I didn't see a specific "black powder" or "muzzle loader" forum area, so I'll ask here.
I just picked up a T/C Omega 5 at KTP. Pretty neat gun. Got a cleaning kit, some primers, some sabot bullets, and some powder disc things. So far, so good. The front fiber sight was broken, so was able to have the archery guy put in a spare fiber, but it looks a bit small (skinny).
Anyhow, a couple newbie questions and observations.
1) How many shots is reasonable before needing to clean?
2) If spending time at the range, how thorough or not should cleanings be?
3) Accuracy was horrendous. Hoping it was me, and not the reason this gun was traded in at KTP.
4) I saw a youtuber video, who said to loosen stock, then tighten back screw first, then front; in order to improve accuracy. Anyone else hear that?
5) That ramrod is pretty tough to push down that dang pipe. I used a rock, so it wouldn't dig into my hand. Am I doing it wrong, or just need to grow a pair?
6) I didn't hurt myself, or do anything wrong, so that's a plus.
7) The relative simplicity of this is neat. I like that after the drama of loading and shooting, there is nothing left in the gun to worry about (yes, continue treating as if loaded, etc.)
8) This is not as inexpensive to shoot as I was thinking it might be. Do people use different bullets for training?
9) These disc things; can you use regular "powder" in these "black powder" guns also.
10) Any special formula. I think the guy set me up with something called 777 and these yellow sabots to start.
11) Do people have a better carrying system for components than the store bubble packages? I can't imagine these in the woods while hunting. I've seen the "speed-loader" tube things, but that doesn't account for the primers.
12) The breech plug removal wrench. I have a 7/16 socket which fits perfectly, but don't want to have to carry my big ratchet wrench around with me if I ever needed it in the woods.
13) What else do people actually carry with them when hunting?
14) What else do people bring with to the range?
15) Does everybody use two of those 777 pellets? Seems to work OK, and be a good compromise of boom and smoke. Not sure of actual FPS, but it's gotta be pretty good, as that's what a couple of the KTP guys said to use.
16) Right now, sticking with fiber sights. Is there an OK 3X or 4X tops scope that can take the BP blast? Looking for lightweight/compact/bright/inexpensive; not powerful or complicated (zoom).
17) Anything else I'm missing?
I just picked up a T/C Omega 5 at KTP. Pretty neat gun. Got a cleaning kit, some primers, some sabot bullets, and some powder disc things. So far, so good. The front fiber sight was broken, so was able to have the archery guy put in a spare fiber, but it looks a bit small (skinny).
Anyhow, a couple newbie questions and observations.
1) How many shots is reasonable before needing to clean?
2) If spending time at the range, how thorough or not should cleanings be?
3) Accuracy was horrendous. Hoping it was me, and not the reason this gun was traded in at KTP.
4) I saw a youtuber video, who said to loosen stock, then tighten back screw first, then front; in order to improve accuracy. Anyone else hear that?
5) That ramrod is pretty tough to push down that dang pipe. I used a rock, so it wouldn't dig into my hand. Am I doing it wrong, or just need to grow a pair?
6) I didn't hurt myself, or do anything wrong, so that's a plus.
7) The relative simplicity of this is neat. I like that after the drama of loading and shooting, there is nothing left in the gun to worry about (yes, continue treating as if loaded, etc.)
8) This is not as inexpensive to shoot as I was thinking it might be. Do people use different bullets for training?
9) These disc things; can you use regular "powder" in these "black powder" guns also.
10) Any special formula. I think the guy set me up with something called 777 and these yellow sabots to start.
11) Do people have a better carrying system for components than the store bubble packages? I can't imagine these in the woods while hunting. I've seen the "speed-loader" tube things, but that doesn't account for the primers.
12) The breech plug removal wrench. I have a 7/16 socket which fits perfectly, but don't want to have to carry my big ratchet wrench around with me if I ever needed it in the woods.
13) What else do people actually carry with them when hunting?
14) What else do people bring with to the range?
15) Does everybody use two of those 777 pellets? Seems to work OK, and be a good compromise of boom and smoke. Not sure of actual FPS, but it's gotta be pretty good, as that's what a couple of the KTP guys said to use.
16) Right now, sticking with fiber sights. Is there an OK 3X or 4X tops scope that can take the BP blast? Looking for lightweight/compact/bright/inexpensive; not powerful or complicated (zoom).
17) Anything else I'm missing?