

It's all about the good times...

hntbambi · Oct 12, 2009

... The bullets are
>moving at just over 2700
>FPS with this set up.

Exactly what setup are you getting 2700 fps with? Unless its a Savage with smokeless, I think you have typo.

Steelermadman2002 · Oct 12, 2009

Thank you for posting this, I also am having a very hard time getting my Omega to group. I use Blackhorn (tried 100 to 150 gr) with Federal Primers and Dead Center 260 grain bullet. I am going to go to a heavier bullet and try that, sound like Hornady and Shockwave will be the two.

Andy

couesdeer · Oct 13, 2009

Be Carefull!! max with BH 209 is 120 grains not 150! I could not get dead centers to shoot in my Omega either although some TC's shoot them great. I would try the superglide bonded shockwaves from TC, the Barnes T-EZ 290 grain or any of the Scorpion PT-Golds (260 or 300). Currently I am shooting the 265 (44 cal) and 325 (.458) grain hornady flex tip bullets in crush rib sabots and MMP sabots respectively. They are designed for lever action rifles using a bonded core bullet exiting the barel at approx 2000 fps. I will be using the 325's on an elk hunt next week.

Greg

coolspringoutfitters · Oct 13, 2009

Hey thats what the chrono said... click on the link for the info of what I am shooting...

CSO

It's all about the good times...

hntbambi · Oct 13, 2009

Ha, so your trying to tell us that your gun is shooting:

"TC Omega, 90 grains BH 209, Winchester Primers, and Hornady SST 300 grain bullets with Low Drag Sabots" is going 2700 fps? Wow, mine must be near 3000 fps then as I am shooting 120 gr BH209 in mine.

-

Ya might move the chronograph a little farther out as you can be getting false readings from the blast.

Steelermadman2002 · Oct 13, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-09 AT 06:11PM (MST)[p]Greg,

Thanks my typo, I meant 100/120.....I will give the Shockwaves a try, need to get this thing figured out, only have 3 weeks to get in shooting great.

Andy

AlleninNM · Oct 14, 2009

I think (hope) CSO meant to say this load was moving at about 1700 fps and not 2700. The linked post indicated BH209's estimate of 1850 with 100 grains of BH209.

If I am incorrect and CSO is claiming 2700 FPS from a 90 grain load of BH209 using a 300 grain bullet, then I would have to suggest additional chrono sessions with the load. And to also suggest that NO ONE attempt to reach the 2700 FPS mark with a 300 grain bullet.

Steelermadman2002 · Oct 18, 2009

Follow Up,

Today took my Omega out. 250 GR T/C Shockwave, 95 grains of Blackhorn, with Remington Klenbore Primers really happy with my groups 1-4 inches at 100yds.

Started at 100 grains of Blackhorn, groups were 2-6 inches, tried 95 grains groups tightened up noticeably, no reason to tinker any more......last three shots were tight.

Andy

couesdeer · Oct 20, 2009

Andy - Nice when it all comes together. I shot the new FTX 265 grain hornady bullet in a harvestor sabot and 325 grain FTX (flex tip for lever action rifles)in a orange MMP sabot this past weekend over BH 209 loads. Both shot right at 1"- 1 1/4" groups at 100 yards out of an Omega and Bone Collector. I recovered several of the bullets out of a dirt bank. They mushroomed perfectly and held together perfect.

Good luck on your hunt. We are off for elk Tomorrow!
Greg

coolspringoutfitters · Oct 21, 2009

Sorry, you guys are right, it was 1700, not 2700

. My bad...

CSO

It's all about the good times...

IAhunter · Nov 26, 2009

I had a bit of trouble with my Omega as well when using 777 and Powerbelts. I am now shooting the Hornady XTP 240 gr. sabots on top of 2-50 gr. Pyrodex pellets. That load did a nice job at about 80 yards on a young UT muley buck last year. It seems that this rifle is getting more accurate with more shooting.

Rem308 · Nov 26, 2009

Try some Hornady Low-Drag sabots / bullets.I am shooting 90 grains of FFF Triple 7 and a 250 bullet low drag sabot and getting 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards.

whopperstopper · Feb 23, 2010

I've had a bad batch of T/C 250 shockwaves. Usually pretty consistent weights but one batch weighed from 249.2grns on up to 250.4grns. I no longer use T/C's, I switched to Precision Bullet QTs Polymer Tip Spitzers. Every batch I use I will pre-weigh just to make sure and these bullets are always dead on.

tesmitty · Feb 23, 2010

LAST EDITED ON Feb-23-10 AT 09:07PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Feb-23-10 AT 09:03?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Feb-23-10 AT 08:28?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Feb-23-10 AT 06:35?PM (MST)

Day 1- TC Omega 50 Cal, BH 209(100gr), CCI 209m Primer, TM-EZ 290 Gr Spitfire - 75yrds

Day 2 TC OMega 50 Cal BH 209 (100gr), CCI 209m Primer, TM-EZ 290 Gr Spitfire - 30Yrds

Day 3 - TC Omega 50 Cal Bh209 (100gr), CCI 209m Primer, Barnes TM-EZ 290Gr Spitfire - 175 yards

3 Bulls - 3 Days - 3 Guns - 1 Load : 100% Satisfied