Illini_Sportsman

I'm going to FINALLY shoot the Omega tomorrow. I don't expect to reach this distance right away, and certainly not anytime this week, but with 100 grains of Pyrodex Pellets and a 250-grain TC Shockwave Sabot, is 200 yards out of the question eventually? If so, what would 150 grains of Pyrodex do to flatten out the trajectory. I've always heard of 200-yard capabilites of modern muzzleloaders, is there any truth to it? If my setup will work, can I sight-in at 100 or should I go 150 or what? Should I go down to a 200-grain Shockwave? I'm only hunting whitetails. Thanks!

MOTurkeyTamer

200 yd. performance is easily had with an Omega .50 muzzleloader. I use 110 grs. Triple Se7en ffg over a 200 gr. T/C Shockwave sighted 3" high @ 100 yds and that puts it about 3" low @ 200 yards. And the accuracy is excellent with this load! Give it a try, I think you'll be very pleased.

Illini_Sportsman

Do you think 150 grains of powder could have the same effect with a 250-grain Shockwave?

Roskoe

Yes - the 250 Shockwave will beover 2200 fps with three fifty grain Pyrodex pellets in your Omega. I use two fifties and a thirty with excellent results - get around 2050 fps. Either of these loads are good 200 yard performers, as is the 200 Shockwave with 110 of T7. I would probably try all three of them and use whichever groups the best. Good luck. Roskoe.

bowtech die hard

Here's the thing about shooting 200 yds, and trust me I've extensively studied this. You can do it, but the best way to do it will be with 150 grains of powder.

Here's the thing about 150 grains of powder: Most guys claim they shoot it which they might, but the thing is, they are probably not burning all of that powderin their barrell by the time the bullet leaves the barrell.

This is the way to do it: To shoot 150 Grains of powder in pellett for you MUST shoot Triple 7- Here's the thing: Shoot the 30 grain pelletts. Shoot 5 of the 30 grain pellets, not 3 fifties.

The reason behind this is because with five thirties they will all burn because there is more space inbetween the powder pellets so the ignition will light all of the powder by the time it leaves the barrel.

If you use the three fifty grain pellets they don't all get completely fired. We've chrono'd our guns, (I shoot a t/c encore) and the five thirties show 100-130fps increase. You should be able to get close to 2400 fps, maybe not quite but close. Make sure you use the triple 7.

Happy hunting

Roskoe

I have never tried the Triple 7 pellets; but have been pretty happy with the Pyrodex pellets. Accuracy and velocity are both good. I wonder if the same principle applies to the Pyrodex pellets . . . . a stack of 30's will burn better than the same weight of 50"s?

Paul L Mohr

I would worry less about trajectory and more about accuracy at those distances. If you get any kind of accuracy out of a 250 grn bullet and 150 grns of powder I will be surprised.

I had to go with a heavier longer bullet with a better BC to get the accuracy I wanted at those distances. I suggest looking at the Precision Rifle bullets if you want that kind of range. And pellets probably won't cut it. Loose powder will let you work up a much better load for accuracy. Faster is not always more accurate.

Paul

dmurphy317

I agree about the accuracy and about the 150 not being neccessary. Interesting about the 5-30's vs the 3-50's, may have to try that.

I just spent some time shooting the 250 ShockWaves yesterday. I was shooting 100gr of 777 2f and comparing it to 100gr of BM3. Both loads printed within an inch of each other at 50 with the 777 being a little tighter. I wish I had a chonograph to check the speed (anyone clocked these loads?), I'm guessingit's around1850fps. I wasn't seeing any big advantages, accuracy wise, in the BM3 so I moved out to 100 with the 777 load and checked the grouping. Out of 3 shots, 1 was a flyer that I pulled and knew it, the other 2 were 1" high centered in the same hole 1/8" group. After that I moved out to 200 to fine tune/check what it would do. Printed a couple of inches right and 10" low 1.5" group. BTW, I didn't swab between shots and only cleaned the bore once due to plastic fouling during the 20 shots I shot. If I adjust to 3" high at 100 it should be about 6" low at 200. I think that should work just fine.

I also tried the BM3 with the 460 No Excuses bullet. My standard load with it is 90gr 777 2f, 777 at 50 - 1/4" group, BM3 at 50 - erratic, maybe 10" group. I will be doing some more testing with the BM3 but so far in my gun it seems more consistent with the smaller bullets.

Roskoe

David - that's some pretty good shooting. I have also gotten very good groups at 200 yards with the 250 Shockwaves - pretty consistent 4 to 5 inches with the 130 gr. Pyrodex pellet load.

Did you notice any difference in recoil between T7 and BM3? It is my understanding that 100 gr. of BM3 is the equal, in terms of velocity, to 120 gr. of T7 or 150 gr. of Pyrodex. I'm still trying to get my hands on some without coughing up the hazmat charge.

By early next week, I hope to have a terminal report on the 250 Shockwave. We are going to the ranch in New Mexico over the weekend to try and fill some cow elk tags.

dmurphy317

I didn't notice much difference in the recoil but I'm not that recoil sensitive. After all the reports of BM3 working better with heavier bullets, I was shocked by the results with the 460's. It does make a lot of white smoke but at nearly twice the price of 777 and the difficulty of getting it, I'm not impressed enough to switch yet. More testing will give me a better picture before a final decision.